Preparing to Memorize

With this verse we’re finishing the first quarter of 2011!  I thought that it might be helpful to show you how I prepare to memorize the verses I have chosen. 

The very first consideration is to make sure that the verse you are planning to commit to memory is one that speaks to you, that connects with your heart, that is something on which you need or want to meditate.  Once you have found that verse, then you can examine it carefully to find little “hooks” on which to pin your memorizing. 

Let me explain.  Here are my verses for March 15:

I Peter 3:3-4

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

The first thing I notice about these verses is the theme of beauty.  Specifically, verse 3 contrasts outward beauty with the beauty that comes from within in verse 4.  So I will be remembering:  outward beauty (first verse) vs. inward beauty (second verse). 

I also see that both of these verses are commands:  Don’t be concerned about……vs. You should clothe yourselves instead with…….

Verse 3 has a list:  fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, beautiful clothes.  How can I remember these in order?  If I imagine hair on the head, jewelry around the neck, clothes on the body, I’ll be putting the nouns in order from the top down.  The adjectives are in reverse alphabetical order (fancy, expensive, beautiful) so I’ll think about that, too.

The key word in these verses is beauty:  outward beauty---beauty that comes from within---unfading beauty.  And then one “beautiful” is thrown in with the word clothes. 

What does God want in me?  “A gentle and quiet spirit.”  How do I know?  [It] “is so precious to God.”

I’m also going to be remembering that the word “quiet” is translated in different versions as peaceful, meek, mild, tranquil, sweet, gracious, calm, and not anxious or wrought up so that I know it doesn’t actually refer to a specific personality type but to an attitude that God values.  And no, I am not memorizing all these adjectives—I just think it’s important to know that there are different ways to express “quiet” so that I’m not stuck in the trap of thinking that because my personality doesn’t fit into that category, my inner self is not and cannot be pleasing to God.

Because I’ve carefully examined them, I already have these verses half-memorized!  Now I need to repeat, repeat, repeat, and repeat them some more so that they will stick in my mind and migrate to my heart.

What works for you as you memorize?  Maybe you can help out one of our fellow SMTers with your suggestions.  Feel free to share your thoughts and your methods as you post your verses for March 15.