Paul Tautges provides 6 tips for scripture memory he acquired from a little booklet written by Susan Heck entitled A Call to Scripture Memory.
- Work on memorizing when you are mentally alert and free of distractions.
- Stick to the same Bible translation until you master the passage.
- If you are having trouble with a certain verse of passage, put it to music.
- Another helpful tip is to try to teach the verses to your children or to other children.
- Remember you are not just memorizing words, but God’s words!
- Lastly, if you find yourself leaving out portions or phrases, ask yourself, “What logically would come next here?”
He also provides this “convicting illustration.”
Even as the New Testament church progressed, according to church history, many Christians cherished God’s Word much more than we do, and would memorize great portions of it. Tertullian (160-220 A.D.), an early Christian apologist devoted his days and nights to Bible reading, so much so that he even memorized much of its punctuation. Theodosius the Younger (347-395 A.D.), a Roman emperor known for making Christianity the state religion during his reign of the Roman Empire, could repeat any part of Scripture exactly. Thomas Cramer (1489-1556 A.D.), a leader of the English Reformation could repeat the entire New Testament from memory. Theodore Beza (1519-1605 A.D.), a French theologian who played an important role in the early Reformation could repeat all of Paul’s letters in Greek at age 80. Finally, Frances Havergal who wrote my favorite hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be” memorized the entire New Testament, the Psalms, and Isaiah, in her teenage years, and in her later years she memorized the Minor Prophets. She died at the age of 43, and had already committed 12, 935 verses to memory.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
