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Hiding God's Word in Your Heart: Scripture Memory Tips
Practical strategies for memorizing God's Word and the importance of Christian meditation.
Plus scripture memory verses and scripture memory cards.
How can a young [woman] keep way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:9-11, 15-16
In order to be a usable vessel, you must not only get into God's Word, it must get into you. that's why
scripture memory is vital to your faith and spiritual growth. Otherwise, how can God direct you to those
who need to know him or those who need his comfort? Unfortunately, the New Age gurus and Eastern
mystics have given meditation a bad name. When we think of meditation, we think of chanting
"ummmmm" with our legs crossed, trying to drive away bad Karma.
Nevertheless, Christian meditation is an important tool for molding us into the kind of vessel God can
use. Does that mean God can't use us unless we're graduated with honors from Evangelism
Explosion? Not at all, God can use whomever he chooses. But the more we do to equip ourselves for
service, the more usable we will be in the Potter's hands.
Before we can meditate on God's Word, we must first hide it in our hearts. That's what scripture
memorization is all about. Memorizing Scripture offers so many benefits. Most important, it helps to
keep our thoughts pure. I don't know about you, but that's a real battleground for me. When I fill my
mind with Scripture, there's less room for all the other junk I've usually got hanging around up there.
A memory bank of Scripture also makes us more spiritually sensitive, which means other women will
seek our counsel. That way we'll have something productive to do, rather than moping around
wallowing in self-pity. I've battled depression since early childhood. And I've discovered that nothing
can lift me out of the mire faster than helping someone else.
Plus, when you know Scripture, you can have God-confidence in the face of demonic attacks. When
Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus responded with confidence. He knew
what God had said. Don't be duped like Eve, who fell for Satan's oldest line: "Did God really say... ?"
(Genesis 3:1) Remember, Satan is the Father of Lies and the only way to cut through his lies is with
the Truth. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." He also said, "I am the
... Truth." Know the Word and know your Lord!
Several years ago, I was listening to a Chuck Swindoll sermon over the radio while driving in my car.
The program was so excellent, I pulled over and jotted down his outline for Scripture memory. You
guessed it: on an index card. I'm an index card-aholic and I hope you'll become one, too. Here's what I
wrote:
Scripture Memory--Memorize, Personalize, Analyze
1. Set aside fifteen minutes per day for Scripture memory.
2. Choose verses that address your weaknesses. That way, you'll have a vested interest in
remembering them.
3. Read the passage aloud over and over.
4. Break the verse down into logical parts. Learn one phrase, then two, until you've memorized the
entire passage.
5. Repeat the reference often. (How many times have you searched for a verse in your Bible,
murmuring that spaghetti sauce motto "It's in there"? If you can't find it, it's not much good. Learn the
reference.)
6. It's better to learn a few verses really well, than many, poorly.
7. Underline difficult terms or key words. Look them up in the dictionary, a concordance, or Bible
reference book.
8. Write out the verse from memory. This is a critical step. Something about putting pen to paper
makes the words more permanent.
Thanks, Pastor Swindoll!
Here's a strategy I use that sounds crazy--but I promise it works! I write out the first initial of every
word in the verse, while looking at the passage. I set it down for a while. When I return, I try to
complete the words from memory. Repeat this process several times and you'll be amazed to discover
you remember that verse years later.
Another very effective--and very painless--way to memorize Scripture is with Scripture songs. Many
modern praise songs are scripture set to music. As you sing along, God's Word is making its way into
your heart. Ask your local Christian bookstore owner to direct you to cassette tapes or CDs. If you
have young children, try Steve Green's Hide 'em in Your Heart. It's a big hit at the Partow house,
especially with Mom and Dad. If you don't have young children, order it through the mail. No one has
to know you listen to preschool tapes all day long.
Whether you use memory cards, Scripture songs, or some other method, do hide God's Word in your
heart. God has promised that when we face temptation, he will make a way of escape for us (1
Corinthians 10:13). Often, a Scripture passage is the key that opens the door to freedom. I say carry
as many keys as you can.
To learn more about scripture memory, check out my best-selling book, Becoming a Vessel God
Can Use. It's a 10-week study that's been used by individuals and small groups on all seven
continents. It will change forever your understanding of what it takes to be used by God and to make
a difference in this world! Order your copy below
Practical strategies for memorizing God's Word and the importance of Christian meditation.
Plus scripture memory verses and scripture memory cards.
How can a young [woman] keep way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:9-11, 15-16
In order to be a usable vessel, you must not only get into God's Word, it must get into you. that's why
scripture memory is vital to your faith and spiritual growth. Otherwise, how can God direct you to those
who need to know him or those who need his comfort? Unfortunately, the New Age gurus and Eastern
mystics have given meditation a bad name. When we think of meditation, we think of chanting
"ummmmm" with our legs crossed, trying to drive away bad Karma.
Nevertheless, Christian meditation is an important tool for molding us into the kind of vessel God can
use. Does that mean God can't use us unless we're graduated with honors from Evangelism
Explosion? Not at all, God can use whomever he chooses. But the more we do to equip ourselves for
service, the more usable we will be in the Potter's hands.
Before we can meditate on God's Word, we must first hide it in our hearts. That's what scripture
memorization is all about. Memorizing Scripture offers so many benefits. Most important, it helps to
keep our thoughts pure. I don't know about you, but that's a real battleground for me. When I fill my
mind with Scripture, there's less room for all the other junk I've usually got hanging around up there.
A memory bank of Scripture also makes us more spiritually sensitive, which means other women will
seek our counsel. That way we'll have something productive to do, rather than moping around
wallowing in self-pity. I've battled depression since early childhood. And I've discovered that nothing
can lift me out of the mire faster than helping someone else.
Plus, when you know Scripture, you can have God-confidence in the face of demonic attacks. When
Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus responded with confidence. He knew
what God had said. Don't be duped like Eve, who fell for Satan's oldest line: "Did God really say... ?"
(Genesis 3:1) Remember, Satan is the Father of Lies and the only way to cut through his lies is with
the Truth. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." He also said, "I am the
... Truth." Know the Word and know your Lord!
Several years ago, I was listening to a Chuck Swindoll sermon over the radio while driving in my car.
The program was so excellent, I pulled over and jotted down his outline for Scripture memory. You
guessed it: on an index card. I'm an index card-aholic and I hope you'll become one, too. Here's what I
wrote:
Scripture Memory--Memorize, Personalize, Analyze
1. Set aside fifteen minutes per day for Scripture memory.
2. Choose verses that address your weaknesses. That way, you'll have a vested interest in
remembering them.
3. Read the passage aloud over and over.
4. Break the verse down into logical parts. Learn one phrase, then two, until you've memorized the
entire passage.
5. Repeat the reference often. (How many times have you searched for a verse in your Bible,
murmuring that spaghetti sauce motto "It's in there"? If you can't find it, it's not much good. Learn the
reference.)
6. It's better to learn a few verses really well, than many, poorly.
7. Underline difficult terms or key words. Look them up in the dictionary, a concordance, or Bible
reference book.
8. Write out the verse from memory. This is a critical step. Something about putting pen to paper
makes the words more permanent.
Thanks, Pastor Swindoll!
Here's a strategy I use that sounds crazy--but I promise it works! I write out the first initial of every
word in the verse, while looking at the passage. I set it down for a while. When I return, I try to
complete the words from memory. Repeat this process several times and you'll be amazed to discover
you remember that verse years later.
Another very effective--and very painless--way to memorize Scripture is with Scripture songs. Many
modern praise songs are scripture set to music. As you sing along, God's Word is making its way into
your heart. Ask your local Christian bookstore owner to direct you to cassette tapes or CDs. If you
have young children, try Steve Green's Hide 'em in Your Heart. It's a big hit at the Partow house,
especially with Mom and Dad. If you don't have young children, order it through the mail. No one has
to know you listen to preschool tapes all day long.
Whether you use memory cards, Scripture songs, or some other method, do hide God's Word in your
heart. God has promised that when we face temptation, he will make a way of escape for us (1
Corinthians 10:13). Often, a Scripture passage is the key that opens the door to freedom. I say carry
as many keys as you can.
To learn more about scripture memory, check out my best-selling book, Becoming a Vessel God
Can Use. It's a 10-week study that's been used by individuals and small groups on all seven
continents. It will change forever your understanding of what it takes to be used by God and to make
a difference in this world! Order your copy below
Scripture Memory Verses to accompany Donna's books:
Becoming the Woman I Want to Be
Becoming a Vessel God Can Use
Walking in Total God-Confidence
Living in Absolute Freedom
Standing Firm
2 Corinthians
Isaiah
Becoming the Woman I Want to Be
Becoming a Vessel God Can Use
Walking in Total God-Confidence
Living in Absolute Freedom
Standing Firm
2 Corinthians
Isaiah
