Record the Passage,

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. Psalm 119:27

Take the passage you decided to memorize and after you have written it down, then read your passage into a voice recorder, and play it back over and over. You can use a "walkman" or an MP3, or a "Pod" or any device that records so you can do this while you are shopping, driving, or just about anywhere (just not during church). This is what I do and it works!

· Use a recording device such as a tape recorder, MP3 recorder, or electronic digital voice recorder.

· For synergy to memorize faster and better, combine the audio and your reading together!

· This works and it works great!

Remember Persevere

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Psalm 119:14

Be persistent, and set goals in your endeavors to memorize God's Word. Once you have a good plan and discipline, stick to it, and do not give up. At the same time, be realistic and do not set goals that you cannot accomplish. (2 Peter 3:16).

· Apply the verse to your life; if His Word is not changing, transforming, and affecting you, seek why by asking Him. Memorization does us no good unless we are doing something with it. We are to submit and apply His Word, not just know it.

· Use an accountability partner with whom you can confer.

· An accountability partner can help in two ways-to check you and keep you steady on the journey and also to quiz you on your verses.

· Remember to keep it up; if you do not use it, you will eventually lose it.

· Keep track and arrange your Bible memorization cards in categories. Keep the cards you are currently working on together for daily review. Once you know a passage on your card, place it in a separate pile, so you can review once a month, and keep the ones you do not know well separated from the others so you can review them more often. You can also have a pile you can put together to do at a future date.

Now, you should have a verse memorized! Don't expect instant success; it takes time. For slow learners like me, it may take a month; for others, a week. Remember, it does take effort, but not as much effort or hard work as most people might think. There is no reason to dread or be stressed as you attempt to memorize God's most precious Word!

If this still seems overwhelming, take heart, you can do it. A lot of information is given; just do "the basic plan" at first. Once you have it down, look over the rest of the tools and tips and use these useful principles to develop your method. Also, try to start with baby steps-take on one short passage and engage it for 10 minutes a day for a month. Then, in the second month, increase it to 2 passages and 15 minutes, the third month, 3 passages and 20 minutes, and so on. Your goal is to spend at least one hour a day in devotions, Bible reading, prayer, and Scripture memory-free from distractions and a wandering mind. If this is too much and your mind wanders, just remember to break the time up throughout the day-one-third in the in the morning, such as your reading, then one-third memorizing during the midday, and the last one-third, such as your devotions or study, before bed. And, in each section, pray.

Questions to Ponder

1. What have you done thus far to place God's Word in your heart and Mind?

2. How will this help you to better do God's Will?

3. How will this allow you to live a more joyful and content life?

Now take your cards, record them and play them back and start to do some real efforts to know God's most precious Word!

© 1984, 2006, Rev. R. J. Krejcir, Ph.D., Discipleship Tools www.discipleshiptools.org/