5 Tips for Memorizing Scripture

Did you know that back in Jesus’ day, Jewish boys would learn to recite the first five books of the Bible (even Leviticus) by the age of 12!? Memorizing Scripture may seem difficult sometimes, but it is possible. I’ve never memorized the Torah, but I have been memorizing the book of Philippians. So far, I’ve memorized the first two chapters. I’ve also been serving in our church’s Kids Club to help teach memory verses to a group of six-year-olds. My dad suggested that I write a blog article sharing the ideas that are helping me memorize Scripture. Here are five tips to help you memorize Scripture.

5 Tips for Memorizing Scripture

1. Move it!

Come up with some motions to go along with the verse. They don’t have to be perfect. Just use simple movements that help you remember the words. For example, these are the motions I made up to help two of my younger sisters memorize Psalm 100:3.

Know that the Lord (tap the sides of your head)
he is God (point up)
it is he who made us (pound your fists together like you’re building something)
and we are his (point at yourself and then point forward)
we are his people (walk two fingers across your hand like a person walking)
and the sheep of his pasture (pretend like you’re petting a sheep)
Psalm 100:3 (hold hands out like a bible)

Here’s a video of my youngest sister and me using motions to say part of Psalm 100 together.

2. Sing it!

Sing the verse to the tune of a popular song like “Jingle Bells” or “Row Row Row Your Boat”. Or you can just make up your own tune to go along with the words of the verse. Here’s a verse song that I helped my dad record to help kids at our church memorize Titus 1:2. If you’d like more videos like this one, you should check out my dad’s YouTube channel. He’s got a whole playlist of memory verse songs for kids.

3. BREAK IT UP!

Separate the verse into smaller sections. Memorize those smaller sections one by one and then piece them together to say the entire verse. My dad says, “You memorize Scripture the same way you eat an elephant – one bite at a time.”

4. WRITE IT!

Write down the first letter of each word on a piece of paper and say the verse while looking at the card. This can help when you are having trouble remembering part of a verse. Looking at the card reminds you of the first letter of each word, but it doesn’t give the whole thing away. Here’s a picture of what it can look like. This card is for Philippians 1:1-2 and I can use it to give me a hint on what the next word is when I’m practicing the verse.

5. TEACH IT!

Once you’ve memorized the verse yourself, teach it to someone else and work on it together. For example, I memorized Psalm 100 and then I taught it to my two younger sisters. I came up with motions and worked on it a little bit every day. Teaching my sisters and reviewing it together every day helped cement the verses in my brain while they were learning it. Here’s a video of my sisters reciting the verse after a few weeks of working on it with me.

These five tips are helping me hide God’s Word in my heart and God’s Word is helping me trust God. One way that memorizing Scripture has helped me is that I can think about it when life is hard. My dad has a rare disease that makes it hard for him to do many things we wish he could do and it makes him feel awful a lot. So I memorized Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more neither shall there be mourning nor suffering nor pain anymore for these former things have passed away.”  This verse helps me remember that my dad will be better in heaven someday. This is a way that memorizing God’s Word has helped me and I hope these five tips for memorizing Scripture will help you to memorize more Scripture and hide it in your heart.

P.S. My Dad asked me to please say that anyone interested in getting MORE ideas to help people (especially kids) memorize Scripture, should watch his video, 5 Games to Help Kids Memorize Scripture. I helped my dad make this video and I use some of the games to help the six-year-olds at my church practice their memory verse every week.

Zach Hamilton
Latest posts by Zach Hamilton (see all)

 

11 Responses

  1. Audrey says:

    Wow! What a great first article by a talented young man!

  2. Aunt Kathy says:

    Good job Zach!! It is really good!

  3. Trish Plyler says:

    What great ideas!
    Thank you!

  4. Megan says:

    I love seeing your love for Jesus and teaching His word! The littles love you, and I appreciate the creativity you use. I 100% love the hand motions and singing for memorization. it has helped me as an adult! Keep up the awesome writing and sharing!

  5. Cheryl Smith says:

    This is really good, Zach! It will be helpful to kids and adults. I think it is wonderful how you are helping your sisters memorize Scripture!

  6. Brenda Broadfield says:

    This is a joy to see children praising God! Especially when it is an older brother helping younger sisters giving God the glory!

  7. Shawna Ellis says:

    Wonderful posting, Zach! It not only has helpful tips and teaching with concise directions, but also application. I feel that’s very important! Tip #5 really resonates with me. I have trouble motivating myself to learn something if it’s “just for me,” but I thrive on learning so I can teach others!

    I’m excited to see more content from you.

  8. David Jacola says:

    Excellent! All great ideas to help countless people to hide God’s Word in their hearts! May the Holy Spirit use this and His Word mightily!

  9. Love these tips! Keeping kids engaged when learning scripture is super important. Keep up the good work!

  10. Keith Spaugh says:

    Great article, Zach! Very practical, useful, & helpful hints. Thanks for writing, sharing, & setting a good example!

  11. Tammy says:

    Thank you! Can’t wait to try some of these scripture memory games!! God bless you.

Leave a Reply to Audrey Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *