Jan-Dec 2020
Apr-Dec '18
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Scripture Memorization
Why Memorize Scripture?
Chuck Swindoll wrote, “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.”
For much more on why we should memorize Scripture, see what John Piper has to say on the subject.
Need more persuading? Consider the following:
Top 5 Reasons to Memorize Scripture.
If 5 isn't enough, how about Ten Biblical Reasons to Memorize Scripture.
Or you can keep it simple. Three important reasons to hide God's Word in your heart.
But do we really need persuading? Most of us know that memorizing Scripture is a good thing and that we would benefit greatly by doing so.
How to Memorize Scripture.
You can always freelance it. But if you feel you need some help, consider the following. If you have a system that works for you, let us know about it.
From Charlotte Mason (very big in the homeschooling world). All you really need are index cards with a box or two, and index dividers. Recommended verses along with dividers can be printed from templates available at this website.
Topical Memory System from The Navigators. You can order a product from them, but this page offers suggestions on verses to memorize, by topic.
memverse.com This is an online application (free, no software required) that keeps track of your verses, how you are progressing and more. You can take their demo out for a spin before signing up.
Scripture Typer Bible Memory System. This is an app available on a lot of platforms. It appears to be free. You can certainly try it out for free.
What to Memorize?
It is largely up to you. Some of the apps / websites above will provide you with verses to memorize, or offer suggestions.
For some quick suggestions to get started memorizing, consider the following:
From The Navigators Discipleship Training. ***
*** Highly Recommended.
My Personal Experience.
I tried memorizing Scripture years ago as part of a course called Basic Training. We were given a verse to memorize each week. All of us would madly try to memorize the verse at the last minute, and then we would promptly forget it as soon as we recited it. As part of the Navigators Discipleship training course I took (see earlier link) I finally succeeded in actually memorizing. The key, of course, is repetition. We didn't just learn a verse or two for a week, but we kept having to repeat them again and again. And they stuck.
I regret that I didn't start memorizing verses before. How beneficial has it been? I always imagined that being able to quote an appropriate verse at an appropriate time to others was the only real benefit. And I have certainly done that. It is so much more effective to be able to actually quote a verse rather than say "Well, the Bible has something or other to say on the subject." But it turns out that is not the biggest benefit. The biggest benefit is being about to quote Scripture to myself in times of need. I do it daily. Did not Jesus quote Scripture to Satan when being tempted in the desert?
Here is the link to the Navigators again. The verses selected are great and they cover a lot of important territory.
From The Navigators Discipleship Training.
1 My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV)
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:11 (ESV)
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. 19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (ESV)
21 Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they[a] will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
Proverbs 6:21-22 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)