How to Improve Your Accuracy
Posted on April 26, 2011
I’m someone who believes it’s important, not only to memorize Scripture, but to memorize It as accurately as possible when contrasted with the original text of your translation. Though it’s usually easy during the first week or so after memorizing a verse to quote it perfectly and without hesitation, I’m sure most of you have noticed that, over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain that word-perfect level of accuracy or even to remember where the verse is found. If you’re someone who doesn’t concern yourself too much with whether you say “Jesus Christ” or “Christ Jesus”, then this post may not be for you; but if you’d like to improve your ability to recall verses with 100% accuracy then I'd like to share with you a few things I have found helpful in my own personal experience over the past year.
First of all, take full advantage of Memverse’s Accuracy and Reference Recall tests. These features are specifically designed to make each one of your memory verses stick in your mind firmly, and present you with a wider range of verses than does the Practice and Memorize sections of the site. This forces you to rely solely on good memory skills without being given the preceding or upcoming verses, and lets you know exactly where you stand by presenting you with an updated calculation of your accuracy at the end of each test. If you are shooting for 100% accuracy all across the board, then I would personally recommend taking the Reference Recall test once each day for every 100 verses you’ve memorized and the Accuracy Test about 3 or 4 times per month (more or less).
Secondly, I have found Memverse’s ability to print out your memory verses for you amazingly helpful in keeping up with those often obscure passages that seem to elude the grasp of your memory. I keep an updated list of all my verses in a three-ring binder (using sheet protectors), and try to review at least two Scriptures from each page daily in addition to my regular memory sessions right here on Memverse. Keeping a physical copy of your memory verses is also perfect for those times when you are away from the Internet for long periods of time but would still like to stay on top of your memory work.
Finally, over the past few weeks I have discovered a brand new way to speed up the learning process when you’re committing new passages of Scripture to memory: simply write down your new verses in a pocket-sized journal and carry them with you when you’re away from home. This allows you to meditate in God’s Word day and night (Psalm 1:2) regardless of where you are and without having to face the frustration of forgetting your most recent verses while trying to review them on your way to work! You can usually get them quite reasonably, and I have found this particular journal by Markings publishers to be ideal for recording and reviewing Scripture when you don't have access to your Memverse account. It contains an attached ribbon marker, firm leather covers, and a pocket in the back to store 3.5 x 5 inch notecards and other small, paper items. I got mine at Wal-Mart, but they are also available on Amazon.
So what about you? What strategies have you developed (other than using memverse, of course) to make your your memory verses stay firmly planted in your heart and mind? I'm sure we could all benefit from your experiences and would love to hear what you have to say on the subject.
Tips
memorization, accuracy
18 responses to How to Improve Your Accuracy
Thanks Dakota! I personally like having the verses put to music. I <3 music, and listen to it 24/7. I have found that if I play a song over and over, I memorize it. So, why not put scripture to music? Although the official Bible Bee music was a little annoying, it helped A LOT. :D
Yes Sarah, I too have been helped immensely in memorization when I put verses to song. They stick so easy in your mind that way, and scripture songs are surprisingly easy to create. You don't much musical knowledge to just come up with a tune and set a scripture to it!
Great blog post, Dakota. I also struggle with 'Christ Jesus' vs 'Jesus Christ' but as I've paid more attention lately it seems as though it's translated (or originally written) in a very specific order to convey meaning. Does anyone have a full explanation that would help us understand the difference? (I did a brief web search and couldn't find a satisfactory reason).
If it's any help, (as translated by NKJV) "Christ Jesus" is only used in Paul's epistles except in the following verses:
Acts 19:4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
(NB this is Paul speaking....)
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
In the gospels, it's ALWAYS "Jesus Christ".
I know, that leaves a lot of room for confusion!! especially considering most people seem to be memorizing Paul's words rather than the gospels; BUT.... it is interesting that almost no one else uses the term, and it seems like Paul is pretty random in his use of either. Makes me wonder if there really is a difference.
If you have a Bible programme, such as the free On-Line Bible, do a phrase search, first of one then of the other. Read every verse and carefully consider its context; then ask God to show you if it's crucial to the intent of the passage. I'm sure He will give you wisdom, if you ask for it!! :) (James 1) Much better to go to the Source for the Truth. :)
Hope that didn't sound too.... I don't know.... I've just been learning so much by having to read God's word and trust that He is powerful enough to get through to my thick brain. I know we need each other, but I also think we spend far too much time seeking answers from man instead of from God Himself. Always there needs to be a balance, of course.... ok, off my soapbox now before I create an essay!! :)
Well put, Laurel! That's good to know that it's only Paul's letters that have it that way round. I did once look up all the verses and couldn't see a pattern to the usage but maybe I didn't spend enough time.
Lengthy, thoughtful blog comments are preferred, by the way.
Thanks for the journal idea! I have been trying to find something that I can use when I am not on memverse. I will defiantly use it!
Jacob - The accuracy test only scores based on the characters in the words and does not count the capitalization or punctuation. However, at the end of the test, it displays the difference between the answer provided and the correct answer; and in showing the difference, Memverse includes capitalization and punctuation differences.
I'm posting this here because GetSatisfaction hasn't been working for me recently.
A couple days ago, I did an accuracy test and typed in every verse perfectly. However, the test gave me a 90% score and said that I had typed something wrong when I was quizzed on Matthew 5:5. At the end of the test, in the list of verses it said I had gotten wrong, this is the exact text it gave me:
Blessed are (strikethrough)the(/strikethrough) the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
I typed in the verse exactly. This is not the first time this has happened. Can someone help with this, please?
EDIT: It turns out, although I typed this comment in Word and then copied and pasted, the strikethrough did not copy over correctly. I forgot that this is a simple text box, and I can't do any formatting except through HTML. I don't know the HTML code for strikethrough, so I just had to do what I did above.
Matthew - I'm not sure what happened, but I'm wondering if you meant Matthew 5:5 or 5:7. Did anything else have a strikethrough?
Oops. You know what, I don't remember whether it was Matthew 5:5 or 5:7. All I remember is that I did type in the right verse, whatever it was, and somehow it found a nonexistent error on the word "the". I'll fix that now so it says Matthew 5:5. Nothing else had a strikethrough.
Question -- Do you have to have 10 verses memorized before you can do the Accuracy test? Thanks.
Yes, Bethany. Since the A.T. only quizzes you on verses already memorized it requires that you have at least ten for it to choose from.
@Dakota -- Oh, that make sense! Thanks for answering my question...now I can go tell my friend :)
Hi, Dakota, thanks for the tips above. Are you (or Alex) able to update the hyperlinks in your original message at the top for ACCURACY and REFERENCE RECALL and MEMORIZE? All three no longer go anywhere. PRACTICE is still okay. Thanks.
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Thanks for the post, Dakota. As I slow down on adding new verses before the Bible Bee, I'm going to make accuracy a priority with the old and new verses in my account. I also appreciate the recommendation to take the reference recall test once a day for every 100 verses. I haven't been doing it often enough.
I've been trying to get in the habit of carrying cards so when I go to walk the dog or something else, I have verses to work on. Thanks for sharing the idea of a little journal.
I'm interested to hear what others have to say.