”We live in a time when there is no shortage of Bibles. We can get our hands on as many as we like, and in numerous translations. But some day this may not be the case. What if our Bibles are taken away? Or what if we are in the situation where we don’t have a bible and need to share its truth? Would we be equipped to stand in such a time as that?”
This is going to be a Different kind of post. Not about ministry, not about a cool story, not about interesting living conditions.I want to share with you one of my passions. Scripture memorization.Why I do it; and think it’s important. Then invite you to be a part!
Since the start of of the race, I have challenged myself to memorize a chapter a month. This is something I did as a child, My parents were great at encougaging scripture memorization. It’s someothing I didnt even realize I was so passionate about, until being on the race. I was able to share about this with my squad during a debrief, and I want to share it with you all now.
I believe every true Christian should memorize the word of God. Why? Because it teaches, commands us to do so. In Hebrew the word meditate means to read a passage over and over in a low murmuring tone to impress the word on the mind and commit it to memory. And, there is power in the word of God!
Hebrews 4:12” For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
I love this verse. Its. So. Powerful. Gods word, is POWERFUL. God can use just his word to convict and save. All we have to do, it share it. No commentary, no sermon behind why we think it’s important, just his raw words.
In Colossians 3:16 the apostle Paul instructs the believer to let the words of Christ richly dwell within us. This means when we are meditating on the word of God and memorizing His word it is taking up residence in us. It inhabits us! He will never leave.
I want to share a story from my life. one of my reasons behind why I want memorize scripture.
My grandma suffered from a form of dimension. It was a slow thing, but then it got bad. I would go to visit her, she would forget my name, my birthday, who I was. I would have to remind her. The last time I visited my grandma, her memory was so bad. She couldn’t remember anything. But every night, we would read the Bible together. During this time, she could remember. It was like she didn’t even have a memory problem. She could remember worship songs, and she would quote verses of the bible with me. She would talk about the passages…. It was so amazing. I know that this wasn’t coincidence. God’s word was hid in my grandmas heart. It inhabited her. And even when her memory of earthly things faded. The word of God didn’t. It remained alive in her!
Why is it That Important to Memorize Scripture?
1.We memorize Scripture to be Successful. Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
2. It will make your prayer life more effective.
John 15:7 you abide in me, and My words abide in you. You shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done unto you.
3.Memorizing Scripture convicts us of sin.Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you
4.We are commanded to memorize Scripture. Deuteronomy 11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
5.Memorizing Scripture will hep us help others. Psalm 119:97-10097 Oh how I love your law!It is my meditation all the day.Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
6.Scripture memory will keep us from error. Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
How to Memorize Scripture!
Ok, so here we are! Time to put into practice memorizing Scripture. I will not tell you this will be easy. It will take work and discipline on your part. However, this will be the most rewarding and beneficial work you and I will ever set out to do. It can be done! I am living proof, it can be done! Be encouraged, I am right here learning beside you. Let’s get started!
First Things First!
Pick a book or passage to begin with.
If you are going to start with a book, I would suggest a short book such as James! I have listed some passages I have memorized below that are so good!
Ps 23-shepherds psalms
Ps 100 -praise and thanksgiving
Ps 51-trust
Matt 6-Lord’s Prayer
Luke 2-birth if Christ.
Col 3 how to love
John 3-salvation message
John 15-abiding in Christ.
Gen 1- creation
Let’s do this! Practical application:
So, here’s my challenge-I want to memorize a book of the Bible. And I want YOU to do it with me!
The book of James.
Don’t freak out yet, theres 5 chapters in James. I am planning on learning 1 chapter a month for the next 5 months. Then come November, we will have a whole book of the Bible in our hearts and minds!
Now, if you don’t feel led to do this, I would love for you to find something else you would like to memprize. Pick from the list above!
Set realistic goals for yourself. You know your schedule better than anyone else. Pick the time of day which works best for you. We all know some days will not work out but pick a time and try to stick to it. If you do not set a time from the start chances are you will probably not stay with it.
Decide how many verses a day to memorize. It could be 1 or 10! I try to work on 3-4 a day. Get an accountability partner. Find someone who will hold you accountable, Someone you can recite what you’ve memorized with. I would love to be partners together with this!
A Few Methods of Memorizing!
Go to Google and search, “How to memorize Scripture” and you will find hundreds of ways to memorize. It can be a little overwhelming! I am only going to share with you what I have found to work for me.
Audio Format:
This is the #1 way I memorize. I find a recording of the passage I want to learn. My go-to reader is Charleston Heston. He has the best voice, seriously.Then I just listen to the audio every night. I put it on repeat and go to sleep listening to it. It’s that simple!
Some other ways:
Record in your own voice the passage or chapter you are working on. For instance, I recorded myself reading James chapter 1. {Repeat this with every chapter in the book you’ve chosen.}
Listen to the recording over and over as many times a day as possible. If you don’t want to hear yourself, there’s tons of Bible on audio apps you can use instead.
Write it: Write the verse or verses you are working on over and over again. I usually write the verse at least 4 times using a different color pen for each writing. Another option is to write the verse or verses on index cards. This is a convenient way to carry them in your purse, tape them to your mirror or fridge.
* Always stick to the same translation until you master the passage. If you use a different translation do so only after you have finished the book or passage you’re working on.
* Use the verses you memorize to witness, train your children, and in everyday conversations. This is God’s word, it is alive and active!
*if you have kids, get them in on this! Add hand motions to the words for a fun way to learn. you all be surprised how much using motions will help you too!
I hope this post was an encouragement and challenge to you! If you would like to be a part of my “James accountability group.“ Post your email below, and I can send you my Month 1 guide on how im breaking it down day by day to memorize. I can’t wait to hear what you memorize-we can do it!!!
love you all!
