The Tide Technique

(an example from Memo Devo: Memorization as Devotion)

2Corinthians 11:2-6

Subject: No Other Gospel (Mormonism, JW, etc.)

DAY 3

2Corinthians 11:4

4 For if someone comes, PREACHING another JESUS whom we have not preached - or if you receive another SPIRIT whom you have not RECEIVED, or another GOSPEL which you have not RECEIVED, you might well tolerate him.

The Tide Technique

After having put verse 4 in my short-term memory, rather than going back to verse 2 and trying to run all three verses together just yet, I first only go back to verse 3 and begin there, running 3 and 4 until I can do just those without looking. Only then do I go back and add verse 2 and try to do the whole passage together, like a tide slowly going in and out over the whole passage until it's solidified in my short-term memory and ready for testing. Although I've never done a “scientific” comparison, I really do feel I am repeating the verses more often this way than if I were doing a traditional approach of going back to the beginning every time. And I think it's mostly because my brain feels less fatigued and is more encouraged by more successful run-throughs of smaller sections.

Put it Together

2 For I am JEALOUS over you, with godly jealousy. For I have PREPARED you for one husband, to PRESENT you as a PURE virgin to Christ. 

3 Yet I FEAR, however, that just AS the SERPENT TRICKED EVE through his subtlety, so your MINDS may be CORRUPTED from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ. 

4 For if someone comes, PREACHING another JESUS whom we have not preached - or if you receive another SPIRIT whom you have not RECEIVED, or another GOSPEL which you have not RECEIVED, you might well tolerate him.