If I calculated Frequently Asked Questions, this one would rank near the top. I welcome this question because, although I began with the book of Ephesians, I don’t recommend it. I’ve seen too many people quit because a long passage got the best of them. I always tell people to start with something small.
Psalm 1 is the perfect place to start for several reasons. It’s short—six verses. The content addresses the challenge we face today—influence from a secular society. And it inspires us with a visual of someone who succeeds because he meditates on God’s Word day and night. Like a tree planted by streams of water, he bears fruit in season and never withers. Who wouldn’t want to be like that? Psalm 1 takes only one minute to review. When a person first takes on the challenge of memorizing they haven’t trained themselves yet to capture large pockets of time. But everyone has one minute, and we can easily find many one-minute segments throughout our day.
If you’ve already memorized Psalm 1, other suggestions include:
• Psalm 121
• Psalm 100
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 4
• Psalm 8
Then what? In my book HIS WORD IN MY HEART, I recommend Titus, and I walk the reader through a day-by-day method to help establish a habit. If tackling an entire book seems too much of a hurdle for you, go ahead and do another psalm before you move on to Titus.
A different opinion balances mine. My friend Lise, took on the book of Luke for her first thing to ever memorize. I asked her if she wished she’d started with something shorter. She said, “No”. I was surprised. She explained that Luke is a compilation of small stories, and she takes them one at a time which makes it doable. Lise says to pick something you love that speaks to your heart.
If you feel compelled to take on a longer book then go for it. Another friend, Chris, knew she wanted to memorize Romans and so far she’s soaking it in. Keep going Chris!
Our online community wants to help you with encouragement, insights, and a place to ask questions. So, I’d love to hear what advice any of you would offer to beginners. Or, which passage did you start with, and would you recommend it?
I enjoyed Memorizing Psalm 23 TO get my engine started Memorizing.
I started with Romans 8. This chapter always tugged at my soul when I read it. It is so full of deep theology and yet simple basics of following Jesus. I memorized other books and other chapters before heading back to Romans and memorizing the rest of the book. Do I recommend it? For me it was perfect. I agree with Lise, to start with something you love that speaks to your heart.
I started with Psalm 1 and then went to Titus, which I just finished up this week. Next I took the verses individually that went with a plan of salvation i.e. Romans Road and have worked on them and then I did four verses that we use at the Flea Market that have to do with Things God Cannot Do to share the gospel.
I have since moved back to whole chapters. I am now working on Ephesians 1
I started with Titus 2 and Psalm 1. I can’t remember which was actually first.
The first thing I memorized was the Christmas story from Luke 2 after being very blessed by hearing it recited. It is personally easier for me to memorize scripture in story form rather than heavy doctrine. Although we need both, it may be an easier place to start if you are struggling. With that said, I would also recommend praying and asking God what to memorize. He knows exactly what we need when we need it. Still struggling? Just dive in. “All scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Tim 3:16
I memorized 1 Corinthians 13 when I was a senior in college. The Lord has used it greatly in my life. It continues to be a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) I wonder if one of the reasons Janet married me is because I could quote 1 Corinthians 13 to her???