@MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE IS POWER!
Memorizing Scripture
Memorizing Scripture satisfies one’s hunger to meditate upon God’s words day and night. (Ps. 1:2) As a person with chronic pain, however, memorizing can be stressful. The Old Testament states that through discipline and study there is a reward: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Josh. 1:8 NIV) Try using a key, a commitment, a plan, and accountability, to empower your study and memory of God’s words.
THE KEY? Holy Spirit Power!
Invite the Holy Spirit to divinely enable you to learn God’s life-changing words. Confess God’s ability to plant His words, not just in your mind, but in your heart as well: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13 NIV)
THE COMMITMENT? Daily Effort!
Make a decision to prepare yourself with God’s truth so that you can meet over-whelming circumstances and distressing relationships with God’s words: “…the one [Holy Spirit] who is in you is greater than the one [Satan] who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4b NIV)
THE PLAN? Consistency With The Details!
Decide why you want to memorize Scripture. Then determine how long you want to study the verse, be it two minutes or ten, just make the commitment. Where will you practice the verse? What materials will you need? When will you practice?
The habit of hiding God’s word in your heart may come more quickly if you add it to something you already do daily. If Bible study is an everyday occurrence, add five minutes of memorizing. If quiet time with the Lord is sporadic or often interrupted, don’t despair.
- Brush your teeth daily? Add 5 minutes of study.
- Commuting a grind? Tape record the verse or carry a 3×5 card with the verse on it while in transit.
- Picking up kids? Arrive early so that you can practice your verse.
- Read before going to sleep? Add pencil and paper to the nightstand.
- Have a daily constitutional? Place memorizing materials within easy reach.
Planning is essential to successfully memorizing Scripture: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28 NIV) Try using each of the following techniques to determine which methods are effective for you.
1. Say, then copy the memory verse for each chapter in your journal, on a 3×5 card, or in this workbook. Place the Scripture reference at the beginning and at the end like this:
John 1:18. “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” John 1:18.
Check to make sure you have placed words in the exact order and punctuation is accurate. You will want to refer back to your written verse each day. Use a Bible dictionary or glossary—frequently found in the back of your Bible—to look up any unfamiliar words.
2. Write or say a personal gratitude prayer based on the Scripture. For John 1:18, it might go something like this: “Father God, I am so thankful that you sent your One and Only—Jesus Christ—to give me a glimmer of who you are and how much you love me. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus reveals your passion for fellowship with me.”
3. Restate the verse in your own words, applying it directly to yourself, such as: “John 1:18. Only Jesus has seen Father God because He was, is, and shall always be by His side; and when I die I too shall see God on His throne. John 1:18.”
4. Say, then write the verse. Check to make sure it is totally accurate. Look for patterns in punctuation and phrasing (P&P), first letter and word patterns (L&W), and look for any gimmick to help you remember J. For example in John 1:18:
a. Punctuation and phrasing (P&P)—there are three commas making four phrases to learn.
b. Letter and word patterns (L&W)—“God, but God” (word pattern), “One and Only” (letter pattern), “has seen” and “has made” (verbs).
c. Gimmicks J—fun stuff that helps you laugh, dance, sing, or draw while you learn. In the Scripture example, John 1:18, there are two ones in the address and the second word of the verse is also one. This gimmick might make you smile: “John one-and-a-one-and-an-eight-and-a-No-one” (John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God…”).
5. Draw pictures for some of the words or use different colored pens. Try writing Scripture verses with chalk or paint. Use sand, rice, or chocolate pudding as your method and have fun cleaning up J. You might try singing your verse. (Scripture put to music can be found at: www.joycenter.on.ca/menujs.hl?cass4.h)
6. Say, then copy the verse leaving out important words, like this:
______ 1:18 “______ ______ has ever seen ______, but ______ the ______ and ______, who is at ______ ______ ______, has made ______ ______.” John ______
Rewrite the verse filling in the missing words. Then, say or write the verse again without looking.
7. Share your memory verse with email friends by typing it again and again for each friend instead of copying and pasting the text.
Choose the methods useful to you and don’t fret. Scientists have determined that you learn more from your mistakes then you do when you don’t make any.
ACCOUNTABILITY? Stifle Procrastination!Commit reciting your Scripture memory verse to at least one person each week.. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Eccl. 4:12 NIV) You will never regret accessing Holy Spirit power, committing to daily effort, planning for consistency, and requiring accountability in learning God’s words. It is not the speed or quantity of verses learned that is crucial, but rather keeping spiritually healthy with God’s words deep in your heart for the tough times in life. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts…” (Deut. 6:5-6 NIV)Scripture
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