More memory tips and links

Summery of scripture memorization tips. Which is just a rehash of my other tips in a new place.

1.If you're truly serious about getting some chapters down, get an old bible or two, cause some of the pages are going to get smudged and fall out.

Just use them that way, or just print out chapters as needed.

2.Invest in some good Bible CD's, Mp3's etc. You will not only get fed Spiritually but you can focus on one chapter at a time if you need to. And of course they are great when you are riding in the car, traveling, before bed, shower, whatever, use it!

The more you familiarize yourself with the book/chapters your going to memorize the easier it will be. Especially when you run across some chapters that are 71 verses long, like John chapter 6.

Trust me, when your facing 70 verses and you only have one down and you're only vaguely familiar with whats ahead........ Bible CD's can become an invaluable tool, do I need to say more?

I personally like the Bible read by Alexandre Scorby. I made the mistake one time and got the New Testament read by James earl Jones> If you don't mind having Darth Vader read the Bible to you, well then their all yours, I'll send em to ya.

3.Get a note book to write those stubborn verses in and you'll know the kind when you get to them and use the first letter of each word method, if you're using 3 by 5 cards I would usually write the whole verse out on one side and just the first letter's of each word on the back.

First go over the verse while only looking at the letters letting your mind do the work in recalling what words they represent. Then check and double check, and don't forget that the Devil in the mean time is going to be giving you crap, ignore him.

4. Make sure if you can, that the word string that you're memorizing is coherent to you. If its too abstract, then its going to be a bit more difficult to retain it.
But sometimes, in order to get the verse that's following the one you just memorized, you'll have to work in the last few words of your last verse in to the first words of your upcoming verse.

Hope that doesn't sound to confusing.

When you start doing it, you'll know what I am talking about.

5.Repetition is the law memory, you know it and I know it and I know that you don't like it, cause it takes effort, plus, you got the devil screaming in your ear that you're not going to get this down.

If you thought it was just you having a hard time, please factor in the fact that the devil is not going to make it easy on you. Satan, really hates Gods word and would be really happy if you just decided to chuck it all, and go watch TV.

You are going to have to do some fighting, get over it.

On a side note, did you know that God has exalted his word above his name?

Look it up.

Okay, Back to repetition.

Take the pieces of the verse that you're working with and repeat it to yourself out loud.

Reinforcing it audibly really helps.

IE ; In the beginning was the word, In the beginning was the word, In the beginning was the word and the word was with God" Then add more to it, till you have the whole thing, got it ?

6. Review. If you don't review your new memory verses as often as you can ....at least once a day or every other day for the first week, then they are going to go bye bye.

Once you get a whole slew of chapters memorized, its going to get harder to review them all everyday, so once you feel you have some deep in your heart, and you'll know, then you can start dividing them up.
Do a few chapters one day and a few the next and so on.
Another important element in reviewing is, to take your bible, and recheck your verses one by one every so often.
You will be amazed how your brain will replace some wording, especially if you're memorizing the king James version.

Another important thing is ,if you can, review your newest verses before going to sleep even if you have to just read em, it helps a lot.

One of the ways they say to learn a new language is to post the name of the object on the object itself and repeat it often .

So likewise, you can put up your memory verses in places where your going to be seeing them the most,
Put them over the sink where you wash your dishes or on the bathroom walls, make it so that you can always "behold the face of your Father" no matter where you go in your home.

7. Believe it or not, your brain will get tired and more so in the beginning, so if your brain feels like mush, take a break and resume again later or tomorrow, or just take a day off.

* Another thing, unless you don't mind writing out the whole book of John, just use your Bible for reviewing your chapters or the pages that came loose from their binding, and speaking of which display them with pride.

Considering that some bibles only get touched occasionally by a feather duster or just used to prop up the end of the bed when the leg gets busted off.
You actually took yours into battle and wrestled with the devil for it. And though it now lays tattered and torn, you have won a great prize of victory in the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

Now, go out and get yourself a waterproof bible like I did : )

When it comes to individual verses I would definitely take the time to write them out. I am in the process of rewriting all my verses out again as well, using 5 by 7 cards. And because I am older, P: I can write bigger.
If you can, try and get down more than one verse per card, because if you end up memorizing a 1000 verses, guess what, you're going have a thousand cards too.

Okay # 9 Most likely your going to have to get some small index card file box to store your cards in, because if you have them just laying about hither and yon, someone might come along and toss them into the trash thinking that they do you and God a service.

A topical file system might be the best way if you feel like going through the trouble which is what I am going to do this time. You know, Salvation verses with salvation etc.

10.This is something I almost forgot to mention, and its just my suggestion. If you are going to memorize a whole book,
Do not try and memorize the reference for each verse.

Why?
Because sometimes your brain will associate the reference with the whole of the book so you won't be able to recite it smoothly. For example, your brain is going to want to stop and give the referance # at the end of each verse. You don't read chapters that way why recite it that way, capeesh?

That's it for now, but If I remember anymore tips, I will revise this, or if you have any, please feel free to share them , thank you and God bless.

I do recommend doing the references for singular verses. And I have had a thought on how to recall my singular versus, by making them a string of verses all connected like a chapter or chapters, I'll let you know how that works out.