Scripture Memorization – Read, Recite, Write

My goal for January is to memorize the first three chapters of Genesis. It’s been quite a while since I’ve memorized anything substantial and this seemed like a good way to kick-off the new year.

My plan is to memorize three-ish verses a day, but the number may vary depending on the flow of each passage.

To accomplish this, I’ll begin by reading the verses I plan to memorize that day to familiarize myself with their flow. Then, I’ll read and recite each sentence until I can complete a single verse. I’ll continue by adding one or two sentences at a time to what I’ve memorized, refining until it’s perfect. After memorizing each new verse, I’ll go back and recite everything I’ve learned so far.

Understanding the flow of the passage is an important part of the process for me. It’s helpful to know where the story begins and where it’s heading, like constructing a narrative-based mind palace.

To confirm I’ve fully memorized a passage, I use voice dictation on my phone to record my recitation. If I make a mistake, I review the passage and correct my memory. I repeat this process until the recitation is flawless.

Afterward, I manually type out the verses I’ve memorized. This step helps cement each individual word and reinforces the sentence structure.

When I get home from work, I repeat the voice dictation and typing routine.

So far, this approach has worked well. I’ve already memorized the first chapter. It’s incredibly satisfying, and the routine adds a welcome structure to my day. It gives me something meaningful to look forward to both in the morning and after work.