Keep Bible verses in your heart and use them in prayer with four memory apps.
Games, topic packs, flashcards and self-tests are the four methods in this selection. Verses for Life includes the Prayer pack. Versify lets you select passages, Wrinkly combines reading with games and memory tests, and DiciplMe offers flashcards for selected verses and topics.
All four apps have Android and iPhone versions. Wrinkly’s Android listing describes data synchronisation through an account, and DiciplMe can lock other apps until you finish a short practice session.
Bible memory apps
1. Versify: games in eight translations
Versify lets you choose the passages you want to learn and practise them through games, with your progress tracked as you go. The available versions are the ESV, NIV, NASB, NLT, CSB, BSB, LSV and KJV.
On Google Play, Versify is marked as having neither advertising nor in-app purchases. Apple’s listing also indicates no in-app purchases.
Advantages:
- Eight English translations.
- Games for practising memorisation.
- Progress tracking.
Tip: say the book, chapter and verse aloud before reciting the passage.
2. Wrinkly – Bible Memory: several learning strategies
Wrinkly, by Oakwood Software Consulting, combines several memorisation strategies. You read the passage, play games with it and test yourself to see what has stuck.
The Android description says data is synchronised between devices when you sign in using the same email address. Wrinkly’s Android edition has no adverts; neither store entry lists in-app purchases.
Advantages:
- Reading, games and tests in one place.
- Sync across devices with an account.
- No purchases listed on either store.
Tip: test yourself the next morning on what you learned the night before.
3. Verses for Life: topical packs including prayer
Verses for Life organises memorisation in packs. The Topical Memory System is included, together with packs for the Roman Road and for prayer.
The iPhone listing describes Verse Quiz, a part of the app with a show/hide control for practising one verse at a time. For Verses for Life, Google Play shows that adverts and in-app purchases are both absent, and the iPhone listing has no in-app purchases either.
Advantages:
- The Topical Memory System.
- A pack of verses about prayer.
- One-at-a-time quiz practice.
Tip: begin with the prayer pack and say each verse as part of your morning prayer.
4. DiciplMe: flashcards by topic
DiciplMe groups hand-picked verses under everyday topics such as marriage, money, temptation, identity and giving. You assemble a study list and practise it with flashcards, and you can add your own verses and topics.
On Android, App Lock uses an accessibility service to recognise apps you have chosen to restrict. Access to a locked app requires a brief session of verse practice. You can switch the feature off, and the description says app checks take place on the device. Both platforms describe learning without adverts and allow a choice of translations; their store entries also list in-app purchases.
Advantages:
- Verses grouped by life topics.
- Flashcard practice.
- An optional lock on distracting apps.
Tip: use App Lock on one app you frequently open and choose when to complete the verse practice.
Final verdict
- Versify offers memory games in eight English translations.
- Wrinkly mixes reading, games and self-tests, with sync through an account.
- Verses for Life provides topical packs, including one about prayer.
- DiciplMe uses topic-based flashcards and an optional App Lock.
The opening choices are BIBLE COURSE for online Bible courses offered at no cost by universities and seminaries; BIBLE APP for reading and listening to Scripture in a daily routine; GOSPEL MUSIC for gospel and worship listening on a phone; and BIBLE GAMES for activities that introduce biblical stories and verses.
