Bible memory for the chronically forgetful

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Bible memory stinks.

Well, it doesn’t stink. Rather, I stink at Bible memory.

It frustrates me because I have so many great ideas of verses I want to memorize, but when it comes right down to it, I…forget to get right down to it. 

Sometimes I joke that I’d forget my own head if it wasn’t screwed on tight…I say it’s a joke, but deep down I know it’s the truth.

I forget to memorize Scripture, but when I do get something in my head, it’s not long before I also forget what I memorized.

My long-term memory seems have to have a leak. (Fun fact: I can watch a movie several times and still not remember what happened in the movie. Sometimes I don’t remember even watching it. Ask my husband about how much he loves that…)

I stink at getting the Bible into my head, but I love having it there.

What’s a busy, disorganized mom to do?

Should we even bother trying to memorize Scripture?

Yes.

A thousand times, yes.

Let me tell you why…

3 reasons to memorize Scripture:

1. Memorizing Bible verses gives structure and understanding to my life. 

The only way to truly memorize scripture is to meditate on it.

There may be some tricks, but the only way to get it to sink right down into that long-term memory is to meditate on it, day and night. 

Joshua 1:8 reminds us for this: “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.”

The process of meditating helps me to focus on God and say no to sin.

Many years ago, I memorized most of Colossians. (Don’t be too impressed, it took me the whole year and I only got through 3 chapters.)

But in the process of memorizing it, it truly sunk deep into my heart, soul, and mind and I found myself pulling to mind specific verses at least a couple of times per week.

They just kept popping to mind in various pertinent situations! There’s no way I would have put certain thoughts together had I not had Colossians percolating in my mind for so long.

TOOL TIP #1: I love the music from Seeds Family Worship! All their songs are simply Scripture set to catchy music, which is a fab way of getting the Bible stuck in your head. You can find them here or check out their free YouTube channel. The other day we were listening at the kitchen table and one of the boys just had to get up and dance!

2. Memorizing the Bible gives me tools to train my children. 

I don’t know if my kids are just unusual, but their deep spiritual questions come at the weirdest times, and usually when I don’t have a Bible handy.

It’s incredibly helpful to have verses right on the edge of my brain, ready to share with my kids, or anyone else who needs encouragement.

Memorizing the Bible for myself helps me grow in Christ, which gives me the ability to teach, rebuke, correct, and train my kids in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

TOOL TIP #2: I have found that praying nightly blessings over my children is one of the best ways to remember verses, because I’m praying the same verses every single day. To learn more about blessings, check out my free 7 day email course!

3. Bible memory helps me meditate on God when I can’t have a Bible open in front of me.

It’s hard to make time to really get into deep Bible study when you’re a mom.

I know. I’m there with you.

But you know what’s great about memorizing Scripture? You can do Bible study in the van…or on the soccer field..or in the bathroom.

When you have it in your head, anytime can be Jesus time!

TOOL TIP #3: Learning to Speak Life has a great resource called “Matters of the Heart”, which is a 52-week scripture memorization challenge for women. They have a paperback and PDF version of their book, a 52-week prayer and reflection journal, and 52 printable memory verse cards. Those cards look especially handy because I can post them around my house to read whenever I pass them in the hallway! Check out “Matters of the Heart” here.

I stink at getting the Bible into my head, but I love having it there.

So I’m going to try again. Will you join me?

I’m going to turn on some Seeds Family Worship, keep praying blessings over my kids, and follow along with the 52-week challenge from Matters of the Heart. (Following a guide will provide at least a bit of organization for my brain and will keep me from wasting time by flitting around!)

I hope you’ll join me. Let me pray for us:

God, help my friend and I to have a deep thirst for more of You, and to memorize more of Your Word. Give us wisdom and perseverance as we seek to do things that don’t come naturally to us. Amen.

And when we forget to remember or fall off the bandwagon, let’s hold out a hand and help each other back on.

Deal?

Deal.

love, Christie

PS If you’re struggling with feeling you have to DO IT ALL, especially as a Christian mom, I invite you to check out my “Start LITTLE” guide, which will help you do things like memorize Scripture by starting tiny habits that actually stick. Check it out here or pop in your info below.