On September 18, 2018, Eliud Kipchoge won the Berlin Marathon with an incredible time of 2:01:39, setting a new world record for the fastest marathon.

The 33-year-old Kenyan didn’t get there overnight. Ultimately, a lifetime of practice and immense discipline carried him across the finish line.

Just like running, some are naturally better at scripture memory than others. However, no gets good at memorizing without practice. For the mind to reach its full capacity, the memory muscle must be stretched.

Though I had memorized scripture my entire life, at age 14, I discovered the power of scripture memory. I began memorizing large chunks of Psalms, Proverbs, and the New Testament. Since then, I’ve found that the more I’ve memorized, the easier scripture memory has become.

Whether you’re a young child or grandparent, here are five keys to starting and sticking with a scripture memory habit.

1. Priority

Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” As Thomas Watson observed, “The Word is the jewel; the heart is the cabinet where it must be locked up. Many hide the Word in their memory, but not in their heart.”

The Word in the head becomes the Word in the heart, as the Christian meditates on it “day and night” (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1). True meditation on God’s Word then leads to spiritual success.

Read more on why Bible memory is so important.

2. Place and Time

A quiet place and a predictable time develops a consistent habit. First, set a time of day to memorize. Next, keep your appointment and block out all distractions.

For myself, I memorize or review scripture during my morning quiet time, right after lunch, or before bed.

3. Passage

With 66 books in the Bible, 1189 chapters, and 31,102 verses, where should one begin?

Consider starting with an entire chapter. While some prefer to memorize only scattered verses, memorizing an entire chapter provides context, and is easier to review later.

You could begin with a short Psalm, like Psalm 1, 23, 121, or 127.

Or you could memorize an entire book like Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, or I Peter.

Or you might pick a series of chapters, such as The Sermon on The Mount, Psalm 1-10, or Genesis 1-3.

4. Process 

How should you memorize?

First, understand that consistency, not method, is the greatest key to memory. Simply “showing up” for your Bible memory appointment is a good start.

Second, take your learning style into account.

Here’s how I memorize:

• Listen to the passage at least 5 times to “break up the fallow ground.”
• Read and meditate on the passage.
• Memorize in 5 verse chunks.
• Review periodically later.

5. Practice

The ultimate goal of Bible memory is not simply to store knowledge in the brain; it is to gain wisdom through living out the truth.

Knowledge without wisdom breeds pride. Therefore, Bible memory is dangerous if not accompanied by meditation and application. God’s Word must transform the mind, heart, and life.

The Power of Discipline

Marathons aren’t won by short spurts of energy; they’re conquered by endurance. It’s the same with scripture memory.

If you memorize only ten verses a week, in just over 15 years, you could memorize the entire New Testament!

Eliud Kipchoge observed, “Motivation + Discipline = Consistency.” He also stated, “The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is today.”

No matter your age, the best time to start is today.

QUESTION: At the rate you’re memorizing today, how much scripture will you have memorized in 15 years?

Recommended resources

Blog Post:The Case for Scripture memory

Book:A Call to scripture memory