Memorization
As we looked at in our previous series, How to Read the Bible, the memorization of Scripture is one of the primary means we can employ in hiding God’s word in our hearts (Ps. 119:11) or for God’s word to abide in us (John 17). For this week, make a plan for memorizing Psalm 23 together as a Discipleship Group.
For many, this may be the first (or the first in a long time) you’ve entered this practice. Set the goal of memorizing all of Psalm 23, but meet each other with grace and celebration regardless of how far you each get. Memorizing three verses may not be the whole chapter, but it is still more than memorizing none!
As a final additional note, if you already have Psalm 23 memorized, try spending this week re-memorizing it in the CSB translation as having multiple versions in your mind will open up the Psalm in new ways as you remember it!
Discuss as a Discipleship Group how you will practice memorization this week, utilizing the tips below or any others you might be able to share!
Memory Acronym: Create an acronym out of Psalm 23:1, and add a verse each day over the next week. Looking at the first letter of each word helps guide memory. For example, 23:1 would be T L I M S ; I H W I N. 23:2 would be, H L M L D I G P ; H L M B Q W. (Ryan’s new favorite way). On the final day, see if you can recite the Psalm without the use of the acronym.
If you learn best when you do something with your hands, it can be helpful to knit, shuffle a deck of cards, squeeze a stress ball, etc. while you quote. The repetitive motion will help you concentrate.
Index Card: Write the verse(s) on one side of an index card and the verse reference on the other side. Carry the card(s) around with you so you can work on memorizing it in your free time.
Memorize Though Song: A time-honored means of memorizing Scripture is setting the verses to music. There are many versions of Psalm 23 available, look through Apple Music or Spotify for one which does a good job of reproducing the Biblical text (rather than paraphrasing).
Record Yourself: Try recording yourself on your phone reading the verse(s). Listen back to the recording while you're driving, working out, cleaning your house, grocery shopping, etc.
Make It Visible: Tape the verse(s) to the bathroom mirror or to your car dashboard and work on it as you go about your day. You can also put it as your desktop or phone background. You'll honestly be surprised by how much that helps.
Repetitive Writing: transcribe the verse(s) by hand. Rewrite the verse(s) over and over or use hand-lettering or other creative illustrations or pictures as a way of putting it in your mind.
Repetitive Recitation: Read the verse(s) out loud in 5-minute increments and repeat (while allowing some time for your mind to rest). Worked out as a discipline, this could look like:
Reading/Reciting it out loud 4 times per day for a week
Then, read/recite it out loud once a week for a month
Then read/recite it once every three months for a year
And then read/recite it once every year