# Memorizing Biblical Stuff **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2010, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515 "2010-08-26T10:45:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/1 "2010-08-26T10:45:22Z")
I have sudden need to brush up my Bible. I suppose you can guess why, but I would rather not say. In any case, my Old Testament is passable, my New Testament has awkward gaps. Kevin Roose in his remarkable book _Unlikely Disciple_ infiltrated Liberty University for a semester. He mentioned the other students, all quite religious, were brought up on simple childhood songs that taught such things as all the names of the books of the Bible in order. Other songs listed the various prophets and so on. Neat trick, anyone know a site that stuff like that? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/2 "2010-08-26T12:19:05Z")
No help on the link(s) but I can attest to a method that I was involved in as a pre-teen. My dad was intent on my participating in Sword Drill at the Southern Baptist church we attended, so he organized our church’s efforts toward such a thing. I have long since lost any affiliation with the denomination and church in general so I can’t provide any data more recent than the early 50’s. But Sword Drill was a 5-part contest for kids in the same age group and there were several age groups. Three parts were memory exercises and (as best I can recall) were on these topics: – Books of the Bible – Books on either side of a specified book – Passages from both testaments The other two parts involved looking up stuff in the Bible itself: – Specific book – Specific passage There was an official hardback Bible required for each participant, and there was some choreography to the whole business. About all that remains in my usable memory from those days is that I can say all 66 books (King James) in order in one breath. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/3 "2010-08-26T14:51:21Z")
To memorize the books of the Old Testament, in order, try this chant: 5-12-5-5-12 It means: 5 Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) 12 History (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 &2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) 5 Poetry (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) 5 Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel) 12 Minor Prophets (Hoseah, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) For the New Testament, another five-part chant: 4-1-13-8-1 It means: 4 Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) 1 History (Acts) 13 Pauline Epistles (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon) 8 General Epistles (Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude) 1 Prophecy (Revelation) I’ve written a children’s book that may be of help to you (even though you’re not a child). If you’re interested, e-mail me off boards. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/4 "2010-08-26T15:05:40Z")
I remember that, in order to memorize the Pauline epistles, we used to have a chant back in my Catholic HS days: Ro Co Co Gal Eph Phi Col Thess Thess Tim Tim Ti Phil Heb (Romans I Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Phillippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians I Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews) If you say it right, it sounds like some kind of college football chant and the rhythm will maintain it in your memory (it’s worked for me for 20-odd years!). ETA: Our religion text in the 80s still named Hebrews as Pauline, although it did note that there was some dispute. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/5 "2010-08-26T15:19:52Z")
This link explains the Bible Sword Drill as it works in Texas these days. The Alabama version of the early 50’s wasn’t too different. [http://www.sbtexas.com/church\_ministries/youth\_ministries\_bible\_drill.htm](http://www.sbtexas.com/church_ministries/youth_ministries_bible_drill.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Uncertain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Uncertain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncertain)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/6 "2010-08-26T15:26:58Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > I have sudden need to brush up my Bible. I suppose you can guess why, but I would rather not say. ??? [Benefit of clergy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefit_of_clergy)? ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/7 "2010-08-26T15:29:56Z")
Youtube has a bunch of songs of varying quality listing the books of the bible. Here [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixMvFdeo-F0&feature=player\_embedded#!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixMvFdeo-F0&feature=player_embedded#!) is one. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/8 "2010-08-26T16:29:08Z")
> [@Uncertain](#): > > > [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > > I have sudden need to brush up my Bible. I suppose you can guess why, but I would rather not say. > > ??? > > [Benefit of clergy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefit_of_clergy)? Nope. Keep the ideas coming. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/9 "2010-08-26T16:41:20Z")
Here are a couple for you. They will load up to a midi page so you can play the tune (it’s designed so you can learn to play it on the piano), but there are options to listen to the words/music, or music only, in a recorded format. [Books of the New Testament](http://lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=116&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=116&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) [Books of the Old Testament](http://lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=114&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=114&searchsubseqend=ZZZ) The words are set to melodies that are familiar in our church, so you might not have it as easy as we do. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/10 "2010-08-26T16:57:13Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > [@Uncertain](#): > > > > ??? > > > > [Benefit of clergy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefit_of_clergy)? > > Nope. > > Keep the ideas coming. I’m guessing that he’s going on Jeopardy. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/11 "2010-08-26T16:59:39Z")
When I was in college, I had to take OT and NT courses, both required. In the NT class, we had to be able to write the books of the NT in order. Each of us had a song mnemonic that we had learned as a kid or picked up from someone else in the class. During the final, it was hilarious because we could tell when each person had gotten to that question because they would start humming to themselves. The one I knew was not to any tune in particular, so I can’t help you there. The words were not just the actual names of the books. Here goes: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans-and-the-two-Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First-and-second Thessalonians. First Timothy, Second Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James. First Peter, Second Peter, First-Second-Third John Jude and Revelations. That was from memory, and the class was in 1981. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/12 "2010-08-26T17:33:12Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > > Nope. > > > > Keep the ideas coming. > > I’m guessing that he’s going on Jeopardy. Nope. Keep guessing. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/13 "2010-08-26T22:40:12Z")
You’ve converted to Christianity? ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/14 "2010-08-26T23:31:25Z")
You’ve enrolled at Liberty University? ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/15 "2010-08-27T00:26:54Z")
You’re dating a very Christian woman? ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/16 "2010-08-27T01:42:15Z")
You’re going to have a Bar Mitzvah… In Qatar. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/17 "2010-08-27T02:53:41Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > You’re dating a very Christian woman? Engaged! ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/18 "2010-08-27T03:02:01Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > [@Indistinguishable](#): > > > > You’re dating a very Christian woman? > > Engaged! Mazel tov! But that doesn’t explain the biblical pop quizzes. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/19 "2010-08-27T03:15:04Z")
She works at a Bible college. I want to be able to chit-chat. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515/20 "2010-08-27T03:24:36Z")
Ah, well I’d recommend some Marcus Borg as a jumping off point. He has a book called _Reading the Bible Again for the First Time: Taking the Bible Seriously but Not Literally_ and the _Heart of Christianity_. It won’t help do sword drills or anything like that, but probably will give you two a lot to talk about. Congrats again! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorizing-biblical-stuff/551515.md?page=2)