“Re-Memorizing” the Scriptures

Don’t memorize the Scriptures… “Re-Memorize” them

Many of us struggle and fail at memorizing anything.  With that said, for some of us, we have been taught that memorizations was the only way for scripture to be written on my heart (Deuteronomy 11:18, Psalm 119:11, Proverbs 7:3, Jeremiah 31:33).

As we continue to work at scripture memorization, we believe that the author of salvation can write the words of truth on our hearts in many ways.

Memorization quick-loads our short term memory. “Re-memberization” is of another order. It slow-loads our long term memory. Here’s an example from J.D. Walt.

“Consider my grandmother (a.k.a. Meemaw), who had severe dementia for the last  decade of her life. She could not remember who I was, but the minute I started praying the Lord’s prayer or saying the Apostles Creed or singing “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” she was right there with me—every. . . single. . . word. . . This is because she was in church for some seventy years—every. . . single. . . Sunday . . . saying the Lord’s Prayer and declaring the creed and singing the songs. She slow loaded her long term memory. She had re-memberized it.”

Memorization is a brain activity. Re-membering requires soul level engagement.

Psalm 119:11. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. This “storing up” comes from the Deuteronomy 6:4-9 every day, all the time, when I lay down, when I rise up, when I walk along the road Word of God way of life.

In its fullest meaning, “re-memberizing” is leveraging the connection between movement, memory, and meaning. When we combine the movement of our bodies and an ongoing/continually-accessed memory with the meaning that is represented we re-memberize.

How do you do it?

First Word, Last Word, God’s Word.

Here are five steps to get you started re-memberizing:

  1. Choose a verse or collection of verses. This may be based on what you are studying or not. It’s your call.  Write the passage down on a 3×5 note card.
  2. Engage with the Word of God by reading the passage aloud first thing in the morning when you arise.  (First Word)
  3. Read the passage aloud sometime during the day when you get a free moment.  after you read it aloud, find a memory in your life that connects to the scripture.
  4. Read the passage again just before you go to bed, seriously, just before you cut the lights out and go to sleep. (Last Word)
  5. As you read the Bible, continue to write down new verses that stick out to you on 3×5 cards and add them to the previous cards you are “re-memorizing”. Rotate the cards every day, and continue these steps.