Pastor John Piper lists six reasons we should memorize Scripture (click here to read the entire article):
1. Conformity to Christ
2. Daily Triumph over Sin
3. Daily Triumph over Satan
4. Comfort and Counsel for People You Love
5. Communicating the Gospel to Unbelievers
6. Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and His Ways
Here are some resources on how to memorize Scripture:
- Piper on his method
Go to the 1:00 minute mark to hear see/hear him recite the entire book of Philippians from memory, until 18:35.
- Pastor Andy Davis on “An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” (pdf file)
- I would also suggest forming a group or at least getting one other individual to memorize a particular passage or set of verses and hold each other accountable and encourage each other in this discipline.
Here are some electronic tools that are handy aids for memorizing:
- e-Sword (free Bible software that includes an excellent Bible memory feature with multiple quizzing methods to really help memorize quickly and in an interesting way)
- Bible Minded (ABS) Android iOS
- Topical Memory System Android iOS
- Fighter Verses Android ($2.99) iOS ($.2.99) (ESV & NIV)
- CueCard (free windows-based computer program, creates flashcards which may include image, text, sound)
- Flash (free mac-based computer flashcard program)
- StudyDroid (free Android mobile phone and computer flashcard application)
- Learn! (free Android mobile phone flashcard application, creates with still or video image, text, sound)
If you just set aside time to memorize one verse a day (and review them in the days ahead), you could memorize the whole book of Philippians in four months or less. Chapter 1 – 30 verses; Chapter 2 – 30 verses; Chapter 3 – 21 verses; Chapter 4 – 23 verses I am hoping to do this, or the book of James, in the near future. Screenshot: Access Scripture Memory via the Tools menu in e-Sword The original version of this post appeared on capsministry.com.