GOD'S Rx FOR CHRONIC PAIN
and group Bible study
Tools for Memorizing Scripture
The importance of memorizing Scripture and applying it to our daily lives cannot be stressed enough. How often pieces of Scripture float to the surface of our thinking just at the moment we need it. God's words are not just for church time-they are for every moment of every day; and we must encourage each other to use them!
Memorizing Scripture is hard for most everyone; but for those in pain, it is a mountain they think they cannot climb. Because of this I-can't-do-that attitude, I have developed a variety of techniques that I have found helpful over the years. (Be sure your group uses the same Bible version for memory work. New International Version is a standard as well as the New King James. Pick one with which you are comfortable, though I advise against using the Amplified Bible.) All Scripture below comes from the NIV.
- Read together the entire memory verse from the Bible out loud. Copy it using 3X5 cards-you say the verse in small phrases: "Matt. 6:33"-pause-"But seek first his kingdom"-pause then repeat "But seek first his kingdom"-pause-"and his righteousness"-pause and repeat etc. At the end repeat the address, "Matt. 6:33" Some members will want to copy the verse while you speak it and others will copy straight from the Bible. Read cards together when everyone is finished. Emphasize accuracy in this step.
- Discuss the meaning of the verse by reading it in the context from which it came, i.e. What does "all things" mean?
- Discuss where members can tape the 3X5 card so that they will see it frequently, i.e. refrigerator, computer screen, mirror, car, etc.
- Encourage them to personalize the verse, i.e. "I will seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness."
- Choose a small phrase to learn each lesson. For example, in Phil. 4:6 start them with the phrase, "Do not be anxious about anything" Ask them to apply that phrase to events in the coming week so that they may share next Lesson.
- As each week progresses, you will add to the Scripture, one phrase at a time, i.e. to "Do not be anxious about anything" you will add, "but in everything."
- Point out punctuation and phrases, i.e. in Phil. 4:6 there are four commas and five phrases which means that it will take at least five lessons for the group to complete memorizing this Scripture.
- Call attention to repetition of words or similar phrases, i.e. in Ps. 27:1 both sentences start with, "The Lord." The end of each sentence is similar, "whom shall I..." and "of whom shall I..."
- Use gimmicks such as drawing pictures for words, either mental or on paper, i.e. "my light" engenders an image of a light bulb, "stronghold" brings to mind a fortress. One young lady declared the perfect image for "my salvation" was chocolate. None of us forgot this verse!
Encourage group members to share how they applied the memory verse to their daily lives during the week. Memorizing Scripture increases in importance when they can hear each other apply what they are learning to the "dailyness" of living with chronic pain. As your group evolves, you will be adding even more techniques to this list.
Recommended Class Techniques
(B) Beginning of class:
- Everyone say verse together (can use Bibles, note cards, memory).
- Have everyone say it individually... if someone is unsure or didn't learn the verse, they can use Bible.
- As I've discovered, when Bibles or notes are readily available, confidence comes more quickly.
(Q) Discussion question:
- Based on a characteristic of the verse, i.e. "When did you seek the Lord this last week?" (based on Matt. 6:33)
(E) End of class:
- If it's a new verse, have pens & 3x5 cards available and follow #1-4 above.
- Stress the importance of using the Scripture throughout their week.
Suggested Scripture for Memorization
Lesson 1:
E: Matt. 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
- Use techniques listed above #1-4
- Because it's the first Lesson, I had each person say the verse directly after one another, since it's easy to remember by rote. This seems to relax the pressure that comes when someone announces, "We will be doing Scripture memorization every week."
- Memorize this Scripture and be ready to say it next week.
Lesson 2:
B: Everyone recite: Matt. 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Q: When did you seek God this last week?
E: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
- This Scripture can be a 3 to 4 weeks memory verse. Give them: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything..." for the first week.
- Point out the commas that break this verse up into smaller pieces
Lesson 3:
B: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything..."
Q: When were you anxious this last week? Did you claim Scripture? If not, how would it have helped.
E: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition..."
Lesson 4:
B: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition..."
Q: What health situation caused you to go to prayer this last week?
E: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving..."
- Adding a small segment to the verse allows for folks to catch up on memorizing.
Lesson 5:
B: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving..."
Q: What were you thankful for this last week?
E: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Lesson 6:
B: Phil. 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Q: What requests did you make to God this last week? What happened next?
E: Phil. 4:7 "And the peace of God..."
- If they can learn these 2 verses together, Phil. 4:6-7, that's wonderful. If not, just present it as a new verse.
Lesson 7:
B: Phil. 4:7 "And the peace of God..."
Q: When did you find peace in the midst of chaos this last week?
E: Phil. 4:7 "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding..."
Lesson 8:
B: Phil. 4:7 "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding..."
Q: Did anything happen this last week that didn't make sense?
E: Phil. 4:7 "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Lesson 9:
B: Phil. 4:7 "And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Q: Can we remember the two verses together? Phil. 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- You may want to take an extra week for Phil. 4:6-7.
- If members can say these 2 verses together, even using a Bible or note cards, they will feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
- Checking in the Bible is NOT cheating but should be encouraged.
E: 2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart."
Lesson 10:
B: 2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart."
Q: Did your health discourage you this last week? How?
E: 2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away..."
Lesson 11:
B: 2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away..."
Q: What is outwardly "wrong" with you? Does this discourage you?
E: 2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
Lesson 12:
B: 2 Cor. 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
Q: How were you renewed this last week?
E: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles"
- Notice this is the next verse in the Scripture. As your group gains confidence, they may be ready to tackle these 2 verses together. Verse 18 will be added later on so be sensitive to how many verses are a challenge, and how many are intimidating.
Lesson 13:
B: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles"
Q: Do your troubles really feel so "light"? Whatever does light and momentary mean?
E: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us"
Lesson 14:
B: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us"
Q: What can our troubles be earning us?
E: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory
Lesson 15:
B: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory"
Q: What are your troubles worth to God?
E: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
Lesson 16:
B: 2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
Q: What does "eternal glory" look like?
E: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen"
Lesson 17:
B: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen"
Q: What did you fix your eyes on this last week?
E: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen."
Lesson 18:
B: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen."
Q: When were you hurting this last week but chose to focus on the things of God?
E: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary"
Lesson 19:
B: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary"
Q: What happened this last week that made you realize your suffering is only temporary? What can you do if you are focusing too much on your temporary condition?
E: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal."
Lesson 20:
B: 2 Cor. 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal."
Q: What confidence can you have that your illness will not last? How do you know?
- Review all 3 verses and determine how much they remember.
- 2 Cor. 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Now that a pattern of Scripture memorizing has been established, here are some other suggested Scripture to memorize. Of course, any word memorized that is God's word will always be useful. These particular verses were meaningful to my groups:
Ps. 27:1,2
2 Chronicles 20:17
Heb. 12:1
John 14:27
Rom. 12:12
John 14:6
Isa. 40:31
John 16:33
Rom. 8:28