How to Memorize Scripture For Life was a short read. It seemed like a good chunk of it was on the importance of memorizing Scripture and then it turned to how he recommends memorizing. It was interesting to read, although I will say memorizing whole books of the Bible sounds daunting...but profitable and something I would like to try to do eventually.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Andrew M. Davis has written a small but valuable resource on how to memorize Scripture. How often can we recall a song from childhood and the song's recollection brings with it the emotions that spung up fresh once again. I have heard stories of Christians on their deathbed remembering with comfort the song Jesus Loves Me. It was because that song was sung multiple times with a comfort so enmeshed. Scripture can be that to us and not only on our death bed. Davis realizes that and so gives us a relatively sure-fire way to get us going on the road to storing up Scripture in times of need. But Davis first puts into words that reasons we've put off Scripture memorization convincingly. Then using Ephesians we are coached in the how-to which we can then implement for years to come. A well-timed resource as many will be resolving to memorize more Scripture.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC that I received in exchange for an honest review. I would like to make it clear that I am likely not the intended audience; I am an ex-Catholic who now identifies with UU nature-centered feminist spirituality, so my perspective on the Bible is very different from many people who might pick up this book. Please take that into account when you consider this review.

Overall, I would have liked more from this very slim volume. The first few chapters of the book encourage the reader to memorize scripture using verses from the Bible to make the argument that memorizing scripture is suggested in the Bible. . I think there was some merit to the excerpts chosen in making that point, but the sociopolitical context of a largely illiterate populace with minimal access to hand-copied scrolls being expected to study and memorize such a text rang false. I think that there are good reasons for memorization, whether it's scripture, poetry, or another evocative text, but claiming that the Bible itself promotes memorization seems unlikely. Moreover, ostensibly the audience that would select a book called How to Memorize Scripture for Life probably already want to memorize scripture, so one chapter with richer commentary probably could have done the trick; the quantity of text devoted to encouraging the reader to memorize versus the quantity of text devoted to teaching one how to memorize wasn't the right balance for me.

Once the reader moves into the didactic portion of the book, Davis gives very little depth or variety in explanations or techniques. His advice on which translation to choose? Look into it yourself and just choose one. His advice on memorization? Daily repetition. I found the title a bit misleading, in that Davis actually suggests that you stop practicing one book and move on to another and just make peace that you will forget what you spent months memorizing. That's realistic--perhaps I was naïvely holding out for some secret memory trick that would enable me to memorize for life. However, the title is How to Memorize Scripture for Life, so one can see how I might have drawn that conclusion.

The tables and schedules suggested for memorization work were handy tools. I will not be updating my NetGalley review, but I will update my Goodreads review with information as to how these techniques actually worked in practice if I use them. I have set the goal to read the entire Bible in 2024, and I may use the techniques suggested to memorize Ruth, Ecclesiastes, or some devotional poetry from my own religious practice, perhaps the Charge of the Goddess by Doreen Valiente. I will update my Goodreads review with h0w the techniques worked if I do use them over the course of many months that it would take to do Davis's suggested schedule of one verse per day with one day off per week. (After all, if I am going to review a how-to book, it only seems fair to let people know how it worked out.)

Though I learned some, overall this book came up short for me. I would have liked a handful of memorization techniques and more depth throughout the text. This book may have benefited from most testimonials from ministers and laity about their experiences and insights from deeply studying the Bible in this way. I appreciated some insights--the suggestion to memorize books rather than verses out of context was one such insight. Though the title is catchy from a marketing perspective, I found the title misleading. I would say that the book is lackluster as a whole.

This short book will help motivate you to memorize Scripture and give you the tools to actually do it!

Memorizing scripture was an important discipline in my early years of discipleship that I am grateful for. I have been feeling the "draw" to reinvigorate this habit again as part of my daily/weekly rhythm. The challenge of any discipline is that it takes discipline but knowing why it is important and the benefits helps to put the cost of discipline into context! "How to Memorize Scripture for Life" is a very useful book that sets out the "why", the benefits and the method of memorising scripture. The authors method of memorising is simple but helpful. A distinctive is Davis' focus and encouragement to memorise whole books of the Bible instead of isolated topical verses. This is a short but helpful book. The challenge for me and all other readers is to apply the learning!

How to Memorize Scripture for Life is a very quick but important read. Davis first creates a Biblically-based case about how anyone who calls themselves a Christian is commanded to memorize scripture. He doesn't pull any punches and is quite blunt about any excuses that he has heard throughout his career as to why Christians don't memorize Scripture.

Davis then gives the blueprint of how to take actionable steps of memorizing Scripture, which is simple and follows a logical progression.

Ultimately, this book is meant to be revisited multiple times as a guidebook once the practice of memorizing Scripture becomes second-nature. Because of it's concise format, the book fits that purpose.

First sentence: Welcome to the rich and challenging journey of Scripture memorization! You are about to embark on a searching and rewarding exercise of spiritual and mental labor: the memorizing of whole chapters and books of the Bible. This effort will challenge you greatly—not simply because memorizing is hard work (it is) but also because the verses themselves will search your soul with the light of God’s perfect truth.

I thought it would be a great idea to read another [a second] book on Scripture memorization. [Plus this one is a review copy.] I ended up comparing this one to Memorizing Scripture: The Basics, Blessings, and Benefits of Meditating on God's Word by Glenna Marshall. Was it intentional? unintentional? A bit of both if I'm honest.

I will start with the pros. Davis is nothing if not practical. Also emphatic. He says while it is okay to memorize [random, topical] verses, it is absolutely the best to memorize whole chapters, whole books of the Bible. His reasoning is that this affords the greatest benefit. It helps you a) meditate on the Word, b) apply and obey the Word, c) encourage and support other believers with the Word of God, d) evangelize to unbelievers. Back to his practical nature, his approach doesn't seem to vary all that much. Pick a book (with the Spirit). Pick a deadline (with the Spirit). Tackle one new verse a day using his very specific method. Review previous verses. [Lather. Rinse.] Repeat. [I jest.] His method is to a) read aloud a new verse, say Ephesians 1:1, ten times. Then repeat the verse [Ephesians 1:1 in our example] ten times without looking. The next day repeat [without looking, I believe] Ephesians 1:1 ten times. Then read aloud Ephesians 1:2 ten times. Then repeat Ephesians 1:2 ten times without looking. The next day, recite Ephesians 1:1 and Ephesians 1:2 ten times apiece without looking. Read aloud Ephesians 1:3 ten times. Then repeat Ephesians 1:3 ten times without looking. By the end, you'll be reciting [without looking] the whole book of Ephesians. He claims this should take you about fifteen or twenty minutes, I believe, to recite once you've committed it to memory.

More pros are that he a) admits that it is hard, difficult, challenging, time-consuming. He's honest about the effort and level of commitment. He also does not back down [nor should he????] that Scripture itself commands believers to memorize it.

Are there cons? Yes, in my opinion [for what it's worth.] He doesn't really allow for diverse learning differences, styles, techniques. It's like this is the way I've done it, copy me exactly. The practicality ends rather quickly if his method doesn't work well for you. Other authors offer MORE tips and tricks. Like writing the verse you are memorizing, like listening to the verse you are memorizing, like writing out first letters for each word, putting up cards around the house, recommending various apps, etc. He also doesn't have great "bedside manner" in my opinion. He is more a brisk, just do it as opposed to someone who is a natural at encouragement and inspiration.

I also found that the title was slightly misleading. His goal is not to memorize "for life" in the interpretation that these are verses/chapters/books that you will retain for life. Instead, I believe, his "life" means for the spiritual benefit and improvement of life. He actively talks about how each book you memorize should be "forgotten" or "wiped clean" so that you can start a new project.

He does try to impress upon readers the benefits of Scripture memorization. However, Glenna Marshall's book was more encouraging and even more practical.

How To Memorize Scripture for Life by Andrew M. Davis is a short, but powerful read. It is a guidebook on the benefits of memorizing Scripture, a look at some of the biggest challenges, how to overcome them, and tips on how to create your own memorization plan. I have been working on memorizing more the past few months and this books has added a new approach to try. I was encouraged how he addressed the difficulty of it all, but backed it with all the benefits. This is a great book to keep alongside your Bible to reference when feeling low on your memorization. At the end of the book, their is a great listing of the books of the Bible and how many chapters and verses they contain. It helps in choosing which books to memorize first. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to read How To Memorize Scripture For Life.

This is an excellent, practical book that will light or relight your desire to memorize Scripture. It did that for me. It's a very short book, 64 pages. He sets out a method and provides a sample of how to go about memorizing Ephesians or Matthew. It's simple enough to follow.

The book starts out with why it is so important to memorize scripture. Davis states, "Extended memorization of his flawless words will be the greatest and most eternally productive discipline you can embrace" (location 35). He goes on to point out all that the Word does and how valuable it is to have that word hidden in our heart.

Here's what got me really excited. He said that after you've memorized a book or chapter and have recited it 100 days, to "kiss it goodbye" and go on to another book. What? This has been one of my hangups in the past. It takes so long to review what I've memorized that I get discouraged and quit much less work on new material. He says, "the goal is not so much to retain the books you've memorized as to learn in depth as much of Scripture as you can" (location 335). You may remember those verses for life and you may not but that's okay. He states that you'll always be extremely familiar with the book and will understand more of its message and a lot of the parts because of all the time you spent memorizing it. "The truths are still embedded deep in my mind" (location 338). I don't have to feel guilty for what I can't remember.

Years ago, I memorized Philippians. Today, I can recite parts of it but not most of it. But I know what this book says. I'm very familiar with it. Davis helped me see the value in that time I took to memorize it even if I can't recite it today. How freeing!

Thanks to Crossway for providing a free e-copy of this book. I'd highly recommend it. All opinions are my own. Now I'm off to work on memorizing Jude. (I'm starting small.)