The following are some excerpts from the excellent book entitled You Need To Memorize Scripture by N.A. Woychuk of Scripture Memory Fellowship International, P.O. Box 411551, St. Louis, MO 63141. Brother Woychuk has also authored many Bible memory books for all age levels.

If you are going to memorize Scripture, approach it as heaven's greatest bounty for all people, for all generations. It is only by the use of our memory that we possess the riches of God's revelation. To have the sure words from God locked in our minds makes us spiritual millionaires!

God commands us to memorize Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:6; 11:18), and He most certainly will grant His enabling grace to accomplish it.

Memorizing is generally not a question of ability, but of interest and desire. Delighting in the Scriptures (Psalm 119:16; Isaiah 55:2) will sustain your interest and keep you going.

Reading and studying God's Word gets the person into the Word, but memorizing it gets God's Word into the person and molds the spiritual life.

Unless we have a workable plan, including a specific recitation schedule, we will not get very far, irrespective of how highly we may value it. However, no plan will automatically assure success in storing up God's Word. We must put out the mental energy and hard work no matter what plan we follow.

One plan is to use pocket-sized Bible memory books which contain weekly verse assignments (available from Scripture Memory Fellowship).

Another good plan is to write a verse on a small card. Always learn the reference with the verse. "Writing will fix it more in the mind than reading it five times," said Isaac Watts.

There is no shortcut or magical formula for memorizing. You must concentrate, giving it your undivided attention. Seek out a quiet place, with no TV or radio or other disturbances. Ask the Lord to filter out the many cares and responsibilities on your mind.

The process of memorizing Scripture will be greatly affected by the value you place on it, the energy you give to it, the quality time you allow for it, and the degree of delight by which you pursue it.

Do not be in a hurry to memorize. We have nothing more important or more urgent to do than to be occupied with Christ over the Word. Resist Satan and his attempts to rush and crowd you with the responsibilities and pleasures of this life that keep you from the nourishment and blessedness of God's Word.

The real test of Scriptures "learned" lies not in the ability to recite them word for word, but in the understanding and application of their truth in daily living.

The memory is like a bank. Money deposited there is not only safe, but it bears dividends that accumulate with time. A mind stored with the Scriptures will yield dividends, which, though intangible, will be of more personal enrichment than material possessions.

Memorize from one of the more accurate word-for-word translations. Many find the King James and the New King James easier to memorize because of their distinctive style of writing. Learn for life, with the purpose of retaining it permanently. Do not try to memorize too much at one time. Recite the verses out loud. Review prior lessons each day. This is an absolute must for retention.