Memorizing Scripture - Recommendations Please

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JezuUfamTobie

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Lately I have been feeling inspired to memorize parts of the New Testament. I would like to undertake an entire epistle because the epistles are large enough to feel like a real accomplishment and small enough for me to memorize relatively quickly.

So…

Which epistle would you recommend and why?

What translation would you recommend and why?

Thanks so much!
 
I guess that since all scripture is inspired and all is profitable, it’s a matter of personal choice. Pray for guidance and then give it a go. Who knows, perhaps some of that memorized scripture will be exactly what you need to answer someone’s question as to why you believe as you do.

Hope it turns out to be profitable for you!

God Bless,

CARose
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
Lately I have been feeling inspired to memorize parts of the New Testament. I would like to undertake an entire epistle because the epistles are large enough to feel like a real accomplishment and small enough for me to memorize relatively quickly.

So…

Which epistle would you recommend and why?
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The Letter to the Galatians - because it’s fun. St. Paul really gets passionate in this one - I really enjoy reading it out loud. 😃
What translation would you recommend and why?
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Probably the RSV-CE, if you want to be easily understood when you recite it, but another possibility would be the DRV, because the language of the DRV is very poetic - it has a “Shakespearean” sound to it, and could also be really effective in recitation. 🙂
 
Do Ephesians. It’s awesome for (at least) the following reasons:
  1. It has the four marks of the Church
  2. It talks of the Church being the Bride of Christ.
  3. The prayer Paul prays in 3:14-21 is awesome.
  4. It’s about hope, and thus useful to have memorized in hopeless times.
Jeremy
 
jemfinch said:
Do Ephesians. It’s awesome for (at least) the following reasons:
  1. It has the four marks of the Church
  2. It talks of the Church being the Bride of Christ.
  3. The prayer Paul prays in 3:14-21 is awesome.
  4. It’s about hope, and thus useful to have memorized in hopeless times.
Jeremy
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I would agree:D
 
I think possible a more worthwhile method, and one endorsed by many saints, would be to adopt the practice of lectio divina, slow prayerful contemplative reading of short passages of scripture. when a verse speaks to you, write it in your journal, or on a card you carry with you all day or week, and memorize that. In any case, pray to the Holy Spirit on this, He will be much more helpful than we will.
 
Ephesians was the first book I memorized, for the reasons mentioned above. In some ways Ephesians is like a more advanced re-working of Galatians, and I just liked it better. Also, Paul frequently broke into some of his greatest prayers in Ephesians.

I went at it a little different than just reading it from the bound book. I have the PC Study Bible software, so I copied it into a word processing program and broke the text into lines, like a non-rhyming poem. Then I printed that onto 3x5 cards that I could carry with me. This worked so well I used it on other memorization projects.

Good luck.

DaveBj
 
Romans and James. That way you will be very equipped to discuss the issues of faith and works.
 
The first epistle I memorized was 2 Timothy. It is one of Pauls more personal letters. It was a great way for me to start memorizing books of the bible. I also bought a small bible, a mini handheld one. I cut out the pages and laminated them. This way I could take them in my shirt pocket or even in the shower without damaging them. One even went into the wash and came out fine. Glad to hear you are interested in memorizing, it will be a great benefit for you.
 
What a great thread!! some really good ideas in here, its something we should all be trying to do
 
I like Ephesians and Galatians myself. Both are very important books in terms of the doctrine of the Church, both are relatively short, and both are very passionate and emotional as Paul wrote them. In terms of Bible translations, my suggestion is for you to use whatever translation you understand the most and whatever translation you will actually read.
 
Well as I read your question I was trying to decide between Galations and Ephesians… If this is a vote… well I guess I know which of those two won. 🙂
 
jemfinch said:
  1. The prayer Paul prays in 3:14-21 is awesome.
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Amen! I carry it in my wallet and have shared it with a couple of my new Catholic friends. On top of that, it is in today’s readings 👍

I call this prayer “The Pilot of my Life” prayer, referring to the old saying, “If God is your co-pilot, trade seats!” But does this prayer have a Catholic name?

BTW, memorizing scripture was a big part of my protestant upbringing, and I now carry so much of the word in my heart, this has been one of the biggest blessings that anyone could have ever given me. So bless yourself today, and memorize some of God’s Holy Word.
 
Hmmm … I’m worried about remembering enough of the meaning of particular lines or areas of scripture … but I’ve never thought of actually trying to memorize an entire letter.

I’m curious now… can i do it?
I can’t even memorize the Nicene Creed.

I’m gonna give it a shot anyway … I guess, after reading this thread, I’ll start with Ephesians.

Wish me luck!

michel
 
Wow! I am so impressed and humbled.

And to think I’ve been feeling oh so proud of myself lately for keeping a 3x5 card journal on verses that support various Catholic teachings and trying to memorize them.

I can’t imagine memorizing entire epistles. You guys really insprie me! :tiphat:
 
The keys to memorization are:

Repetition out loud.

Visualization - make a movie in your mind that shows what’s going on in the piece that you are memorizing.

Use a “memory tree” - draw a picture of a tree, and add branches to the tree from top to bottom - hang a “fruit” on each “branch” that represents one concept - a summary picture of one sentence, for example. (Praying hands for “We believe in one God,” or any image that makes you think of faith in God.)

Take it a piece at a time - don’t attempt to memorize the entire thing all in one go, but memorize small parts of it over a longer period of time. Then, when you have each part memorized, put them all together in order.

Make a separate memory tree for each piece that you memorize, and then make a whole forest of memory trees for yourself. Make sure to put the memory trees in the right order, of course!! 😉
 
Jude. It’s short (25 verses). It’s often overlooked. And there’s a lot of cool stuff in it!
 
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