Brian H. Cosby, excerpt from “Reading the Bible for Transformation” article in The CSB Study Bible
Memorizing anything takes considerable effort. Memory works in ways analogous to muscle—the more we exercise it, the more we are able to retain. Usually. For some reason, children stop memorizing Bible verses around middle school age, never to pick it up again. Adults today, by and large, do not make the effort to memorize Scripture, which can oftentimes be seen in the devastating effects of a shallow and joyless faith.
The Psalmist writes, “I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you” (Ps 119:11). Assaulted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus rebuked his adversary by quoting the Scriptures that he knew by heart. Oh how we need to write God’s Word on the tablet of our hearts today!
Here are a few suggestions if your brain “muscle” needs some stretching.
- First, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Before you set out to memorize the entire New Testament, start with a few verses or, if you are more seasoned, a whole chapter.
- Second, ask others in your church or family to join you and to keep you accountable. This will help provide regular reminders, especially if you have a busy schedule.
- Third, incorporate as many ways to memorize as possible—through music, writing it out on paper, repetition, or other creative ideas. Through it all, may God’s Word revive your soul and transform your mind and heart.
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