Don’t be intimidated by bible memorization or learning bible memory verses! We’re told in Psalm 119:105 that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Learning and memorizing bible verses is such a valuable tool that will daily help us as we navigate life!
Bible Memory Verses
When we pursue learning bible memory verses, we will be actively renewing our minds with God’s Word. In fact, one short bible memory verse tells us in Hebrews 4:12 that, “The word of God is living and active.”
This power-packed verse reminds us that every single word of God is living and active! The Holy Spirit will use what we take to memory and bring those words to life! God is unceasingly at work within us and we can trust Him to bring these bible verses to life and apply them appropriately when needed.
What bible verses should I memorize?
When it comes to bible memory verses, which ones should we pursue for memory? I’ll include a variety of verses throughout this post as well as a scripture memory cards pdf that you can print below. But in short, as many bible verses as you can memorize will always greatly benefit your heart, mind, and soul!
Memorize as much scripture as you possibly can. Make it a family affair or challenge a friend or your spouse.
Short Memory Verses
If you’re intimidated with memorizing scripture, start with these short memory bible verses! It will give you a boost to get started and you’ll easily be able to have 7 short bible verses under your belt for memory!
- Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Always rejoice. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
- We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
- Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
- Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
Foundational bible verses to memorize
The following are a handful of foundational bible verses to memorize. These are bible memory verses that are core to our Christian faith. The following verses include scripture memory verses from the gospel, God’s love, and the hope we have in Christ.
When you consider these bible verses for memory, make them personal to you. By that, I mean consider how these verses are foundational truths for your own life.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Related: Beautiful Free Printable Bible Verses
How do you memorize memory verses?
So how in the world do you memorize bible memory verses? First and foremost, dedicate time to memorizing scripture! This is something you have to actively pursue. I’ll list a variety of tools that have helped me over the years.
First, I want to share a story that still shocks me to this day. Years ago, I took on the challenge to memorize chapter one from the book of James. I had never memorized a chapter of anything in my life but this was something that was very important to me so I committed to working on it.
Every single day I repeated a couple of verses over and over, dwelling on God’s Word and meditating on what was written until I mastered the verses. Then, I’d move on to a couple more verses. Most of the time I was saying the words out loud as I was going about my day.
Our daughter was 4 or 5 at the time and she heard me constantly trying to learn these verses. Some days I’d act like she was the teacher and I’d practice saying it in front of her even though she had no idea how to read the actual words to know if I was truly right or wrong.
Weeks into it, she was playing by herself and I heard her say verses 1-12 all on her own! Up until that point, it hadn’t even occurred to me to try to teach her these verses – “it’s a lot for just myself, how could I expect a child to memorize so much scripture!?” Oh, what limited thinking I had!
She and I both learned all of Chapter 1! To this day, I can still hear her little voice say, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6)
Bible memory verses are possible to learn for anybody! Set your own pace and pursue getting God’s Holy Word into your heart and mind.
Related: Kids Scripture Cards
Ways to memorize verses:
- Pick a verse and repeat a few words at a time adding additional words as you master it.
- Write out scripture. Start a bible memory verse journal with scripture you can write over and over until you’ve learned it completely.
- Sing the verse. Pick a tune and sing the bible verse to it.
- Color the bible memory verse you are trying to memorize. As you’re coloring, take time to repeat the verse over and over. Check out these free bible verse coloring pages!
- Use scripture memory cards to practice the bible verse. Keep the bible memory verse cards with you at all times so you can pull out the one you’re working on when you’re between appointments, waiting at a stop light, in between practices or carpooling, or something you can glance at while cooking dinner!
- Set reasonable goals. Try for a verse a week. If you conquer a verse quickly, move on to the next one.
- Acknowledge that the verse is personal to you. Think about the words and how they apply to your life.
- Find someone interested in bible memory verses and hold each other accountable. Maybe you can alternate picking verses each week. Don’t forget to have a REWARD when you reach your goal!
- Commit to writing the verses 5-10 times each day until it’s learned.
- Dedicate time daily to memorizing scripture. Schedule it!
What are some popular bible verses?
If you are interested in bible memory verses but have no idea where to start, the following scriptures are some popular bible verses. There are numerous popular scriptures and many are throughout this post as well as the list below.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Bible Memory Verses about Faith
This section of scriptures are popular bible memory verses about faith. As you learn more and more verses, the Holy Spirit will work through you to bring these scriptures to life. You may face a challenging time or doubt may creep into your mind, but now you’ll be armed with God’s Word.
Instead of falling into fear, you’ll be reminded, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” from 2 Corinthians 5:7 and you’ll have that gentle nudge to trust God as you step forward in faith!
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. John 7:38
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37
Bible verses to memorize pdf
I’ve included a file for you to download for free all the verses I’ve included above. Click here to download a list of the bible memory verses pdf.
To download and print the verses as scripture cards, click here for your >>> scripture memory cards pdf!
If you’re looking for additional scriptures, Navigators offers an awesome Topical Memory System!
Bible Memory Verses
I’m thrilled about your pursuit of bible memory verses and scripture memorization! Always remember, the word of God is living and active! The Holy Spirit will work through these verses as you actively memorize and hide these words in your heart.
Check out these additional free spring bible verse cards on beholding God, renewal, and newness of life!
Let me know what your bible memory verse goal is for this year in the comments!
Good😊
Thanks for sharing these great Bible verse memorization tips! I found this post super helpful and I can really use it for my next Sunday School lesson. This is something kids often struggle with, but I think these tips will help a lot.