Memorizing Scripture: 12 Simple Steps

When was the last time you tried to memorize Scripture?

The Bible teaches that there is value in hiding God’s Word in our hearts, but it’s an undertaking many of us don’t attempt very often.

Psalm 119 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Colossians 3:16 tells us to “let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.”  And Deuteronomy 6:4-9 goes even further by saying believers must bind God’s law on our foreheads, teach it to our children, talk about it wherever we go, and make it an integral part of our lives.

There is no question, memorizing Scripture is important—but it’s also intimidating. For this reason, we sat down with Karen Heimbuch, best known for memorizing and performing the entire book of Revelation. We asked her to give some practical advice on how to learn God’s Word by heart.

Karen also gave 12 simple steps for us to practice the valuable discipline of memorizing Scripture:

1. Choose a familiar portion of Scripture; a passage that has already been a blessing to you.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth—to help you “hide God’s Word in your heart.” Also ask for pure delivery. After all, you want to accurately convey God’s heart and “inflections” when you present His Word.

3. Re-format the text as necessary. Investing time in this step can easily cut the time needed for memorizing in half! Most Bibles are formatted for two columns per page, which does not always allow for ease in Scripture memorization. Re-formatting a text makes it much easier for the eye to retain whole phrases. For instance, compare a traditional two-column format with its re-formatted version:

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the
word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty,
sixty or even a hundred times what was
sown.”

“Others, like seed sown on good soil,
hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—
thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

4. Consider color-coding, especially when you recognize patterns.

5. Always read aloud when memorizing. Once the accuracy of your interpretation is confirmed, try rehearsing it that same way every time.

6. Visualize what you are reading. Discover the connecting dots. See the big picture.

7. Memorize a verse like you eat a sandwich: Bite by bite, phrase by phrase.

8. Look for key words, especially verbs and nouns.

9. Be sure to chew each bite! Look up any words you don’t understand in a concordance or Bible dictionary.

10. Use acronyms, rhythms or rhymes, even tunes, when memorizing lists.

11. Sustain flow of delivery by using gestures and inflections as needed.

12. Review what you have memorized during the day before you go to sleep at night.

“Karen’s Simple Suggestions” © 2010 by Revelation Media International LLC

 RevelationCD_product

The Revelation with Karen Heimbuch

In a two-disc CD set, this best-seller features the entire book of Revelation, as read by Karen Heimbuch, set to an original score by Michael Harriton and recorded by the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra. Once you start listening to this dramatic reading with a powerful background, you will not be able to stop. This is the perfect gift for those who know Christ as Savior and those who haven’t yet met the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Revelation is a worship encounter like you’ve never experienced before.

4 Comments

  • Nikko D. Atim says:

    WOW! Its very helpful!
    Thank You so much!
    :))

  • Jackie Hodge says:

    This is beautiful. The way she have set the Book of Revelation to music. To God be the glory. I would like to order the C d’s. Is there an option for DVD’s?? If so I would like DV Dee’s instead. God-bless you miss Heimbuch.. God-bless Haven Today.

  • Jackie Hodge says:

    Dear sir unfortunately I cannot afford to pay $25. I thought I could pay $10 I didn’t see the minimum was until F wasn’t till after I tried to submit.. But, I thank you very much I did enjoy listening to the 1st 2 minutes of it. I pray you all be blessed because I surely was from the little bit I heard. I am on the fixed income. Yes it’s so high, food is outrageous now. So, unfortunately I have to pass for now.

    • Corum Hughes says:

      Hi Jackie. I totally understand the limitations of a fixed income. Someone from the ministry will be in touch with you shortly about the possibility of getting the CD set at cost. I’m happy that you have been blessed by at least the opening excerpt so far!

1 Trackback or Pingback

Leave a Reply

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