Test Your Scripture Memory - Fill in the Blank from John 3:16 to Psalm 23
Scripture memory isn't just about impressing others with how many verses you know—it's about hiding God's Word in your heart so it's available when you need it most. When temptation strikes, the Holy Spirit brings memorized verses to mind. When fear overwhelms you, Scripture memory provides comfort. When making decisions, remembered verses guide your steps. The verses you memorize become your spiritual arsenal, ready to deploy in every season of life.
This 50-question quiz tests your ability to complete famous Bible verses. You'll see the first part of a verse, then choose how it ends from four options. Easy questions (1-15) include the most well-known verses every Christian should recognize: "For God so loved the world..." or "The LORD is my shepherd..." Medium questions (16-35) test verses that regular Bible readers know but might not have fully memorized. Hard questions (36-50) challenge even dedicated Scripture memorizers with verses that are important but less commonly quoted.
Whether you're preparing for a Bible memory competition, checking your memorization progress, teaching Sunday School, or simply want to test how well you know God's Word, this quiz will both challenge and encourage you. And for verses you don't know yet? The quiz becomes a teaching tool, introducing you to powerful Scripture you'll want to commit to memory.
It equips you to resist temptation. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus didn't debate theology or share His feelings—He quoted Scripture. "It is written..." Three times Jesus responded with memorized verses from Deuteronomy, and Satan fled. You'll face temptations when your Bible isn't open. You'll need God's Word when you're alone and vulnerable. Memorized Scripture is your sword ready to draw, your shield ready to deflect. If Jesus needed memorized Scripture to fight temptation, how much more do we?
It provides comfort when you need it most. When anxiety grips you at 2am, you probably won't get up and search for the perfect verse. But if you've memorized "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27), the Holy Spirit will bring it to mind. When grief overwhelms you, remembered verses like Psalm 23 or "Blessed are they that mourn" comfort you. When fear attacks, verses like "Fear not, for I am with thee" (Isaiah 41:10) steady your soul. Scripture memory gives the Holy Spirit ammunition to minister to you in dark moments.
It shapes how you think about everything. Your thoughts are influenced by what you've filled your mind with. Memorize God's Word, and you'll find yourself thinking His thoughts. When facing injustice, Romans 12:19 reminds you "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." When tempted by materialism, Matthew 6:19-20 warns against storing treasures on earth. When considering marriage, 2 Corinthians 6:14 cautions against unequal yoking. Memorized verses become your internal counselor, shaping decisions before you even realize you're making them.
It prepares you to share your faith. When someone asks why you believe, can you answer? First Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready always to give an answer. Memorized verses equip you to explain the gospel clearly: "For all have sinned" (Romans 3:23), "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23), "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth... thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Without memorized verses, you'll stumble trying to explain salvation. With them, you can confidently share truth.
It proves you value God's Word above convenience. Scripture memory takes effort. It's easier to just "know generally" what the Bible teaches than to memorize specific wording. But exact wording matters. "The just shall live by faith" hits differently than "faithful people will survive." The KJV's poetic language in Psalm 23—"He restoreth my soul"—carries weight that "He renews me" doesn't capture. When you invest time memorizing Scripture word-for-word, you demonstrate that God's Word matters enough to get it right. That honor pleases Him.
If this quiz reveals gaps in your Scripture memory (and it probably will—most of us have gaps!), here's how to improve:
Start with verses that meet current needs. Don't memorize randomly. If you struggle with worry, memorize peace verses (Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:34). If fighting habitual sin, memorize verses about sanctification (1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 6:14). If questioning your salvation, memorize assurance verses (1 John 5:13, Romans 8:38-39). When verses address your actual life, they stick better and serve you immediately.
Memorize the reference with the verse. A verse without a reference is like a phone number without a name—you know it but can't cite it. Always memorize "John 3:16" along with "For God so loved the world..." Knowing the reference helps you find context, verify accuracy, and cite it when sharing with others. Say the reference before and after the verse: "John 3:16. For God so loved the world... John 3:16." It works.
Write it out repeatedly. There's something about physical writing that cements memory. Write your verse on index cards, post-it notes, or in a journal. Write it five times, ten times, twenty times if needed. The motor memory of forming the words helps them stick. Plus, you can post those cards where you'll see them—bathroom mirror, car dashboard, kitchen sink—and review throughout the day.
Say it aloud until it flows naturally. Don't just read it silently. Speak it with expression, emphasis, emotion. "The LORD is MY shepherd; I SHALL not want." Hearing yourself say it activates different brain pathways than reading. Say it while driving, walking, showering, exercising. Repeat until it feels natural coming out of your mouth, not like you're recalling facts but speaking truth you own.
Review daily, then weekly, then monthly. The forgetting curve is real—you'll forget new verses quickly without review. Memorize a verse, then review it daily for a week. Then weekly for a month. Then monthly for a year. This spaced repetition moves verses from short-term to long-term memory. Many people use apps or index card boxes with dated dividers to manage review schedules. The system matters less than the consistency.
How does the fill-in-the-blank format work? You'll see the first part of a verse (example: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not..."), and you choose the correct completion from four options. Some questions give you the beginning and ask for the end. Others give you context and ask you to identify a key phrase within the verse.
Are these all famous verses? Most are! The Easy questions feature the most-quoted verses (John 3:16, Psalm 23:1, Philippians 4:13). Medium questions include verses regular Bible readers know. Hard questions test verses that are important but less commonly memorized. The goal is to celebrate what you know while revealing what you could learn.
Why use KJV instead of modern translations? The King James Version's poetic, rhythmic language makes verses distinctive and memorable. "The LORD is my shepherd" sounds different from "The Lord is my shepherd." The KJV's unique phrasing helps verses stick in memory. However, the principles and truths apply across all translations—memorize whichever translation you regularly read.
Is this quiz suitable for children? Absolutely! Children ages 8+ learning memory verses for Sunday School will enjoy the Easy questions (1-15). The full 50-question quiz works well for teenagers and adults. Many families turn it into a competition—who can score highest? Who can improve their score the most on a retake?
Can I use this for Sunday School memory verse testing? Yes! Many Sunday School teachers use this quiz as assessment after teaching memory verses. It's also great for homeschool Bible curriculum evaluation, youth group competitions, Bible study accountability, and personal memorization practice. Completely free with no signup required.
What if I score poorly? Good! That means you discovered verses you need to learn. After completing the quiz, review the verses you missed. Choose 2-3 to memorize this week. Work on them daily using the memorization tips above. Then retake the quiz next week—you'll be amazed how much you improve with focused effort.
How long does it take? Most people complete all 50 questions in 15-20 minutes. Each verse appears one at a time with four answer choices. You get immediate feedback on each answer, which helps learning. There's no timer, so take your time thinking through each one.
Can I improve my score by retaking it? Definitely! Most people improve significantly on their second attempt because the first attempt taught them verses they didn't know. The quiz becomes a study guide. Take it once to discover gaps. Study those verses. Take it again to measure progress. Many people make this a monthly practice—continuous improvement in Scripture memorization.