Matthew 6:33 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What Matthew 6:33 says

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about food and clothing. They must seek first the kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33 in context

³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 6, verses 30–34. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

Matthew 6:33 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite Matthew 6:33 4 times as a proof text.

WSC 104
What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
HC 26
What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
HC 118
What has God commanded us to ask of Him?
HC 123
What is the second petition?

How to memorise Matthew 6:33

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.