I write this not to brag or to boast, but to inspire and to invite. I want you to join me!
I was made RICH through the 2 + years I spent memorizing this book of the Bible, and I want anyone and everyone to join me, whether it is to memorize one verse or one book.
WHY=MOTIVATION
1. Meditation through memorization
“His delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season...”
Psalm 1
(A great starting point if you don’t know what to memorize first!)
What better way to meditate on God’s Word day and night than through memorizing it!? I am not always staring at the pages of my Bible or looking at an app on my phone, but in places like stop lights, showers, sink dishes and school pick-up lines I am able to meditate as I mull over the words I am memorizing in my mind and mouth.
2. The voice of the Lord
“His voice goes out into all the earth...
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul...”
(Psalm 19, another great one to start with!)
The Psalmist says that the skies are declaring the glory of God, and He is speaking through creation, but the same Psalm goes on to exalt the Word of the Lord. God speaks through His Word. I want to hear his voice!
Through memorizing Hebrews, I have heard the Holy Spirit speak to me and revive my soul in ways I would have never heard Him if I had not spent the time meditating and hiding it in my heart. I could write a whole book on what He has spoken to me, and indeed I have even written songs! But trust me, Hebrews is what sustained me and renewed me all these months of memorizing!
3. Become Rich!
“[The ordinances of the Lord] are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold...”
Psalm 19:10
It is hard for you to believe this if you actually have a lot of money. Money can deceive us, or anything else for that matter. But when I buried the treasure of Hebrews into my heart and mind, my faith was made strong and I became rich with promises and truths that will keep me alive and bring me reward!
I want you to become rich too! I found treasure that I can’t keep hidden! I will not feel as much pleasure in memorizing Hebrews unless I share this with you. Please join me!
HOW=PROCESS
1. One verse at a time. It is that basic. People say to me, “Wow, you must have a good memory! I could never do that!” But marathon runners don’t just run 26.22 miles from a sedentary position; they work up to it and build endurance over time.
2. Through prayer and worship. I pray often for Word hunger, and I ask my accountability partners to pray for me when I am reaching a plateau. I have had many set-backs, and many breaks to memorizing! I am not the perfect memorizer! But I just pray again for God to pick me back up and keep going forward. I could never do it without Him! It’s a spiritual battle, just sharpening our swords for war! (See Eph. 6!)
3. Together with study. I do not just want the words of Hebrews to go into my mind and rattle off my tongue; I want them to sink into my soul and become part of my life. It sinks in so much more when you understand what you are memorizing. (Example, Hebrews 7: “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most HIgh.”) 
I studied a commentary by Kent Hughes: Hebrews: An Anchor for the Soul (Crossway 2015 Preaching the Word series). 
I listened to almost every sermon by John Piper, which were full of insights for me! I mark my Bible with colors (this could be a whole separate post on my color codes and how I started doing this!).
I encourage you to study along with memorizing as another way to dig deeper and meditate. If this overwhelms you, because you are not used to deep theological study, then just go straight to memorizing! Don’t let that hinder you; it just helps me!
4. Using a system. Look at the verse, say each phrase five times out loud. Add the next phrase. Say it five times. Put the phrases together. Write it on a sticky note and put on my mirror. Then when I know I have it, I write in my memory review book using only the first letter of every word as a memory cue (writing out by phrase).
28 S C W S O T T A T S O M P;
A H W A A S T,
N T B S,
B T B S T T W A E W F H.
“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;
and he will appear a second time,
not to bear sin,
but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9.28
I keep this book in my purse, by my bed, in my back pocket, and I can pull it out whenever I am wherever I am if I need to check my memory or review. (Emphasize REVIEW!).
5. Aware of Learning styles. I am strong on visual, so I use colors, marking my Bible, and looking at the words and letters. I am also audible, so I listen to recordings of Hebrews on my phone while I do other things, when my brain is too tired or lazy to come up with it myself. Keep listening to the whole book, or chapter so you can get the big picture. Kinesthetic, it helps to actually say the words so your tongue learns it and you can hear yourself saying it combining all learning styles. What works for you?
WHO=ENCOURAGERS
1. Dr. Andrew Davis “An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” is a little booklet for just $0.99 on the Kindle! This man motivated and encouraged me to stick with it and to push myself farther. He shows how he memorized the book of Matthew and how to review.
2. Janet Pope “His Word in My Heart” I found a lady who memorized 14 books and going! She started groups, which I may someday do too! She has so many helpful tidbits and tips.
If you are auditory or can listen while you fold laundry or do dishes, or don't want to pay money for the book, listen to these messages!
3. John Piper and Desiring God. Just type in “Memorizing Scripture” at www.desiringgod.org and you will find articles and sermons to inspire you far beyond what I have written!
4. Jessica Becker---I want to be YOUR encourager!! How can I encourage you to join me on this journey of meditation on God’s Word and communion with Him through Scripture memory?
