Does The Bible Tell Us To Memorize Scripture?

Do we have to memorize Bible verses? Is reading Scripture enough? Since most people think they aren't good at memorizing Bible verses, let's see what the Word of God has to say about it. And I have some memory verse cards to help you!

Does The Bible Tell Us To Memorize Scripture?

May 24

~ Today’s Scripture Art and mini Bible study were designed to hunt for answers to the question: Does the Bible tell us to memorize Scripture? ~

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Do we haaave to memorize Bible verses? {Insert whiny voice.}

Or maybe a better question would be:

Does the Bible tell us to memorize Scripture?

Does God really want us to spend precious time memorizing His Word? Or is reading it enough?

What if we’re not good at memorizing? It’s so hard! Surely He understands if we struggle with it, right?

Let’s see what we can find out. After all, God likes to answer our questions!

James 1:5-6 (CSB): Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

Question 1 – Does the Bible tell us to memorize Scripture?

Deuteronomy 11:18 (ESV): “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

And that is just one of many.

Check out Proverbs 7:2-3 …

Proverbs 7:2-3 Scripture Art - The Bible tells us to memorize Scripture!

Does that verse ring a bell? It’s the inspiration for the name of this blog!

Ok ok, so it appears that God does want us to memorize His Word. Which brings us to the next question.

Question 2 – Why does God want us to memorize Scripture?

Here’s the reason David did it …

Psalm 119:11 (ESV): I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

And don’t forget Psalm 119:105 …

Why does God want us to memorize Scripture? Psalm 119:105

And there’s …

Joshua 1:8 (ESV): This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Also Psalm 1:2-3 …

Why should we memorize Scripture? Psalm 1:2-3

Good reasons, I’d say.

But …

Question 3 – What if we’re not good at memorizing Scripture?

I don’t have any real statistics, but it seems like 98% of all people think they aren’t good at memorization. If you are in that hypothetical 98%, I suggest you make John 14:26 your first memory verse! {grin} …

We don’t have to memorize in our own power!

Well, that’s good. But …

Question 4 – What if we don’t like memorizing Scripture?

Now there’s an honest question.

And I am happy to tell you that the answer is easy to do! You may remember that I wrote about Jeremiah 15:16 a few months ago.

What if I don't like Scripture memorization? Jeremiah 15:16

In this verse, the “eating” of the Word comes first, then they become a joy and delight.

Not the other way around.

So if you don’t like to memorize, my guess would be that you’re doing it backwards.

You need to start memorizing first – then the delight will come.

In other words – don’t wait until you want to memorize.

Just do it.

Question 5 – Is reading Scripture enough or do we need to memorize it?

See for yourself …

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV): And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

And don’t forget Colossians 3:16 …

Does God want us to memorize Scripture? Colossians 3:16

And if those answers aren’t convincing enough, consider this …

David (a man after God’s own heart) memorized Scripture.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV): I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Jesus memorized Scripture.

Matthew 21:42 (ESV): Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

That is one of many verses where Jesus quoted Scripture.

Ok, I think we’re starting to get the picture. It’s time to get memorizing!

Like yesterday.

For me, the easiest way to memorize is to read it over and over. I don’t make it complicated.

But if you need some practical tips on how to memorize Scripture, I highly recommend this book. In my opinion, it is the absolute BEST book on memorizing. I promise it will inspire you. Read my book review all about it here.

And to help you get started, I’ve put together some handy Memory Verse Cards with some of today’s verses. Carry them with you and read them over and over. It should also help you remember to have a “visual” of the verse.

So let’s not waste another minute. Memorizing, here we come!