The Power of Memorisation of Scripture
The Power of Memorisation of Scripture
Morgan Nel | ACSI Assistant Director
Jesus Christ is our ultimate example in living a fulfilled life. One aspect of His life is that He memorised scripture.
Jesus, the Word incarnate, knew the written Word, and quoted it all the time. He quoted twenty-four books of the Old Testament almost 180 times in the New Testament. It’s clear that he thought of the Scriptures as the ultimate authority in life and a way to understand the heart and desires of God. Why would we not follow the example of Jesus in knowing the Scriptures by heart?
We are called to memorise scripture. Colossians 3:13 says, “Let the Word dwell in us richly.” We are instructed to bind God’s law on our foreheads, teach it to our children, talk about it wherever we go, and make it an integral part of our lives (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). This command is life-giving and not burdensome.
Not only does memorisation renew our mind and transform our lives, but it helps us to resist temptation and to live in obedience.
More specifically, when applying memorisation practices at our schools, our learners benefit in various ways:
Retention: Children tend to retain information better when they memorise it, especially when they do so at a young age. By memorising Bible verses, children internalise the teachings and messages of the scriptures, which can stay with them throughout their lives.
Understanding: Memorisation often leads to a deeper understanding of the text. As children memorise verses, they may ask questions about the meaning of certain words or phrases, leading to discussions about the context and significance of the verses.
Spiritual Formation: Regular exposure to and memorisation of Bible verses can contribute to the spiritual formation of children. It helps instil values, principles, and beliefs that are central to the Christian faith, providing a strong foundation for their spiritual journey.
Application: Memorised verses can serve as guiding principles for children in their daily lives. When they encounter challenges or need guidance, they can recall the verses they’ve memorised and apply them to their situations, fostering spiritual growth and maturity.
Community and Connection: Memorising Bible verses often happens in a communal setting at school. This fosters a sense of community and connection among children as they learn and grow together in their faith.
Discipline and Focus: Memorisation requires discipline and focus, qualities that are beneficial for children’s overall development. It teaches them the importance of committing time and effort to studying and understanding God’s word.
Overall, memorisation of Bible verses is effective in discipling children because it engages them with the scriptures in a meaningful way, promotes spiritual growth, and equips them with tools for navigating life’s challenges.
Method for Memorisation of Scriptures:
- Choose a system you want to use to introduce memory verses to your class.
- You can use a memory verse book or use cards that are kept in a plastic container.
- Meditate and understand.
- Help the learner to read, meditate on and understand the meaning of the verse before memorising it.
- Write
- Learners must write the verse on the blank page or card.
- Avoid giving them a typed-out verse. There is power in them writing it out in their own hand.
- Write the topic or title on the first line.
- Write the Bible verse reference on the second line.
- Write the text of the Bible verse on the next line.
- Write the Bible verse reference at the bottom.
- Write the Bible verse reference on the reverse side.
- Example:
Assurance of Salvation
John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:28
John 10:28
Front of card
Back of card
-
- Always START with the topic or title, the Bible reference and the first line of the Bible verse.
- When you can quote this without a mistake, ADD the second line of the Bible verse and REPEAT FROM THE BEGINNING, that is, the topic, the reference and the two lines of the verse.
- When you can quote this without a mistake, ADD the third line of the Bible verse and REPEAT FROM THE BEGINNING, that is, the topic, the reference and the three lines of the verse etc.
- Do not memorise the Bible verse in separate pieces, because in that way you do not memorise the links between the pieces. Always start from the beginning, each time you repeat the verse.
- Always END by repeating the Bible reference once more, because the Bible reference is the most difficult part to remember.
Thus, the right sequence for Bible memorisation is the topic, the Bible reference, the text of the Bible verse and the Bible reference again.
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