Memorizing Scripture Can Delay Cognitive Decline By Up To 14 Years
Neural plasticity is great, but Christlikeness is even better.
In the past, the central strategy for human learning was through memorization. Children and adults alike memorized things like the 50 states, a phone number, and lines from Shakespeare. But once Google and cell phones entered, rote learning was deemed unproductive and a waste of time. Why memorize something when you can access it in an instant?
But in recent years, more and more research reveals memory work contains startling benefits. In particular, it increases your neural plasticity.
A high neural plasticity promotes your ability to learn new skills and ideas, adapt to new experiences, recover from traumatic injuries, and fight cognitive decline. There are other benefits too, depending on what you memorize. You can spend time memorizing actors and movies in Hollywood, or you can dedicate yourself to Emily Dickinson’s "Poem 314." One may help you at trivia night, but the other will give you words and hope for the dark days of life.
As a Christian, I can't help but think about this when it comes to scripture memory. The benefits, both scientific and spiritual, are compelling—and it comes as no surprise to me that God would make this practice holistically helpful for his people. I won't deny that scripture memory is laborious. Yet, memorizing scripture is of greater benefit than having any geographic location, poem, or historical fact in our minds. These categories of information are important to be sure, but I would gamble that many of us have memorized more IG handles of our favorite influencers than words in scripture. (Another truth: You are memorizing things whether you realize it or not.)
I write this because you may find like I did, that fighting cognitive decline is a motivator for you to finally apply yourself to scripture memory. But along the way as you memorize and meditate, you'll find far greater rewards: the scripture hidden in your heart fighting sin, producing faith, and developing holiness.
Neural plasticity is great, but Christlikeness is even better.
My husband and I attended a college that made scripture memory part of their curriculum. 40 years later, we still have so may of those passages hardwired along with many others. I find it fills my mind bank for God to draw what I need to impress on my heart! Thank you for this great article.
I’m certainly grateful for every memorized word. Thank you for the push to continue—even though it’s not as easy as it used to be.