How can I memorize the books of the bible in order?

Question

Does anyone know an easy way to remember all the books of the bible in order? I've been studying and reading them over and over again but when I go down to write it I blank...any one have some rhymes or songs to remember??

its for an exam in bible college....not just for my own knowledge (not that it will hurt)

Answer 1

I think that if you break it up into categories it will help, that is what I did...Think of them this way...
Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament-39 books)
Christian Greek Scriptures(New Testament-27 books)

Of the Hebrew Scriptures, Historic (1-17, {the first 5 are sometimes called the Law}; Poetic (18-22), and Prophetic (23-39). I even broke up the Prophets into the first 5, the long books and the last 12 into the short books)

Historic(1-5) the LAW or Pentateuch and were written by Moses:
1 Genesis
2 Exodus
3 Leviticus
4 Numbers
5 Deuteronomy

Historic:
next the coming into the promised land, and the Judges appointed by God to help his people:
6 Joshua
7 Judges
8 Ruth
next, come the Kings and their history
9 1 Samuel
10 2 Samuel
11 1 Kings
12 2 Kings
13 1 Chronicles
14 2 Chronicles
The next three are all related in their times and stories
15 Ezra
16 Nehemiah
17 Esther

Poetic
18 Job
19 Psalms
20 Proverbs
21 Ecclesiastes
22 Song of Solomon

Prophetic: (long)
23 Isaish
24 Jeremiah
25 Lamentations
26 Ezekiel
27 Daniel

28 Hosea (short)
29 Joel
30 Amos
31 Obadiah
32 Jonah
33 Micah
34 Nahum
35 Habakkuk
36 Zephaniah
37 Haggai
38 Zechariah
39 Malachi

Next comes the Greek Scriptures, or New Testament (27 books in all)

The first 4 books are considered the Gospel
1 Matthew
2 Mark
3 Luke
4 John

then the
5 Acts (of the Apostles)

Next comes Pauls letters to the congregations 6-19...Romans through Hebrews:
6 Romans
7 1 Corinthians
8 2 Corinthians
9 Galatians
10 Ephesians
11 Philippians
12 Colossians
the 5 T's...
13 1 Thessalonians
14 2 Thessalonians
15 1 Timothy
16 2 Timothy
17 Titus

18 Philemon
19 Hebrews

next ...
20 James (written by the brother of Jesus)

21 1 Peter
22 2 Peter ( 1 & 2 written by the Apostle Peter)

23 1 John
24 2 John
25 3 John (1,2, & 3 written by the Apostle John)

26 Jude (written by another brother of Jesus)

and last, written by the Apostle John also...
27 Revelation

I think it also really helps to know something about each one of them, and where they fit into the scheme of the Bible's theme. Who wrote them, where, what they teach us and such. The more you learn of the bible, the easier it is to memorize, it helps to put things in order. Anyway, I hope this helped a little!

Answer 2

Bible Books In Order

Answer 3

There is no one size fits all. The song was the best for me as a child. We used it in Sunday School as a group exercise. Some folks like to memorize while walking, it gets you isolated and away from the noise. Braking it down in sections is also a very good method, because that requires a little bit of studying the Bible. Once you become familiar with the structure and have them in their proper place, it starts to make sense. Besides your brain is nothing but a big old file cabinet and it is nice to have the proper storage bin for each section.
Although the memorizing during my youth worked well, it faded as i attended Churches that did not use it during the service or recommend studying it on your own. The Apostle Paul sure recommends it. So fine a Church or Pastor that uses the Bible during service and study it on a regular basis. We have some great study aids in online downloadable programs, i like E-Sword, but there are several. Download it to your computer and study it when you need a break during the day, in the evening before bedtime and in the morning to start your day. I promise you will not forget the Books of the Bible and your Spiritual life will grow.

Answer 4

Okay, I learned a song for the New Testament, but it's hard to write it without the notes. I'll try. I don't know about the Old Testament though.
Matthew Mark Luke Johnny Acts
Romans first and second Corinthians
Galatians, Ephesians, Phillipians Collossians
First and second Thessolonians
First Timothy, Second Timothy
Titus, Philiman, Hebrews James
First Peter, Second Peter
Three Johns, Jude and Revelation

Here are some links:
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/kjvbkssong.html
http://64.185.28.227/memory-work/Song04.htm
http://www.studybible.net/book/

Answer 5

Make up a mnemonic device using the first initials of the books. I did that with the minor prophets and I still use it [in my head] today].

Answer 6

The New Testament books work to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". Seriously.

Answer 7

OK, I will be the difficult one here - why? Is it not more important to understand than memorize?

Answer 8

keep a small bible withe you , thats beter than memorizing