Hid In My Heart
Hid In My Heart
God has blessed me with a mind that memorizes comparatively quickly. When I first began methodically memorizing longer passages of Scripture, I progressed quickly down the checklist. The trouble came when I had ten or so lengthy passages, and less and less time for reviewing them all.
Several months ago, however, I discovered a system so elegantly simple that I should have thought of it before. Doubtless you have thought of it yourselves, but I thought I would share it here for those like me. :)
In a small box I have arranged forty-one index card dividers. They are labeled Daily, Odd, Even, the days of the week, and the dates of the month (1 to 31). I have an additional divider labeled “To Learn.”
Here is a brief summary of the method, but be sure to read the entire original article at Simply Charlotte Mason.
The mind is a limited resource; there is only so much you can keep there, so it makes sense to apply William Morris’s golden maxim, slightly adapted: “Commit nothing to memory except that which you know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Here is a simple list of these “best things.” If you have other suggestions, I would welcome them!
✦whole passages of Scripture
It is better to learn entire portions of Scripture than to squirrel away snippets. There is a richness of context which we lose when we only memorize a verse or two. Contrary to what may be your first impression, I have found it easier to remember an entire succession of thought rather than many disjointed fragments.
✦the Westminister Shorter Catechism or a similar summary of the chief doctrines of Christianity.
A catechism is a series of questions and answers about faith and doctrine, designed to help Christians develop a Biblically-structured belief and to teach them to articulate it well. Each answer/ point should be defended by Scripture proofs.
✦hymns and songs
The Scriptures tell us to make music in our hearts continually before the Lord. The best hymns are those rich in praise to God and in doctrinal instruction. You can learn a stanza or two from all of your favorites, or you can search for and memorize all ten.
There are also quite a few folk songs, songs commemorating a hero or historic event, and songs expressing love, sorrow, or joy. Nonsense songs and ballads are especially popular with children. Lullabies are very useful, too, where children are concerned!
✦especially profound or beautiful poems, or favorite passages from epic poems or prose
There are many poems and prose passages which express truth well and beautifully. Perhaps a sonnet of Longfellow, a tiny jewel of Emily Dickinson, or a Shakespearean passage has stirred you. I believe that every person should also be equipped with a few exciting or comic narratives which they have learned to deliver with good expression. This is invaluable in earning the respect and affection of little children!
I am very satisfied with the steady progress I have been able to make using this system. It ensures that I do not forget to review any of my passages, and yet I do not have to practice each of them every day. (It is good, though, to go through all of them when I have the time.) This has become such a pleasant and essential addition to my morning and evening habits.
COMMENT ON THIS POST BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO THE HANDMAIDEN.
HILDEGARD said...
Thank you for sharing this! I too have struggled with how to keep up the older memory verses while working on the new ones. I think this will be a good method, indeed.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 01:01 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
I am glad this is helpful to you!
Friday, November 27, 2009 02:59 PM
Friday, November 20, 2009