How to Memorize the Bible at Any Age
“Then Jesus told him, “Go Away, Satan! For it is written….” ~Matthew 4:10a, HCSB
When Satan comes attacking, the greatest weapon we have is the truth of Scripture. After all that’s what Jesus did when He was tempted by Satan. In order to be prepared, He had to have God’s Word memorized, which of course He did! Also notice in Matthew 4, Satan knows his Bible, and he uses it as a weapon by twisting it. But since Jesus knows Scripture in its entirety, he is able to fight back. We need to be on guard too! That’s why it’s so important to memorize Scripture. Otherwise, you might unknowingly encounter someone who takes the Bible out of context and be deceived.
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” ~1 Peter 5: 8b-9a, NIV
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.….” 1 Timothy 4: 1, NIV
Memorizing Scripture as a Young Child
Young children are sponges! They take in everything. My mother gave me the greatest blessing by sending me to Christian School. Each day would start with us reciting our daily memory verse, and it was graded! Talk about accountability. But what a blessing! Because of my Christian schooling, I have large chunks of the Bible memorized. No one can ever take that away from me, and the Holy Spirit can bring those passages to mind during the trials and temptations of life. He can use it to encourage me or keep me on the right path. This allows me to easily discern truth vs falsehood in a culture that has abandoned or confused truth.
Memorizing Scripture When You are Older
As you know memorizing is much easier when you are young than when you are older. However, you can still memorize things when you are older, you just have to do it differently. When you are older the mind is fuller, but you can use that to your advantage.
Learning Changes the Brain
Even though your brain may not be as young as it once was, it still has some neuroplasticity. Did you know that through a process called neurogenesis, 700 new neurons are added to your hippocampus every day? When you learn something new, your brain actually changes! Think about it: If you learn something new about God, your brain actually changes to be a little bit more like God.
Making Connections
According to the Science of Learning Portal from the International Bureau of Education, “Most learning in the brain involves rewiring or making and strengthening connections between neurons, the cells of your brain most crucial for learning.” Therefore, I believe the trick to memorizing when we are older is by making as many connections as we can to Scripture. The more hooks we can hang the verse on, the more we are likely to remember it. Meditate and study the verses you want to memorize. You may not be able to recall them verbatim as you get older, but their truths will be written on your heart.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” ~Joshua 1: 8, ESV
“[Blessed is the one…..] whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” ~Psalm 1:1a,2, NIV
How Do I Start?
You can take any small passage of 3-5 verses and study them in-depth. You can use Bible apps, commentaries, and interlinear Bibles to help you not just read the verses but do a deep study. It’s also a good idea to read the larger passage surrounding the verses, so you have an idea of context.
If this seems too overwhelming for you, I’m developing pintables that will be available to my subscribers. The first 7-Day Memory Devotional I developed is on John 1:1-5. It will take you on an in-depth journey through those verses accompanied by a memorization plan.
Subscribe to gain access to the 7-Day Devotional on John 1: 1-5. You will also receive emails when new Memory Devotionals are published, so you can get exclusive access to those as well.
Get Accountabliltiy
It’s always good to have an accountability partner when trying to develop a new habit. Share this article with a friend who can be your memorization buddy.
