The Hard Work of Memorization

Our faculty seeks not to merely educate students, but to also be part of the transformation God brings through education. In Eden, God walked and talked with Adam in the cool of the day. Are we to imagine they were not talking about the trees, flowers, animals, and skies? Should we assume Adam then quickly forgot what he learned through his talks with God, like looking in a mirror and then forgetting his face?

Part of being faithful in the big ship of the universe with God at the helm is the hard work of memorization—and it is very hard. There’s a lot of memorization and recitation at Capstone. We don’t do it because we think a lot of work is useful. We do it because beauty and truth and good things are always useful, both for whatever God brings to our hands and hearts in the future, and simply because what is beautiful and true and good is worth enjoying for its own sake. Beauty is worth admiring and remembering. Truth is worth talking about and storing in the heart. Goodness is worth celebrating, recording in memorable ways, and singing about in community gatherings.

Like Adam in the garden with God in the cool of the day, our motivation for having students memorize is not from arrogantly wanting to be the best—wanting to do more than others. It’s the opposite: It stems from humble hearts recognizing that beautiful, true, and good things have been said and done by others, and we ourselves are great by remembering in our hearts and celebrating with our voices.

In light of this, please continue encouraging your children in the hard work of memorization. If they struggle, the following strategies may help your family work together in this worthy journey. Memorization can be done when:

...the words are written out in full, over and over. What the hand draws, the mind remembers.
...small sections are said aloud over and over. What the lips say, the ear remembers.
...what has been written and said is now said to another person. Talking to others helps make what is like jello suddenly become rock solid. Don’t keep it inside.
...it is not complained about. While it's natural to complain about what is hard, this doesn’t change that we need to love what is true and good, rather than be repulsed by it. Encourage your children and model hard work with a joyful heart.

Throughout this process, pray—aloud and silently—with and for your child. It isn’t easy. You know this; now they’re learning that, too. It is good to ask God for wisdom and strength, and watch Him respond.