The Power Of Memory Work- How Do You Learn Scripture?

How do you learn scripture? Janis shares with us the importance of memorizing God’s Word, and some of the methods she has used!

The Power Of Memory Work

Recalling stories from my past I thought about what I had learned at a vacation Bible camp on the sand dunes of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada. I attended the camp with my younger sister for a week when I was about 5 years old. I find it marvelous to recall now that both my sister and I learned to repeat John 14:1-4. And we can still say it. We learned it in the King James Version.

“Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again I will receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also. And wither I go you ye know, and the way ye know.”
John 14:1-4

It astonishes me that it can flow from my tongue so easily. But that’s also how I learned to say the Lord’s Prayer and the 23^rd Psalm. Being young helps.

I don’t remember what method we used to memorize these verses, but I do know that learning Scripture as a child is much easier than as a grandma. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to learn Scripture.

hopestreamradio · The Power of Memory Work

How To Learn Scripture

This summer at a vacation Bible camp that I led I encouraged the campers who were ages 6-9 to memorize a short paraphrased scripture each day. One scripture was:

“God sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world.”
1 John 4:14.

The children memorized each of the verses using actions for the words, book, chapter and verse. We also played games to help us remember the verses.

We read in Joshua 1:8

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:8

We are to eat God’s Word – so that we know it so well that we can speak it when we want.

Why Is It Important To Learn Scripture?

I have learned some verses, with much practice as I returned to my faith 15 years ago. I have tried to learn chapters but I haven’t been able to recall those with much effectiveness. Either I need to put more effort or maybe more prayer into these studies. I did learn that when I add actions to the verses I can remember better.

Chuck Swindoll says:

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture.”

I find it amazing that not only does memorizing help my brain in other areas, but being able to recall Scripture has helped me in troubling situations and when I want to email a friend who needs comfort, strength or wisdom. Even if I can’t recall the exact words I can remember enough of the verse to be able to Google it and locate the verse.

Jesus used scripture to battle Satan and so can we.

Listen to Proverbs 7:1-3

My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 7:1-3

Have you attempted to memorize a verse, a passage or even a book of the Bible? How successful were you? I would love to hear your methods. Let’s encourage one another in this venture.

Do you want to understand more about our heavenly father? Contact us to learn more.

Janis Cox

In 2001, Janis gave her life to Christ. She started journalling as a way to organize her thoughts, feelings, and prayers. She is a member of two cross-Canada Christian writers’ groups, The Word Guild and Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship. She has had several articles and devotionals published. Janis has been a regular contributor to HopeStreamRadio since its inception in 2015. Contact us if you have any questions about the Bible or Christianity.

Janis has been blogging since 2008. In 2012 she published an award-winning children’s book Tadeo Turtle. She ran a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer for four years. Hope Stream Radio will be her first foray into broadcasting on a regular basis.

In addition to a career as a home-maker and teacher, Janis was a partner in a Canadian small business with her husband, Wayne. They currently reside in Ontario and winter in Mesa, Arizona. Janis and Wayne have three children with spouses and many grandchildren.

One of her favourite things is to tell others about what God has done and is doing in her life. Janis can be reached on her website, Growing Through God’s Word, on Facebook and Twitter.