HOW TO Memorize a Verse

Phrase 15 Method of Scripture Memorization

Scripture memorization can be compared to an old pickup truck driving through a new field-section of his farm. If the farmer drives it along the same route every day, eventually a new set of tracks will be formed in this field - and eventually those tracks will turn into ruts where the grass no longer grows. After several months or years of this, those ruts will be dirt and become a new road on his farm. Memorizing a verse is like trying to develop a new set of "tracks" in your brain - a new pathway of thought and memory.

Now - imagine that same truck loaded high with cement bricks. How much faster will those new ruts develop? That is what the phrase 15 method (below) is. It is like loading your "memorizing" truck full of heavy bricks - it will help you memorize verses in a way that you will not soon forget them (and quickly too) - creating new tracks in your brain that will last for years and years, to the glory of God!

1. Split the verse into 3 equal parts (or 2 for smaller verses).

2. Take part one of the verse, and without looking, repeat it (out loud) 5 times. Then read part 1 of the verse again, then repeat it (without looking, out loud) another 5 times. Read part 1 a third time and repeat it again 5 more times. You have now repeated the first part of the verse 15 times (thus the "Phrase 15" method).

3. With part 2 of the verse, follow the previous step exactly (not together with part 1 yet, only part 2 alone) - You have now repeated part two of the verse (by itself) 15 total times.

4. Now take parts 1 and 2 of the verse and follow the phrase 15 method with both of them together. Recite parts 1 and 2 together 5 times without looking (out loud), then read them, then recite them 5 more times together, then read them, then recite them yet another 5 times together (again, 15 total times).

5. Now take part 3 of the verse and repeat step #2 with it alone.

6. Now take all 3 parts of the verse and follow step #4 with them - all three together (15x total).

7. Congratulations - you have now firmly memorized the verse! 

***Don't skip past any of the repetitions or steps above as you do it, or you may have to "re-memorize" that same verse tomorrow... do it right the first time, and you'll be glad you did :)