Happy September! In honor of a time of year that many associate with school, in this month’s post we’ll look at strategies for one of the most important learning endeavors for anyone of any age: memorizing Scripture. (Trust me—this will be good!) Then I’ll share some fun author updates and some upcoming events that I’m really looking forward to!
Tips for Memorizing Scripture
If you’ve been a Christ-follower for any amount of time, you’ve heard it at least once: “Memorize Scripture!” You know it’s a good idea, and might even have made sincere resolutions to follow through.
But how, exactly, do you memorize Scripture without a teacher to hammer it into you? Especially when your brain has the retentiveness of a sieve?
Here are eleven tips to get you started. Some might sound pretty rote, but all have helped me at one time or another in my own Scripture-memorization efforts. And finding strategies that work for you is worth the hassle—Scripture is, after all, the life-giving, soul-defending Word of God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He’s more than capable of aiding your memory. He cares about your spiritual welfare and knows better than anyone how essential His Word is to you.
- Set a timeframe. For example, plan to memorize one verse a week, or one passage a month. Be generous if you must, but pick something. If you miss your deadline (or beat it), you can always adjust it. But without a goal, you’ll probably never start or finish.
- Start easy. Short verses. Common verses. Verses from Psalms. These small victories add up over time, plus build your confidence for tackling longer passages.
- Tackle longer passages 1–2 verses at a time. When you move to the next verse, read the one before it to help link them together in your memory.
- Write the scripture out—ideally by hand. The focus, short-term memory, and self-checking involved will help you familiarize yourself with your subject. And the physical exertion of writing will help drive the lesson home.
- Recite the verse(s) out loud. With practice, your tongue will pick up muscle memory, which can help you keep going if your brain gets stuck.
- Make music with your chosen verse. The tune doesn’t have to be good. You don’t ever have to sing it to anyone. It just needs to be musical. Just sing the words to yourself in a way that makes sense to you.
- Keep the scripture in front of you. Many people suggest using sticky notes or index cards. I put verses on my computer’s desktop background. Phone wallpaper could also work. Wherever you put it, don’t just look at it—read it (or sing it) when you see it.
- Study the verse(s). Read the passage they belong to in order to know what they mean in context. Prayerfully reflect on them. Check out the original words in a Greek or Hebrew dictionary. For further insight, talk to a wise, godly teacher and/or consult sound, biblical resources.
- Invite a friend to memorize Scripture with you. You can check each other, encourage each other, and/or add a little friendly competition. Plus, there’s something special about reciting God’s Word with a fellow believer or hearing it spoken to you.
- Apply it. This is both the point of the exercise and the best way to retain what you’ve learned. When you face a relevant situation, recite your memory verse. Pray it. Use it to encourage someone.
Experiment to find tactics that work for you. Choose a scripture and get to practicing!
Behind the Screen
The past month has been something of a rollercoaster. After the book-launch flurry of June/July culminating in the amazing launch party at the Ranch (which is hands-down the highlight of my summer), I made a semi-successful attempt to slow down for a couple weeks to recharge. But with the transition from August to September, I’m gearing back up—and am happy to be doing so!
On Monday, September 1, I had the privilege of sharing my story at the Trinity Baptist Church senior adults’ Labor Day luncheon. Thank you again to Ann, Ron, and the TBC seniors for a wonderful time! Your support and prayers are an encouragement to me.
At the end of August, as many of you know, I started another insights/tips series on Facebook and Instagram, based on Just Megan. This one’s theme: making the most of challenges. These series are pretty fun to create—it’s amazing how one book really can be a gift that keeps on giving!
I’ve also been working on my next book projects, which I’ll share more about in a future newsletter. For now, I’d appreciate prayer for God’s guidance and providence in moving forward.
Thank you, and have a wonderful September!
Coming Up!
I’m getting ready for these two September events, which I’m very excited about. Come join me!
Breakfast and Book Signing
Saturday, September 20, from 7:30–9:30am at West Corinth Baptist Church, Mooresville, NC
Drop in for breakfast and fellowship and stop by my table to chat, get your copy of Just Megan signed, and/or grab a copy!
Dinner at the Ranch
Saturday, September 27, at 5pm at Wings of Eagles Ranch, Concord, NC
Enjoy an outdoor dinner, hear about my author journey, and support the nonprofit that changed my life—and continues to change thousands of others.
Help others find grace and resilience in the face of the unknown.
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Jesus loves you. Embrace His love and live it out.
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