Leadership Tips & Training A Year-Long Scripture Memory Journey

When talking with people about memorizing scripture, most people say that they can remember the verses they have memorized, but the reference doesn’t seem to “stick” in their mind for very long. I have found that knowing the reference adds power to the Scriptures that I share with others. For example, if I talk with a person all day about this awesome fishing spot that I have found, but never tell them where to find the fishing spot then they will never be able to experience for themselves what I have been talking about! They will only be able to tell others what I experienced; it would not be a personal experience, only a second-hand story. The same is true about the Scripture and the reference. Telling someone about a powerful verse that has changed my life or brought me incredible peace without sharing with them where it is found, prohibits them from personally experiencing the truth for themselves.

Let’s look at some creative examples of how to glue the reference to the verse of scripture:

Association
When learning Romans 15:13, which begins, “May the God of hope . . .,” my children were 15 and 13 years old, respectively. As I meditated on the verse (See February Leadership Tip), I noticed that the numbers in the reference corresponded with the ages of my teenagers. As my thoughts continued, I was also reminded that teenagers like to “roam” around from place to place. Therefore, a mother of roaming teenagers, ages 15 and 13, desperately needs the God of hope! Immediately I had an association that I would never forget! Now, when reviewing this verse, I automatically say, “Romans 15:13, May the God of hope...” The reference and the first few words are forever glued together in my mind!

Rhyme
Many times the reference will rhyme with one of the first few words. For example, “Romans 6:4, We were therefore…” the last number in the reference rhymes with the third word of the verse.”

Number Sense
I like math and I tend to notice number patterns, and multiples. For example, one of the first verses that I hid in my heart was Psalm 27:13-14, which says, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. (NAS) When observing this reference, I noticed that 27 = 13+14. Just as sure as God will see us through, 13 +14 will always add up to be 27!

If you have any creative ways that have helped you to remember the references, please send them my way and I will share them with the other Scripture Memory Challengers!

Feasting on the Word!

Nancy Taylor


Nancy Taylor is the First Place Leadership Training Director and joined the First Place staff in 1997. Nancy teaches leadership principles to First Place Leaders throughout the country and at Houston's First Baptist Church where she coordinates all the First Place groups. Nancy also speaks at First Place workshops, rallies, retreats, and conferences, where she delights her audiences with humor and encourages them with boldness. She writes a monthly article, which includes helpful tips for leaders, for the First Place E-newsletter, and was a contributing writer to the Today is the First Day devotional book. Nancy is the resident First Place Bible Concordance because of her love for Scripture memory.