TCBC Bible Memory Project
Memorizing Scripture, along with reading Scripture, has always been vital to the lives of God’s people. For most of human history, few people had access to books, so they learned sacred texts by memory. We have a much easier time reading Scripture than they did, but as a result we may neglect memorizing. Bible memory helps to plant the message of Scripture in our minds and hearts, where it can shape and empower us.
Join a Memorization Plan Today!
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to grow spiritually and connect with our community. Sign up for one of the memorization tracks. Let’s embark on this journey together!
To sign up
Text: “memorize” to (217) 834-8549
or
Our Bible Memory Plans
Bible Milestones
(18 passages, or three every two months)
This plan challenges you to memorize three crucial Bible texts for each of six stages of the Bible’s story: Creation, Corruption, Covenant, Christ, Church, and Completion. You’ll be immersed in the big picture of the Bible and have tools to understand the story of Scripture as you continue to read and grow.
Faith Foundations
(24 passages, or two per month)
This plan focuses on the essential confessions of the Christian faith as laid out in the Apostles Creed. Over the year you will learn some of the most memorized passages of the Bible, texts that are commonly cited to affirm our most basic beliefs.
Sermon Snapshots
(52 passages, or one per week)
You can follow the 2025–26 TCBC preaching plan by memorizing each week a verse or two from the sermon text for the week, or a verse from elsewhere in the Bible that captures part of the message of the sermon text. Many of these texts will be among those most frequently memorized passages of the Bible. If you like a weekly rhythm that integrates with your Sunday experience, this may be the plan for you.
Tips for Memorizing Bible Passages
Memorization is work. It must be done deliberately. But it’s work we do all the time. Think of what you already know by heart. You can do this! Here are some techniques that help.
Translation
Choose a translation that’s easy for you to read and understand. Any of the major English translations is perfectly suitable for memorization. If you stick with a translation, you’ll get used to its cadences and find it easier to memorize with practice.
Write & Recite
Balance writing and reciting. Write a passage to be memorized on a 3” x 5” card (we have sets made up for this purpose), with the book, chapter, and verse numbers on the opposite side. Use that card to guide and check your memorization as you repeat a text to remember it, and to reinforce it in the future. Keep your cards together so you can practice and review what you’ve learned. You can also write out a verse several times. Note that writing by hand seems to work better for memorizing than keyboarding onto a screen.
Context
Understand the context. Read the paragraph and chapter a passage belongs to. If you can, read the entirety of shorter books and larger sections of bigger books.
Record Yourself
Make a digital recording. Using your own voice, record yourself reciting the text several times. Then play the recording back on repeat until you’re saying the passage by memory along with your own recorded voice.
Repetition
Repetition is key. All your techniques need to be repeated many times. You can do this while you do routine tasks: housework, yard work, exercise, commuting. But keep at it.
Start Small
Work with small units at a time. Break down a verse into phrases, and repeat each several times until you can repeat it easily, putting them together step by step.
Partner
Get a memorization partner. Link up with a family member or friend who is also memorizing and can help you review and remain on track.
Mnemonics
Use mnemonics (ways of remembering a passage). Some like to invent a picture that represents each part of a passage. Others like to create a series of initials representing key words, or a short phrase that captures key words, or even a short story that represents key words. For example, you can capture the beginning of John 3:16 as a picture of a globe getting a hug or with the initials “FGSLTW.” Another mnemonic is to associate each word with an object in a familiar room, so you can mentally go around the room and remember the words of the passage. Or you can set a passage to a tune. Use what works for you.
Set a Time
Using the same time of day and even the same place can help us memorize.