Two Methods to Help Us Memorize

Hi Ladies!

I just want to encourage us all to keep working on our memory verse for this week. It is Colossians 1:13-14 from The Message Bible

Colossians 1:13-14

God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

I chose The Message paraphrase because it reminds me of my own personal life, most recently–Psalm 18.

You can also memorize it from the NIV. It’s shorter!

Colossians 1:13-14

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Two Helps for Memorization:

1. Repetition

a. I find that for me the best way to memorize something is to keep reading it over and over again (no memory at this point–just re-reading and re-reading.)

b. Then I begin to say it out loud by memory. I might need up to 20 or 30 tries before I remember it all.

c. When I forget, I just look at the words right away. I don’t waste time trying to remember what I don’t remember!

d. Keep the verse handy. I have the verse printed or typed in very large letters on a small card, perhaps an index card, which I prop up where I am working or carry in my purse or pocket or wherever. I cannot practice memorizing something if I don’t have it with me at several points throughout the day.

e. Eventually, by day number five or so, I find that I am beginning to be able to say the whole verse without looking.

f. Finally, it’s just a matter of repeating what I now know, until I REALLY know it, and can say it out loud at normal speed.

g. Being able to say the verse ALOUD is an important test of whether or not I actually know the verse.

Yes! This is hard work. Dietrich Bonhoeffer tells us that in the ancient church some pastors needed to demonstrate that they had memorized the entire book of Psalms before they could be ordained! (Think of all that we have lost by gaining the media.)

2. Writing

You might find the method that Wendy suggested easier for you:

a. Simply take a sheet of paper and begin writing.

• On the first line, just write the first word.
• On the second line, write two words.
• On the third line, write three words of the verse.

b. You proceed like this until the verse has been completed, or perhaps until you run out of paper (just joking!)

The important thing is to find a method that works for you and to not become discouraged. When we say the verse aloud at our next gathering, you will be amazed that you are not the only one who may have had difficulty memorizing the verses. I know that memorization does not come easy for me, and I am not just saying that.

The advantage of memorizing verses together as a group is that we are accountable to each other. I find this accountability very necessary for myself. What I mean is, I do not have the discipline to go through this process simply on my own.

Whatever else, be blessed and have fun!

Christina