Memorising

This week’s exercise is MEMORISING.

Before you think to yourself, I can’t do this - my memory is bad! let me remind you that your memory bank can be trained. Exercise is good for you and what better way to exercise your memory than to fill it full of the Bible.

HOW TO MEMORISE

The memorising workout

The best way to memorise is to break the verse into portions. Learn the first portion first, then the first and the second together, then the first, second and third together, and so on until you have completed the task.

Let’s take 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as an example: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ These verses naturally fall into phrases. So, let’s take the first phrase: ‘Be joyful always.’ Repeat that out loud many times, then add the second phrase: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually.’ Again, repeat it a number of times before adding the third phrase: ‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.’ Repeat the same process before adding the fourth phrase: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’

Once you have said it all, say it over and over again until it becomes part of you. Why not try recording it again and again onto a cassette and let it play while you are doing other things? It helps to get it firmly implanted in the brain. Perhaps put it on a card or piece of paper and take it with you in order that you can review it during the day. It is worth noting, however, that just because you can say something once or twice doesn’t necessarily mean you have memorised it. It needs reviewing in order for it to be imprinted in your memory bank.