Thanks....One quick question. I am finding it difficult memorising bible verses, i have prayed about this and i have tried all i could ..what do you think i do , do you have resources on the web you7 can point me to :

God bless you

Olubunmi

Hi Olubunmi,

I don't know any tricks, but I'll tell you the way that I do it.  I use flashcards.  I'll admit though, my scripture memory work has fallen off lately, Praise God for your encouragement to pick it back up!

It's really very simple, take a 3 by 5 index card, write the reference and the verse on one side.  Then write the reference only on the other side. 

Start by memorizing using the full reference and verse side.  Read the card through several times each day until you have the words down, then start looking away from the card and saying the verse by memory.  The idea is to quote the reference, then the verse, then quote the reference again.  This cements the reference and verse together. 

Once you have the verse down verbatim flip the card over to where you can only see the reference and try to recite it from memory.  One cheat that I will use is taking the first letter of each word and writing it on the front of the card in pencil.  Place these where you can cover them with your thumb as you flip through the cards.  If you get stuck on a verse, look at the letters and try to remember the verse that way.  Erase the letters as you find that they are not needed, I usually end up leaving the first three or four letters on the card for a while.

For example:

Front side of card:  1 John 1:9  (then in lower right hand corner) IWCOSHIFARTFUOSATCUFAU

Back side of the card:  1 John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

I usually will take a paper cutter and cut the 3 by 5 card down to the size of a buisness card, then write the verse on it.  Once you get the verse down, set a portion of cards for daily review, (these are the ones you are learning).  Then set a portion of cards for weekly review (these are the ones that you know). Once you are comfortable with them there, move them to a monthly review pile. 

I use a palm pilot (Sony Clie) to aid in my memorization.  The program that I use is "super memo" by www.mapletop.com.  It is an excellent program which enables you to learn the verses in a very rapid manner using the same system I described above, (without the cheat). I like this program because I can set the font size and overcome the need for reading glasses, and the method the program uses really does increase the speed of learning.

One thing I forgot, pick a version of the Bible that you like.  If english is a second language to you, try to find a version in your language that you like.  I like the New American Standard, it's about the way my mind is wired, many like the King James, many others like the New International Version.  The version of the Bible is not important, what is important is hiding God's word in your heart.  One thought on this though, when you pick a version, stick with that one exclusively for memorization, it makes it easier when you learn more verses.

I hope that this helps!

Joe.

I pray that our enthusiasm will meet his enthusiasm; I received this encouraging letter after sending mine:

Looks  like my prayer is being answered. Meeting isnt a coincidence i know God wants to use you in helping me.

First i was thinking of getting a PDA , but it never crossed my mind i could get a good of it spiritually.  I think may be what i need to do is work harder, the flash card stuff will work for me , i will put em in my car , whenever i drive to work , or before i start the engine , i will pick one to memorise !!! God where have i been all these while !!

But Joe a minute...what is your opinion of this:

 i can seamlessly recite major speeches in Shakespeare, but i found it hard with Bible,  i kind of think if i could recite these , why not Bible , do i have to have a more profound knowledge , use cross reference and corcondance to understand a particular verse before it could stick to me !! Please it is not that i am asking too much, but i have never gotten someone to help me the way you have made the whole problem so simple for me .
[Olubunmi Isinkaye] SInce i cant get myself to learn it the way i will do with a shakespeare, i will go the hard way , See i am excited about the heave and a prayer i do everyday is that " Father L:ord , no matter what , i shall finish strong !!" Amen , Joe , in Jesus name you shall finish strong too. 

Yes The last observation about the bible verse will help too. I actually went as far as getting a bible in my mother tongue ( Yoruba) ...but i found out i still need an english bible to complement it .

Bye 

olubunmi