Step 2: Memorize the Bible Passage
Once you've completed the preparatory steps, you're ready to actually memorize the Bible passage you chose in Step 1. If you haven't already prepared yourself, please do so now before continuing.
The best way (and usually the only way) to remember anything is through repeat exposure. If you read a chapter or verse of the Bible just once or twice, you may be able to explain the main idea of the passage, but you most likely won't be able to repeat it word-for-word.
So, it is necessary to repeat the passage you are trying to memorize, over and over again. But you have to repeat the Bible passage in a systematic manner. You can't just read it from beginning to end over and over again and expect to remember it word-for-word.
Here's how to systematically memorize the Bible passage you've chosen: repeat the first thought over and over again (at least 5 to 10 times), and do the same for every thought after the first one.
As you repeat the thought, glance up from your Bible and repeat the thought without reading it. Then read it from your Bible again. Then glance up - then read - glance up - read, etc. Toggle between reading and reciting until you feel that you pretty well grasp the thought. Then move on to the next thought.
Repeat what you did for the first thought, for each subsequent thought. When you have several thoughts memorized, string them all together, and recite the verse(s).
As you memorize the Bible passage, continue this cycle of memorizing thought-by-thought, and stringing the thoughts together, until you've completed the entire passage you chose in Step 1.
As you become more skilled at memorizing, it will become easier to determine what a "thought" is. Let me give you an example. If I was trying to memorize Isaiah 55, the first thought I would repeat would be "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters."
Memorizing the Bible is meant to be a pleasure, not a task. So try to be creative as you repeat each thought. Maybe you want to emphasize only one or two words each time you repeat the phrase. Or maybe you want to visualize what the thought is describing. Try to find as many ways as you can that allow you to "experience" that thought.
If you're memorizing an entire chapter, you may find it helpful to also memorize the verse numbers. Although it may sound like extra work, in the end it's helpful, because it can help you remember the order of the verses. Also it's pretty cool to be able to recite any verse on-demand (for example, Isaiah 55:6).
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After you memorize the Bible passage you chose, recite it to yourself, and immediately correct any mistakes you make. When you are able to recite the entire passage to yourself without making a mistake, ask a friend or family member to listen to you recite that passage as they follow along in their Bible. Make sure they immediately correct any mistakes you make.
When you're able to recite the Bible passage to yourself and to another person without making a single mistake, you are almost finished. You've made extensive progress, and you only have one more step. Many people forget about this final step, but it is so very critical to remembering any Bible passage long-term....
After you memorize the Bible passage you chose in Step 1, you're ready to learn about long-term Bible memory skills. Click here to advance to the final Step 3.