" ...and every breast which committeth His Words to memory, God shall cause, if it were that of a believer, to be filled with His love ..."

Memorisation of passages from the Writings is considered an important element of institute courses. So let's explore some ways in which we, as tutors of study circles, can help and encourage participants to memorise.
Naturally, pressure on those who find memorisation difficult should be avoided. However, there is ample evidence that study circle participants who lack confidence in their ability to memorise, have discovered the joy of being able to commit just a few words or small passages to memory, after sensitive encouragement by tutors. As their confidence and courage grows, so does their ability to recited longer passages by heart.
The tutor's encouragement is a key element in fostering a sense of commitment among all the study circle participants to making every effort to memorise the set passages. The tutor's own commitment to the process is also vital.

In Section 25 of the unit "Becoming a Tutor" in Book 7, it states: "By now you yourself have learned many passages by heart and know the value of being able to draw upon the power of the Creative Word, whether in moments of personal reflection, in times of difficulty, or in teaching the Cause. You may have also taught small children how to memorize quotations from the Writings as one element of a Bahá'í children's class. Much of the experience you have acquired will be helpful to you now in working with the members of your study circles. At this point, it would be worthwhile for you to explore some of the ways you can help them succeed in memorization. ..."

Some ideas for motivating and maintaining memorisation as part of the study circle are:

1.  At the start of the study circle, discuss the reason for and importance of memorisation.
2.  Make memorisation a part of every study circle session.
3.  Share your expectations and plans for memorisation with participants. Emphasise that learning just a few words is a good start!
4.  Give participants a list of the quotations they will be expected to memorise.
5.  Use different activities and methods to maintain motivation.
6.  Discuss memorisation aids for personal memorisation.
7.  Encourage support and assistance among the group - learning together (eg in pairs).
8.  Go back and revise earlier passages to help permanent retention of memorisation.

Memorization activities in study circles:

1.  Group memorisation with background music at start of session.
2.  Group memorisation with whiteboard - gradually delete words (this can also be done with flip chart and "post it" stickers to hide words).
3.  Go round and say one word each.
4.  Practice memorization in pairs (this is a very effective method with those who are not confident in reciting aloud in a large group).
5.  Practice as in "everyday conversation"- (saying to each other as in conversation). This is a good method to use for quotations that may be used for teaching purposes (unit 3 of Book 2 especially).
6.  Puzzles - Cut up quotations and put each quotation into an envelope. Give groups an envelope to put back together. Or, cut up quotation written in bold letters and hand out a piece to each person: either, group puts back together on floor or table - or, individuals say their piece in the right order.
7.  Put quotation to music and learn to sing as a group.
8.  Choose a quotation to print out for each person. Ask everyone to decorate and give as a gift to another person (draw "secret" names for recipients of gifts).
9.  Get participants to make a book of quotations .

Some aids for individual memorisation:

1.  Make a tape and listen in car or at home.
2.  Have a small book (eg small photo album) with quotations - take on walks or elsewhere where you may have a few spare moments.
3.  Mindmap, imagery.
4.  Actions.
5.  Writing out quotations.
6.  Large posters - visual aids around home.