I found this memorization technique a few decades ago and found it quite useful. I use it to memorize scriptures quickly, but it can be used in just about any situation where you need to commit passages to memory.
Let’s take a useful verse from the ESV. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
First, read the verse deeply and make sure you understand it completely. Spend some time meditating on it and drinking it in. Then take a note card and write the passage source at the top.
Next, read each verse aloud, and as you say the words, copy the first letter of each word on the card. I include the punctuation because it helps me with the next step. I always use lower case, except when it’s the first letter of a name. So the passage above looks like this (with each verse on a separate line):
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
ftwwitf, wanwwattf
ftwoowanotf, bhdptds
wdaaeloratkoG, atetctoC
Now, looking only at the letters, repeat the passage out loud. Look back at the text only if you absolutely have to. Take the card with you and go over it whenever you get a chance during the day. Try repeating the passage without looking, and look back at the letters only when you have to. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can memorize even long passages by breaking them into lumps of three to four verses at a time.
A great place to start is the Psalms. They make excellent prayers of praise and adoration, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession. Try Psalm 103, 51, 139, 32, and 143. These have been powerful ones for me.
Putting God’s own words into my heart and praying them back to Him all during the day, has made a huge difference in the intimacy of my relationship with Him. I'm positive it will do the same for you. Life is deeper now. God bless you.
Let’s take a useful verse from the ESV. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
First, read the verse deeply and make sure you understand it completely. Spend some time meditating on it and drinking it in. Then take a note card and write the passage source at the top.
Next, read each verse aloud, and as you say the words, copy the first letter of each word on the card. I include the punctuation because it helps me with the next step. I always use lower case, except when it’s the first letter of a name. So the passage above looks like this (with each verse on a separate line):
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
ftwwitf, wanwwattf
ftwoowanotf, bhdptds
wdaaeloratkoG, atetctoC
Now, looking only at the letters, repeat the passage out loud. Look back at the text only if you absolutely have to. Take the card with you and go over it whenever you get a chance during the day. Try repeating the passage without looking, and look back at the letters only when you have to. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can memorize even long passages by breaking them into lumps of three to four verses at a time.
A great place to start is the Psalms. They make excellent prayers of praise and adoration, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession. Try Psalm 103, 51, 139, 32, and 143. These have been powerful ones for me.
Putting God’s own words into my heart and praying them back to Him all during the day, has made a huge difference in the intimacy of my relationship with Him. I'm positive it will do the same for you. Life is deeper now. God bless you.
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