5 Tips for Memorizing Scripture

It seems as though a lot of us have ourselves convinced that we just can't memorize scripture, as much as we feel like we should or want to.  My husband and I have heard this so many times from our students and even adults and I know I have felt that way myself before.  But, what I have found out about myself is that its not so much about why I can't memorize but how much time I actually spend trying.  Through the years I've learned a few things about memorizing scripture that have helped me.  This is not a quick and easy trick for memorizing scripture but ways to help get us started on the right track.  Memorizing takes times, just like a true relationship does.  

1. Spend Time Reading Scripture - I know this seems obvious but this is the first step to knowing God's word.  You have to take time to start reading.  Lots of the time when we feel far away or unsure of what God's plan for our life is its because we aren't spending time reading His word.  Scripture is from God and for our benefit.  He speaks truth into our lives through it.  There is no way to be disciplined into knowing scripture unless you are actually reading it.

2. Find Someone else to Memorize with you - This is probably the best thing that helps me when keeping on track.  Justin and I have at times set up lists of scripture we wanted to memorize and taken a week at a time memorizing one together.  This helps so much when you know you have someone to be accountable to.  Plus, the other person is helping you along the way.

3. Read in Context - This may seem like the first but its actually different.  When memorizing scripture its so important to take some time to read that particular verse in its correct context.  After choosing a verse you want to memorize, spend time reading the whole chapter around it.  It will help you put the words into the right perspective and help you remember the truth its teaching.  And you will probably learn something new, which will in turn strengthen your faith.

4. Write it in places you see Daily - This is a simple way to keep you on the right track.  I try and right the verse in several obvious places I see daily.  Then when I see it, I make a mental pause to say it in my mind (or even out loud).  Just pausing a few times daily will really help!

5. Start Easy - Don't get overwhelmed too early.  You have to build some foundations and routine first.  Choose some simple verses or even just one verse and stay there until you feel comfortable with what you know.  Even choosing one verse, reading it in context for a week everyday would be a great start.

Bonus Tip - Memorize the Reference, not just the text! - This is something I have to get better at!  I'm learning its so important to not only know the verse but to know the reference as well.  There are so many times when you will be reminded of a verse you want to share with someone, or even just something you need to look back to and you can't find it!  Knowing the reference is so important so take some time memorizing that as well!

Some of the benefits of knowing scripture - Strengthens your relationship with God, Helps you grow in your faith, encourages you, brings you peace and understanding, comfort...I could go on.  God speaks through scripture and He wants you to know what He has to say.  Spend some time getting familiar with God's word this week!

A few simple verses to start to Memorize:

1 John 4:19

Psalm 119:11

Psalm 56:3

James 1:22

Colossians 3:2

Romans 3:23

John 14:6

Organizing Your Small Home Office

If you are like us, there really just isn't a lot of extra space in your house - especially for things like a home office.  Because of limited space we have to be creative about how we use every inch - especially for things like paperwork, mail, office supplies, etc.  Those things can take over your home quickly if you let it - and I'm speaking from experience here.  I have absolutely loved taking a little time during each week to start getting our whole house organized.  For us, we decided to take it a little bit at a time - so we wouldn't get overwhelmed and just give up.  This has been the best way for us - we are actually getting organized and so far have really stuck with it.  Its been easy - way easier than expected.  So today I wanted to show you our completed "home office" - which is really a little desk area in our kitchen.  Its now organized and ready to actually be of use instead of being avoided.

So lets go back for a minute and remember the original state of this deak - it was a disaster.  The mail and paperwork runneth over.  I got to work by emptying everything out and sorting through all of the paperwork and little items that were shoved in.  You can find my post on sorting through the piles of clutter here.

Now all of the shoved in paper work has order and has been filed away in a pretty file box - which gave tons of space for actual office type supplies like envelopes, notebooks, clips, etc.

I'm so excited about this desk now - I like to just walk by and open it every now and again just to look at all the organized goodness.  Oh, I also lined the bottom with some scrap book paper and ended up painting a few places inside the desk, just to pretty it up a bit.

Another part of this task was also to clear out and organize the little drawer.  It was filled with junk - just like most drawers in our house (but we are working on it!)  Here's the before and after:

Just like the top, everything was cleared out and sorted through.  Some things were thrown away because it was just junk, some things were returned to its proper place and some things went back in.  I found some pretty wrapping paper (Target) to line the drawer with and some interlocking trays (from Homegoods) to organize everything when it went back in.

Another addition was this mail sorter for the top of the desk.  One section is for incoming mail and one is for outgoing.  I found the little notebook and mail sorter at Homegoods as well.  The notebook was $2 and the mail sorter was $5.99 - not much of an investment for something that will be a huge game changer for us.

I love that you can find pretty office and organization supplies these days.

Well, I think we can call this project complete for now.  For under $20 and a few hours time we now have a functional, organized and pretty home office space.  I.love.this.

I'm linking up with Jen at I Heart Organizing and her Home Office Challenge.  Jen is like the queen of organization, I love her blog and have gotten a ton of inspiration and ideas from her.  If you have been on the organization wave like me, you should definitely go check her out!!

Thanks for stopping by today!   I hope everyone has been safe as the strong storms have come through.  Have a great day!  

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