For many of us, the thought of memorising Bible verses will bring to mind stuffy Sunday School rooms and exasperated teachers repeating John 3:16 over and over while being largely ignored.
But though it's got a bit of a bad name for itself, memorising Scripture is actually an incredibly valuable tool. In Colossians 3:16, Paul urges Christians to "let the message of Christ dwell among you richly", while Psalm 119 tells us that we can keep ourselves pure by guarding our ways "according to your word".
"Guard my words as your most precious possession," says Proverbs 7:2. "Write them down and also keep them deep within your heart."
Jesus himself, as recorded in the Gospels, regularly quoted Scripture. As a rabbi, he would have been well-versed in the Scriptures, what we now know as the Old Testament. When he's tempted by the devil in the wilderness, he responds by repeating passages from the Torah. "His only defense against this attack was the Word of God," Rick Warren says. "If Jesus knew a better way to fight temptation, believe me, he would have used it."
So there's a biblical precedent for memorising Scripture, and it can help us with our own walk as we seek to live in line with God's calling. But where to begin? Here are a few thoughts.
1. Make a realistic plan
I once decided to learn the whole of Ephesians... and gave up three days later having learnt a grand total of nine verses. You're probably not going to learn the whole Bible back to front in your first month, so set some attainable goals. Three verses a week might be a good starting point.
2. Get into a routine
Figure out a time of day when you're most alert and receptive to learning. Whether that's first thing in the morning, on your lunchbreak, or while you're cleaning your teeth before bed. Learn what works for you, and repeat.
3. Read out loud
You might find it helpful to read your chosen verse aloud over and over again. It helps solidify it in the mind, and don't forget to repeat the reference too. It's no good knowing a verse without knowing where it comes from.
4. Write it down
Stick reminders up around your home, on mirrors, in the bathroom, or even on your desk at work. Having the verse right by the front door means you'll read it just as you're leaving the house each morning, giving you a helpful reminder for the day.
5. Use an app
There are loads of great apps out there to help you memorise Scripture. 'Fighter Verses' from John Piper's Desiring God team challenges users to learn 520 verses over two years. Other popular apps include 'Bible Memory: Remember Me' and 'MobilizeFaith'.
