Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

There is something good about memorizing Bible verses.

Memorizing Bible verses was just a part of my life going to a Christian school, but I’m convinced that it was a good thing for me. If I remember correctly, we had to memorize one verse a week in Bible class. I’m sure there were times when I really didn’t want to memorize a verse, and I know there were many times I never thought about what the verse meant. But it was still a good thing. God’s Word was still getting in me, and I’m amazed at how helpful it is now that I’m older. After all, God’s Word is powerful (Hebrews 4:12).

It is good for us to know God’s Word!

The Example of Jesus

Jesus gives us a great example in Matthew 4:1-11. Three times He is tempted by Satan, and three times He responds to the temptations by quoting Bible verses (in context). Jesus was in a fight, and He fought using God’s Word.

In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us that the Word of God is a spiritual sword. It is a weapon we use in our fight against spiritual forces. We need God’s Word to fight well.

I’m certainly not comparing myself to Jesus, but I know from experience the power of knowing Bible verses. As just one example, I can’t tell you how many times when I’ve been tempted to sin it has been a great help to quote 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

A Challenge

I want to give you a challenge – commit to memorize one verse a week. If you don’t like to memorize, or you find it hard to do, and it takes you two weeks, so what? You’re still learning 26 verses every year. But I have a feeling that if you commit to memorizing one verse a week, you’ll be able to do it. I think God will honor your commitment to knowing His Word.

Some Suggestions on How to Memorize Verses

I think it depends on the person, and there is no one right way to learn Bible verses, but let me offer a couple of suggestions:

Use memory cards. A lot of times I use 3×5 index cards. I will write the verse on one side and the reference on the other. I will say the verse over and over, and it always helps to say it out loud, section by section, until I have it down. The great thing about using memory cards is it makes it easy to review verses that you have already learned. You can just go through your stack of memory verses for review.

Fighter Verse App. I just found this app this week that I’ve downloaded and will probably start using to help me memorize verses. You can get the app for iPhone, iPad, and android. It does cost $2.99, but it will be worth it. There is also a website.

A Final Thought

How do you know what Bible verses to memorize? Well, I suppose any verse, because it’s a part of God’s Word, is good to memorize. So, start somewhere. (The fighter verse app gives a new verse each week.) However, one thing you can do is ask godly people you trust what are some Bible verses that are especially important to them. Pretty soon, you’ll have a good list of verses to memorize – and that’s a good thing!

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)