18-Week Memorization Journey Through the Gospels
I’m on an 18-week quest. This quest will take me on a journey through the four gospels in a way I’ve never experienced before. Yes, I’ll be reading the gospels, but more than that I’ll be memorizing a key verse from every chapter–a verse that I’ve chosen for myself that fits squarely within one of three categories: 1) the mission of Jesus, 2) the commands of Jesus, and 3) the mission of disciples.
Have you ever been talking with someone about the Bible and said something like this, “Somewhere Jesus said _____.”? Or “I know it’s in there somewhere when Jesus told the parable of the _________.”? I’ve been there too. And I realized that if I could store a key verse from every chapter of the gospels in my heart and soul, I’d have a firmer grasp on the fundamental teachings and commands of Christ, including His primary mission and the mission He gave His Church.
I’d love for you to consider joining me. Impossible, you say? Maybe. But nothing worth having in life comes without some struggle and sacrifice. Here’s the deal: there are 89 chapters in the gospels, which means there are roughly 89 verses to memorize (a few days have multiple verses). With some creativity and varied learning methods, I think it can be done. So, here’s my strategy and the breakdown for each week.
Day 1: Read out loud 5x.
Day 2: Write it down. Flash cards help.
Day 3: Listen. Record it on a voice memo and play it back throughout the day.
Day 4: Read it out loud 5x. Review flash cards.
Day 5: Write it down again, but include simple illustrations, word art, and pictures/infographics (see example at the bottom). Also check out the following article on the benefits of pictures in memorization.
Day 6: Listen
Day 7: Review during a brisk walk or run. (Check out the benefits regular exercise has on adult memory)
Shoot me a comment or email and let me know you’re on this journey with me.
Week 1: Matthew 1:21 (bear a son); 2:11 (opening their treasures, they presented him gifts); 3:8 (bear fruit in keeping with repentance); 4:19 (follow me); 5:16 (let your light so shine before men);
Week 2: 6:9-13 (Pray then like this…); 7:24 (wise man who built); 8:26 (he rebuked the winds); 9:36 (saw the crowds, had compassion…sheep without shepherd); 10:16 (sending you out as sheep among wolves);
Week 3: 11:28 (come to we all who labor); 12:33 (tree is known by its fruit); 13:44 (treasure in a field); 14:23 (went up on a mountain by himself to pray); 15:18 (what comes out of the mouth proceeds from heart);
Week 4: 16:26 (what will it profit a man); 17:23 (he will be raised on third day); 18:3 (unless you come as a little child); 19:6 (no longer two but one flesh); 20:28 (Son of Man came not to be served but to serve)
Week 5: 21:13 (house of prayer); 22:37-39 (great commandment); 23:12 (whoever exalts himself); 24:14 (this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world); 25:40 (as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers)
Week 6: 26:41 (watch and pray); 27:29 (twisting together a crown); 28:19-20 (Great Commission); Mark 1:35 (rising early in the morning…desolate place); 2:17 (those who are well do not need physician);
Week 7: 3:14 (he appointed twelve…to be with him and to send them out); 4:20 (sown on good soil, hear the word and accept it); 5:19 (go home to your friends and tell them what the Lord has done for you); 6:7 (sent out the twelve two by two) ; 7:7 (in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men);
Week 8: 8:29 (who do you say that I am); 9:24 (I believe, help my unbelief); 10:44 (whoever would be first among you must be slave of all); 11:24 (whatever you ask in prayer, believe you have received it); 12:10 (chief cornerstone);
Week 9: 13:31 (heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not); 14:36 (remove this cup from me); 15:39 (truly this man was the son of God; 16:6 (He is risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him) ; Luke 1:32 (he will be great and will be called son of the most high);
Week 10: 2:11 (unto you is born this day); 3:4 (a voice crying in the wilderness) ; 4:18 (the spirit of the lord is upon me); 5:32 (I have not come to call the righteous) ; 6:35 (love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return)
Week 11: 7:34 (the son of man came eating and drinking); 8:14 (choked by the cares and riches of this world); 9:23 (anyone who would come after me let him deny himself); 10:2 (pray the Lord of the harvest); 11:13 (if you know how to give good gifts, …how much more will the heavenly father give his HS);
Week 12: 12:8 (whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father); 13:24 (strive to enter through the narrow door); 14:27 (whoever does not bear his own cross cannot be my disciple; 15:7 (more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents); 16:13 (no servant can serve two masters)
Week 13: 17:33 (whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it); 18:7 (will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him day and night); 19:10 (son of Man came to seek and to save the lost); 20:38 (he is not God of the dead, but of the living); 21:28 (when these things take place…your redemption is drawing near);
Week 14: 22:19-20 (he took the bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it); 23:34 (father forgive them for they know not what they do); 24:46-47 (it is written that the Christ should suffer…and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed); John 1:12 (he gave the right to become children of God); 2:22 (they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken);
Week 15: 3:16-17 (God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world); 4:24 (God is spirit…worship in spirit and in truth); 5:39 (you search the scriptures because you think in them you have eternal life); 6:35 (I am the Bread of Life); 7:38 (out of his heart will flow rivers of living water);
Week 16: 8:12 (I am the light of the world); 9:39 (for judgment I came into this world); 10:10 (the thief comes to steal … I came that they may have life); 11:25 (I am the resurrection and the life); 12:32 (when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself);
Week 17: 13:35 (by this all people will know you are my disciples, if you love); 14:21 (whoever has my commandments and keeps them); 15:5 (I am the vine, you are the branches); 16:7 (it is to your advantage that I go away); 17:21 (that they may all be one);
Week 18: 18:36 (my kingdom is not of this world); 19:17 (and he went out, bearing his own cross); 20:31 (these are written that you may believe); 21:25 (now there are also many other things that Jesus did…the world itself could not contain the books that would be written)
