Top Tips on How to Memorize Bible Verses
This content may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Learn more at the bottom of this page or read my full disclosure policy.
Do you struggle with how to memorize Bible verses? Are you looking for simple tips on how to memorize Bible verses easily?
In this post you’ll learn 7 fun ways to memorize Bible verses and tips for How to teach a child to memorize Bible verses.
Ready to dive in?!
7 Ways to Memorize Scripture
Does the Bible tell us to memorize Scripture? In a round about way, yes! In fact, that’s how most people learned Scripture in Jesus’ day. There were portions of Scripture that were written down but not every one had access to them. Mostly Kings, Scribes, Rabbis, and their students. So for people to take the Scripture to heart they had to go where it was being taught and commit it to memory. Below are a couple passages that speak to the importance of memorizing Bible verses.
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 success.
Joshua 1:8
“The book of law” referenced here describes the portion of Scripture they had at that time.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16
You’ll likely remember this next one from the Psalmist.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11
And this encouragement from Paul to Timothy.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
Getting a hold of Scripture today is so much easier than it was back then. Memorizing, however; can still be a challenge.
Here are 7 fun ways to memorize Bible verses.
- Try a Bible Verse Memorization App!
- Turn Scripture Memorization into A Game!
- Create Bible Verse Memory Cards
- Try Scripture Writing
- Meditate On What You’re Memorizing
- Try Bible Journaling!
- Listen to the Bible
Click here to jump to the free How to Memorize Bible Verses pdf!
Bible Verse Memorization Apps!
I think its hilarious that when you google Bible verse memorization apps, one of the questions associated with it is “how to memorize a Bible verse in 5 minutes.”
Apparently I’m not the only one who wants to know how to memorize Bible verses fast! And a great way to do that is to memorize Bible verses online (or through apps like) with tools like Bible Memory: Verse Locker and Verse in My Heart.
In Bible Memory: Verse Locker you can practice memorizing verses in almost any translation at whatever pace works best for you. The app includes audio and visual tools and strategies for memorizing Bible verses. Plus, you can keep track of the verses you’ve memorized by organizing them in collections!
Verse In My Heart Bible Memory App has less options for Bible translations but its simplicity and smooth design make up for it. Unscramble Bible verses, fill in the blanks, choose the right references, and before you know it, you’re memorizing Bible verses! It also includes a smart reminder alarm to encourage consistency.
Bible Verse Memorization Games
If you ever wondered how to teach a child to memorize Bible verses, this section is for you! I use these methods for myself but they are also really great for kids. Take notes!
- Bible Verse Hop-Scotch
- Fill In the Blank Bible Worksheets!
- Bible Verse Scramble
Bible Verse Hop-Scotch! Write the words of each Bible verse on note cards and put the note cards in different patterns on the floor (if you can’t think of a design, use a hop-scotch layout). Read the Bible verse out loud and have your kiddos (or yourself) hop on the words as they hear them. Arrange the cards in different patters to practice the same verse more than once.
Fill In the Blank Bible Worksheets! These are super simple to put together. Grab a piece of notebook paper and at the top of the page write down the verse you are teaching your kids. A couple lines down, rewrite the verse replacing a couple key words with “fill-in-the-blank” spots. A few lines lower, write the verse a third time replacing a few more key words and a couple conjunctions. Have the kids fill out the worksheet. Need a visual? Check out the free Bible Verse Memory worksheets on this page.
Bible Verse Scramble. Or unscramble. That probable describes it better. Choose a Bible verse to memorize and copy the words of the verse onto multiple note cards. Mix up the cards and lay them out on the floor or on a table. Have your kiddos unscramble the Bible verses by taking the note cards and putting them in order. Feel free to offer hints as needed.
How to Use Bible Verse Memory Cards
How else can you use Bible verse memory cards besides games? Here are some suggestions.
Create A Scripture Memory Wall. When you come across a Bible verse that resonates with you write it down and use tape or a pin to stick it on the wall. Spend a couple minutes each day reading through Bible verses. After a couple weeks you’ll have a collage of Bible verses that you’re training your brain to memorize and recall.
Create Bible Verse Prayer Cards. Use index cards to write down Bible verses that you are praying about. Stick them in a prayer box, prayer journal, or in your Bible.
You can find fancy prayer cards for specific topics here.
Put Bible Verses cards in strategic places around your home. Think of the high traffic areas of your house. The kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room walls. Write the Bible verse you’re trying to memorize on multiple cards (the repetition alone will help with the memorization) and place them in those areas of your house. This will train your brain to recall Bible verses you hear AND see.
How to Memorize Bible Verses Using Scripture Writing
Read it.
Speak it.
Write it.
Scripture writing is that easy. I’d love to take credit for this idea but I can’t. Neither can anyone else in this day and age. Using writing to memorize Bible verses dates back to the ancient kings of the Bible.
Getting started is as simple as pulling out your Bible, flipping to any passage (the Psalms are a great place to start) grabbing a notebook or pen, and writing the verses as you read them.
Some people commit to one Bible verse a day. Other people opt to write whole Bible passages or chapters. Scripture writing is a go to tool for memorizing Bible verses because it engages almost all your senses; sight, sound, speech, touch. 4 forms of engagement. Four times the repetition. If you’re wanting to learn how to memorize Scripture fast, Scripture Writing Journals are perfect for that!
Click here to see how I use mine!
Meditate On What You’re Reading
When I look back on my Scripture memory practices, what worked and what didn’t, and try to answer the question how do people memorize the Bible – the thing that works best for me is meditation. Not the new-agey type but the biblical type like David describes in Psalm 119 (learn more about that here).
To meditate on the Bible simple means to think about and engage with the Bible. So how can you turn meditation into memorization?
Talk about it with friends.
Think about it through out your day.
Pray about it.
Write it out.
Live what you learn.
Click here to learn more about biblical meditation and what it actually is.
Try Bible Journaling!
Bible Journaling is especially fun if you’re they artistic type. You can use Bible journaling to turn memory verses into visual art or capture and date verses in pen. And it all happens right there in the pages of your Bible.
Click here to learn more about Bible journaling and how it can help you memorize Bible verses here.
Listen to the Bible
In a lot of ways, memorizing the Bible is very similar to memorizing song lyrics. The more you hear them, the more they stick. That alone explains why the use of audio Bibles has increased so much over the past couple years.
Thanks to apps and the internet, finding an audio Bible is as easy as a google search.
You Version allows you to listen to certain Bible translations via their free app but my all time favorite Audio Bible is the Dwell Audio Bible App. It’s like there’s a real person on the other side of the phone reading to you. While most Bible apps have robotic voices, Dwell Bible readers (there are several to choose from!) are engaging. They read with intention and inflection.
Through Dwell you also have the option to listen to ambient music in the background. You can listen to curated Bible stories, daily reading playlists, and topical reading plans. All great ideas for how to memorize Bible verses! It’s rad. And totally worth the cost. Test it out for yourself with their free 7 day trial!
How to Memorize Bible Chapters
I was in elementary school the first time I memorized a chapter of the Bible. It was Psalm 1. Interestingly enough this assignment didn’t come from our church, from Sunday school, or even day school. It came from my mom. She was a huge part of helping those memory verses stick.
I remember she would read the passages with us and we’d turn it into a competition. Who could get the furthest before we had to open our Bible up for a refresher. Before I knew it, I had memorized Psalm 1.
I tried the same approach with my kids during Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). We sat down each night together and read Psalm 27. I’d read it once while they listened and then we’d read it again together. Finally, we’d close the Bible (I always marked the page with my finger) and together we would recite what we could remember, referencing the passage as many times as we needed to until we reached the end of the passage.
Lots of smiles. Lots of laughs. And lots of Scripture memory. When it comes to how to remember Bible chapters (their reference place) I’ll admit I usually fall back on remembering just the chapter. But because I’ve read it so often and understand the context of the passage, it’s never been a problem. I simply tell people,
“In John chapter 8 when so and so it talking about __xyz__ we are encouraged with these words.”
And because I know what chapter I’m talking about, I can easily turn there and then find the verse. I’m sure one day I’ll get to the point to where I can quote the passage, the reference chapter AND the reference verses. But full transparency – I’m not there yet.
Get Our Free How to Memorize Bible Verses PDF!
I hope you enjoyed this quick start guide to how to memorize Bible verses fast and accurately!
If you loved this list and would like to keep it on you, you can download our free How to Memorize Bible Verses pdf here!
And for more Bible Study tips and resources be sure to join the Let’s Talk Bible Study email family by filling out the form below!
Do you have more suggestions for how to memorize Bible verses? Drop them in the comments! We’re all ears!
TWEET THIS!
& Ideas for How to Memorize Bible Verses Share on X
