One of the challenges I've had when memorizing Scripture is tying the verse to the verse reference. Even when I have the text of the verse down, I might not know exactly where to find it.

Listening to a message by Rick Warren, he mentioned a simple trick that I've since implemented that has helped considerably. When practicing and repeating the verse, Rick suggested stating the verse reference both before and after saying the text of the verse. It's a simple suggestion, but it helped a lot.

Previously, I had focused on saying the verse, the translation version, and then the verse. Now I say the reference, the verse, the reference again and then the version. For example:

  1. Mark 10:45
  2. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
  3. Mark 10:45
  4. NIV

This ties the reference to the verse by stating the reference at the beginning. And it ties the verse to the reference by stating it at the end. And by shifting the translation to the end, I've moved it out of the way as a barrier to that connection. As a bonus, the Remember Me app I've been using for some time shows the verse in this very way when reviewing the verses as flashcards.