The following approach for Bible memorization works for me:

1. Pray. Ask God to help you memorize Bible passages and recall them when you need them most. This is a prayer He will delight to answer.

2. Plan. Start with a chapter that inspires you (e.g., Psalm 27, 46, or 91; 1 Corinthians 13; Hebrews 11; Revelation 12). Don't be daunted by the length. Take a little each day, and don't force yourself to memorize the whole thing at once. And be patient. Start with one short phrase at a time. For self-drill James Ellison suggests writing down the first letter of each word and saying each word as you look at the letter until you can do so easily by heart.* It's worked for me.

3. Pocket it. Write the verse for the day on a piece of paper or a 3" x 5" card, and put it on your keychain, in your pocket, or somewhere else where you'll have access to it throughout the day. I take the verse with me when I exercise. It gives me something else to focus on.

4. Pretend. Pretend you're a musician (if you're not) and put the verses to music. Even an amateur's melody will help cement the words in the memory. Sometimes I record the tune on a tape recorder so I can refresh my memory. Make the passages into an ongoing song for yourself or for your kids. Don't be deterred if you sound silly. I laughed at my mom, but scriptures that are easiest for me to remember are the chapters that she sang again and again while I was young. This was one of the best gifts she ever gave me.

5. Practice. Give a Bible study. Don't let the pastor have all the fun. If you don't know anyone to give one to, ask the church to see if they have any contacts.

6. Protect. Review daily. "Guard what was committed to your trust" (1 Tim. 6:20, NKJV). Once the scripture is firmly in mind, no one can take it away from you. It will be there when you need it most.

7. Pick. Pick a facet of your faith that you'd like to be able to explain. As you build your memorizing habit, add more texts. Be sure to memorize the specific reference, as well. (I can find many texts in my own Bible, but ask me to find them in a different Bible, and I get stuck.)

8. Play. Play a game with your kids, your spouse, or your friends. compete to see who can remember the most Bible texts. Make Bible sword drill a fun habit. It rapidly helped me become familiar with the Bible.

9. Persist. Don't give up, even when you feel you're progressing like a slug. Even slugs usually get where they want to go. The process might be slow, but it can be extremely meaningful—like building a close friendship. And after all, that's what it's all about.

*James Ellison, "How to Memorize Scriptures Quickly," Help for Young Christians, comp. Michael A Jones (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn.), 1977.