High School Students Find Hope Facing Depression and Loneliness with Bible and Faith Memorization

The power of memorization is acknowledged as an essential tool for gaining knowledge. Classical Christian education highlights the many benefits of memorization. In grade school and high school, classical education accelerates learning, and the memorization dynamic contributes to intellectual, spiritual, and character development. But it also aids in what is ailing a majority of students around the world.

It is known that Memorization leads to intellectual growth. At Hillcrest, students are exposed to a broad range of literature, poetry, historical documents, and Biblical passages. In memorizing these works, students store knowledge and more intimately engage with concepts that lead to fortitude and longsuffering through challenging times. Memorization is known to build the strength of the mind, improve critical thinking abilities, and widen comprehension of different subjects that act as a bedrock for understanding and interpreting the world.

Chad and Amanda Davison share the impact of memorization on their family.

Understanding the base benefit of memorization is important, but there is much more. Spiritual growth is a hallmark of the Hillcrest experience, and memorization is a key element in building muscles for faith formation.

At Hillcrest, students memorize Bible verses that, at a minimum, familiarize them with the Word of God. However, in Hillcrest’s discipleship program, memorization is an active guide, informing behavior and shaping opinions. As students grow, memorization becomes the scaffolding for points, arguments, and persuasive elements that reinforce Gospel truths and equip students to spread the Gospel to a world hungry for truth.

While these are likely reasons enough to highlight memorization, the pandemic of student loneliness and depression carries a cultural weight that Hillcrest’s memorization habits give a context of hope and comfort. Students memorize important aspects of the Christian faith, implanting the work of Biblical authors, theologians, and scholars to heart. At Hillcrest, students memorize prayers, hymns, and creeds that propel students to be intimately acquainted with the time-honored Christian faith. The close connection to foundational texts and doctrines equips students to think internally and comprehend and express their convictions, creating a robust spiritual basis.

Having memorization baked into the academic program is dynamic for students’ academic progress and future endeavors. Memorization promotes discipline, dedication, and a hardworking attitude that builds mettle for students who will inevitably face tough times. Students must exhibit self-discipline and commit to regular practice, constructing perseverance and tenacity in difficult situations. Memorization also helps students pay attention to detail, strengthen concentration, and increase patience – invaluable qualities for academic success beyond the classroom. The memorized works often contain moral and ethical teachings, which help cultivate a moral code that will inform their decisions and encourages upright behavior. The classical Christian education at Hillcrest benefits students whether they’re planning to attend Harvard or become a plumbing apprentice.

The use of memorization goes beyond the classroom and has a range of applications. Recalling information accurately and swiftly is immensely beneficial in various academic subjects. Studies in mathematics, science, and foreign languages lead students to memorize equations, words, and grammatical regulations, enhancing students' ability to utilize their knowledge accurately. The practice of memorization aids students as they mature into their golden years, developing long-term memory and sharpening cognitive skills, creating a mental archive of information that students can refer to over the course of their lives. This skill of recollection expands their capacity to evaluate, analyze, and combine new data, granting them a competitive edge in university studies and later stages of life.

At Hillcrest, memorization is of critical importance. Its significant influence on intellectual, spiritual, and character development is an invaluable foundation for students' lifelong success.