Editor’s Note: We recently sat down with Kathie Brown to talk about the blessings that come from memorizing Scripture. Kathie not only loves memorizing Bible Scripture herself, but she also thoroughly enjoys encouraging others to do the same. We hope you not only enjoy reading our interview with her, but that you personally are encouraged to step into this discipline that pays such rich dividends!
TSS: Kathie, thank you so much for your willingness to talk with us about Scripture memory. When we think of that discipline, the verse from Matthew 4:4, where Jesus quoted the Old Testament to a taunting Satan, “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” When you listen to those words, what thoughts come to mind?
KB: I am reminded to ingest one word at a time. Before I started in scripture memorization, I didn’t read slowly enough. I read too fast. I didn’t see every word. But God has placed great importance on every word and where He places them. Even the smallest words. Look at the word “all” and how often it is used in Scripture. When we go and study those words, we see all new phases of God’s Word.
Looking at the whole verse is so important.
Reading in context is so important.
Reading for understanding is so important.
But slowing down really brings all of those into better view.
Noticing a word has led me to memorize a verse, which has led to a passage, then to a chapter. All build on each other. Everything I read I want to memorize now!
TSS: How has your memorization affected your everyday living?
KB: Every time I recite God’s word back to him, it is a blessing and praise back to him. That he would allow me to hide his perfect word in my sinful heart awes me. It’s for Him, and He uses that to transform me. He has broadened my concept of what Scripture memorization is and how it transforms both me and others.
When I invited (my first group) to memorize Scripture with me, that was a really big deal for me. I was nervous. But that first step took me into so many other groups. Including others of different faith traditions. We are memorizing at the pace of that group’s understanding. A new woman who was widowed a year ago recently joined one of our groups. The other women told her that their memorization has brought them back into God’s Word. Another dear friend chose to memorize Scripture throughout her terminal illness, knowing that it would help her picture and prepare for her heavenly home. She is now in heaven, seeing everything she memorized firsthand!
TSS: What verse has touched you most deeply?
KB: I can’t limit it to just one. The first that comes to mind is Romans 5:8. That God would choose to love me while I was in my most sinful state is just incredible and drives me on towards more. There is also John 1:1-14 – those verses roll off my tongue. Romans 12 is the practical living out of the theology that the apostle Paul unpacked in Romans 1-11.
When my husband came to me a few months ago in excruciating pain, Scripture memorization kept me from being anxious and gave me peace as I awaited the doctor’s report at the hospital. Scripture overcomes anxiety.
TSS: What have been your greatest hindrances to memorizing Scripture?
KB: Not prioritizing it. Being too busy or too old is not really true. Older people may find it harder to memorize, but they bring into their memorization a wealth of life experience that only adds to their comprehension of God’s Word!
TSS: What has been the most surprising verse for you to memorize?
The first verses are in Ephesians 2:5-6. We see that we are dead in our trespasses, but God, in his rich mercy and great love, saved us and seated us in the heavens with Christ! Ephesians ties the whole Bible together!
Hebrews 10: 19–25 surprised me by deepening my understanding of the church. Jesus gave His life for the church, and because His body was torn like the temple curtain, our worship has been completely transformed. Through Him, we are not only reconciled to God but also united with one another. We are called to encourage each other toward love and good works and to gather together regularly. This passage helped me see the vital role of the church and deepened my love and appreciation for it.
TSS: What advice would you give to someone who is just considering starting Scripture memory?
KB: The most important thing you can do is to be accountable to others. We so quickly fall away when we are memorizing alone, but when we have a group and a date that we are working with and toward, we take it more seriously. Robert Morgan’s book, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart, is a highly recommended tool. It gives you the preface on how to memorize. It is divided up by topics that provide an organized system. Being part of a group also gives us an even deeper understanding of God’s Word as each person brings to the group what God has revealed to them.
I would also strongly urge someone to pray first! Pray that God will give us the ability to memorize, but also simply pray His Word back to Him. He promises that His Word does not return void.
TSS: In closing, what would you say has been the biggest blessing of memorizing Scripture?
KB: Memorization aids my sanctification. I see the condition of my heart and can confess that to God and offer that part of my heart to Him.
— The Sublime Soiree © November 2025
