In Mary Mohler's second session of the Answers for Women Conference entitled, You Too Can Memorize Scripture, she spoke about the importance of scripture memory. She also highlighted a variety of memorization methods to help us achieve our goal but started off by reminding us that scripture does not merely contain the truth, it IS the truth and it should dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). Memorizing lots of scripture is not the goal but being transformed by the scriptures is the goal.
So how does scripture memorization transform us? Mrs. Mohler suggested these five ways:
- It transforms our view from earthly to heavenly
- Helps us hate sin and fight it
- Helps us give lost people a vivid picture of the gospel
- Enhances our testimony when we can weave scripture in
- Gives power and wisdom for counseling
Mrs. Mohler noted that over the years she has met many women who seem to think that the ability to memorize large passages of scripture is a gift. She pointed out, however, that remembering people's names is difficult for some but is a hospitality issue that needs to be worked at because we're all commanded to be hospitable. So in her opinion it's something to work at, not a gift that some people have.
When starting out with scripture memorization, Mrs. Mohler had some non-negotiable factors she felt we all needed to know:
- Prayer. Always begin with prayer. Pray that God would instill in you a love for His Word, that His Word would speak to you and that it would transform you.
- Use a reliable translation (such as KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV)--no paraphrases!
- Memorize it verbatim--don't skip over small words or use synonyms.
- Review, review, review. A lot. It may not seem to help you retain the scripture at first but keep reviewing and eventually it will cross over into your long-term memory. Commercial jingles and the Pledge of Allegiance are examples of how phrases can go from short term memory to long term memory with lots of review. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance day after day, year after year in school growing up, most of us can now recite it verbatim even though we may not have recited it in years! Ditto for those commercial jingles of yesteryear. You never forget it. So keep reviewing.
As for methods, Mrs. Mohler presented a few options for a variety of personalities and learning styles:
KITCHEN SINK METHOD- write passages on a recipe or index card and look at it while doing housework. Do a different card each week for six weeks. You probably won't be able to repeat the first card at the end of six weeks but repetition is the key. Keep reviewing!
ROTATION METHOD- write the scripture out and look at it once a day for seven weeks, then once a week for seven months, then once a month for seven years.
TOPICAL MEMORY SYSTEM (TMS) by The Navigators - if you're not sure where to start, this is a popular method that comes with pre-printed verse cards and a workbook to guide you through the memorization process in a topical manner.
SCRIPTURE MEMORY MADE EASY- you can memorize 100 scriptures in one year with this low-cost, step-by-step plan.
She also shared her own personal method which is somewhat like a Charlotte Mason method of scripture memorization. It involves using a presentation notebook with 24 clear plastic sleeves which she found at Barnes and Noble. She types and prints out the passage of scripture she is currently memorizing (usually an entire chapter) and puts the sheets into the clear sleeves to take around with her. She goes over it while traveling and also while working around the house.
At the end of the session, Mrs. Mohler recited for us Ephesians chapter 5 without a single mistake and with great inflection, encouraging us greatly by her example.
Part 7 of this Answers for Women Conference series will cover the final presentation of the conference given by Steve Ham entitled, Unity in Christ.
Resources:
- There's a great App for aiding scripture memorization called, Memorize Anything. Check it out!
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