It is my intention to primarily use email to update the participants in the Memorizing Scripture Together effort (click here to learn about the program). However, this morning I logged in to the software I use to send those emails only to find that it is down for maintenance until 9 AM tomorrow morning. And so I’m going to post this on the blog today just to keep people in the loop. The email blast will go out as soon as the software is available again.
As we began the program last week I received some immediate feedback. Much of it was of the “this is tough!” variety. And I tend to agree. Memorization does not come easily to most of us, so we are only going to commit passages to memory through long, hard work and through endless repetition. Speaking personally, though, I can say that already I’ve found these times to be a blessing. It has been a worshipful time as I’ve repeated God’s praises again and again. I’ve emphasized different words and phrases as I’ve gone through it and have repeated it with different focuses. This has kept it fresh in my mind and has kept me seeking the “heart” behind the passage.
Every week I want to offer a tip, a suggestion, an interview or something that will help us in our efforts. This week’s tip is very simple but very effective.
Use Index Cards. Choose a portion of the verse that you’d like to master that week, and either write or print it on an index card. I wasn’t able to find printable index cards at Staples so instead purchased cards meant to be inserts in name badges (Avery #05392). They are slightly different dimensions but work just fine. Print the verse on one side and the citation on the other. Put this card in your pocket or in your Bible or in some place where you are bound to come across it at least once or twice a day. You may also wish to print up several of the cards and place them around the house—on the bathroom mirror, above the kitchen sink, below your computer’s monitor, on the fridge, and so on. That way, at any time, you will have the verse near you and can recite it a couple of times between other activities. As the program continues you will build up a collection of these cards and you can skim through them every week or two to ensure that the verses stay fresh in your mind. This is a memorization technique “classic” but one that continues to reap benefits.
This Week’s Fighter Verse
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3
This Week’s Passage
Those of us who are working on the longer passage are focusing on Psalm 8. This is a three week project, taking us until December 14.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8
Join Us!
We would love for you to join us. I plan on sending out weekly emails (every Sunday) to remind you of the commitment and to tell you about the new verse. If you’d like to participate in the program, I ask as well that you sign up for these emails (though you certainly do not have to if you don’t want to). Otherwise, just keep an eye on this blog and dedicate time to memorizing the Scripture passages.
Comments (18) »
1. Curtis
November 30, 2008
8:24 AM
A comment to all who have made a profession for Christ.
The best way to not only memorize scripture but to help properly apply it, is to teach it to others. Start with your kids, or your wife, friends, and move out from there. Try memorizing just the first part at first and repeat it to your loved one, tell them what the verse means, go read some commentary, use it in context in real conversation.
Then take it out into the world, if the topic of a particular verse comes up, use the verse, and explain it to the strangers you encounter, the gas attendant, the bank teller, or store clerk, start conversations with the intent of sharing the truth with others. They may look at you funny, or even mock you, but if you are going to be obedient and take the message of the truth to the lost, Jesus promisses you’ll face persecution. He never said life will get better or easier, but harder, it could cost you everything. If on the otherhand you keep it to yourself, and only talk about it with other Christians you can escape the promised trials and tribulation the Lord said would happen to His faithful.
You may stumble or forget part of the verse, that’s ok, talk about what you know, share the Gospel. What other reason is there then to be ready to spread the truth? The primary mission of all Christians is to preach the gospel to every creature, so go, and do as the Lord commanded, be a peculiar people.
Millions have died for this message, Christ said that the world will hate you, do they, how have you suffered for this message, are you carrying the cross, or have you ever even picked it up?
The same words we are memorizing are the words that saved us, and they are the very words God will use to save others. Interesting these are called “Fighter Verses”. Fighting whom, or what? We battle against spiritual forces, forces that have bound mankind in sin, and the only way they will be freed from that hold sin has is through the word, through Christ. So keep hiding the word in your heart, and take that word to the dying world.
CH Spurgeon
“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that. The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”
2. Kathy
November 30, 2008
8:35 AM
I’m so glad you are doing this. It is such a great motivator!
Though it was very familiar before, I now have 2 Timothy 4: 16-17 down pat. Parts of Psalm 8 were familiar, but I can now recite from memory the whole thing very haltingly. I’ll continue to work on it. The new scripture is one I already knew (as part of a larger section which has now become fuzzy through disuse!)
Some years ago I had committed myself to scripture memorization. I would take my index cards along with me as I walked for exercise. I found that speaking the scriptures out loud worked much better than trying to memorize them silently. But I’m quite sure I became known around the area as that strange women who walks around talking to herself :-)
3. Curtis
November 30, 2008
8:46 AM
Kathy said…But I’m quite sure I became known around the area as that strange women who walks around talking to herself :-)
Lol, I don’t often laugh this early in the morning, but that is just too funny. Just as long as you aren’t known as the cat lady that talks to herself. ;b
4. Rita Martinez
November 30, 2008
1:41 PM
I’m just doing the fighter verses because I don’t haveenough time for both things. The good news is I think 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is officially engraved in my mind and heart after aweek i can still recite it in english and spanish :D
by the way yesterday I bought Mere Christianity so I’m set for that :D
5. Alice
November 30, 2008
3:43 PM
Somewhere I found an easy method to learn long passages. Unfortunately I can’t find it to just link to it but it goes like this.
Day 1: read the first verse 10 times trying to burn it into your memory. Then recite it 10 times.
Day 2: recite yesterday’s verse 10 times; then repeat Day 1 for the 2nd verse
Day 3: recite yesterday’s verse 10 times; then recite the 1st and 2nd verse. Then repeat Day 1 for the 3rd verse
Day 4 and beyond. Continue the process of reciting the verse worked on the previous day 10 times, then going back and reciting the whole passage before reading the new verse 10 times and reciting it 10 times.
6. Kathy
November 30, 2008
4:27 PM
Curtis, I’m glad you got a good laugh! I’m afraid to admit it, but I have several cats :-)
I use a similar method to that which Alice has mentioned, except the time frame is shorter. It is a method that works well. Many times I repeat the verses as I am lying in bed at night. It seems like sleep helps solidify them in my brain by morning.
7. Matthew
November 30, 2008
5:56 PM
Hello everyone!
While I’m not along for the ride on this one with youz guyz, here is a helpful .pdf that has always served me well.
http://www.pulpit-pimps.org/images/Christian%20living/Memorizing%20Scripture%20-%20Paper.pdf
Hope it helps!
8. Sonya
November 30, 2008
6:00 PM
It is hard work memorizing longer passages but it’s been so rewarding. I think I finally understand what it means to meditate on Scripture. As I constantly repeat each verse i find myself dwelling on wording and the meaning of words, wondering why certain words and tenses were chosen… I’ve never really tried to memorize Scripture before and this process has brought exciting new life with my time in the Word. Thanks again Tim for the idea of doing this as a group and thanks to all of you who are participating. It provides encouraging motivation. I had asked several friends and family to participate with me but had no takers. It was a little discouraging, but I remember all of you. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is memorized and I’m working on Psalm 8. The index cards helped a lot!
9. Larry Nicolas
November 30, 2008
6:56 PM
Thank you, Tim, for your idea to memorize scripture together. I’m especially grateful this, and “Reading the Classics” together, is bringing the body together, beyond denominational lines. Bringing us closer together as one, just as Jesus prayed for.
I’m going to use memory techniques by Jerry Lucas, “Dr. Memory”, a NBA Hall of Famer, who co-authored a best-selling Memory Book in the 1960’s. He has openly shared that he is Christian and has authored other books for applying his techniques to memorizing verses and even whole books of the Bible verbatim.
For memorizing single verses, he has some study cards for about 300 verses, each with pictures to diagram his word associations. I personally feel that his methods are more effective than any other technique that I’ve heard about.
The study cards are still available for purchase, but I was disappointed in his selection of verses. Lucas authored two other books, I believe they are out of print, but available from used-book websites. “His Word” is a bible memory system for memorizing the book of Mark, word-for-word. “Remember the Word” a Bible memorization system for learning each of the four gospels, thought-for-thought. The methods for systematically memorizing whole books is very interesting and creative.
The method for simple memorization is to imagine exaggerated, ridiculous, disproportionate associations between the words and “sound-alike” words in our verse. Making a simple drawing is recommended. ( I’ll offer my very amateurish sketch if anyone asks.)
Following is my picture:
A donut (DO NOT) is wrapped around a THING (creature with hair from head to foot, with eyes and feet), standing on barrel of RUM with an F written on it (F-RUM). A loaf of RYE bread, with wheels, explodes from the barrel and is VALET parked (RYE+VALET sounds like RIVALRY). The valet runs into an oar (OR) held by a CONvict SEATed in an electrict chair (CON+SEAT sounds like CONCEIT). A ram BUTts the chair into a HUMID TREE, with a letter N hanging from a branch, as well as
dew drops, for humidity, exploding in the electric chair. The
convict transforms into COUNT dracula, who counts the OTTERS (OTTERS sounds like OTHERS) in his coffin. The otters jump out of the coffin to go to a campfire to eat sMOREs, as will as drink out of CANs with trafic SIGNals IN them (SIGNal +IN + CAN sounds like SIGNIFICANT). THAN (a T-shaped creature with many hands, as well as hands for feet) joins them, having a hand for each of the otters. The THAN grabs an Y-OAR (an oar with a letter Y on it) that is being held by many ELVES.
(DO NOT) THING F-RUM RYE+VALET OAR CON+SEAT BUTT N+HUMID+TREE COUNT OTTERS sMORE SIGNal+IN+CAN THAN Y-OAR ELVES.
I would enjoy working with anyone that would like to work together on this to help us all memorize more efficiently and enjoyable at the same time.
Blessings!
10. Curtis
November 30, 2008
8:03 PM
Kathy
Don’t worry about it, in most stories, the cat lady who talks to herself, that everyone thinks is wierd, usually turns out to quite a kind person. :-o I hope you understand I’m just joking with you, I love cats, just as long you don’t have like 50 or something.
Gods grace and peace be with you.
11. Curtis
November 30, 2008
8:14 PM
Larry Nicolas
Interesting memorization method, but do you think there may be a danger in that practice when applying it to memorizing the word of God? Just seem we already, as a people, think of the scripture out of its context enough, shouldn’t we focus on the actual meaning rather than thoughts and images that have nothing to do with the text. It could become a bad habit, and could even lead to misunderstanding or confusion. I suppose I’m one who is willing to do the extra work of repetition, it takes more diligence but I think in the end I think it is more rewarding. Just my 2¢.
12. Elaine
November 30, 2008
9:34 PM
I am up to verse 5 in Psalm 8. It’s been great meditating on the verses while memorizing. I use index cards also and post them everywhere! One of the things that has helped is to listen to the verses. I have the Bible on CD, spoken word only, and listen to it in the car. I say it along with the narrator and it has really helped.
I don’t think I could the method that Larry wrote about. I struggle just to learn the verses as they are without adding extra stuff! :-)
13. Kevin Sorensen
December 1, 2008
6:15 AM
I’m wishing everyone well in their memorization. I’ll not be joining this particular “program” since I have two going on in my own life at present. I’m currently preaching through Ephesians and my personal challenge is to memorize Ephesians. I have a 24 week schedule that sees me working on 6-8 verses each week with a couple of review weeks thrown in for good measure.
I take each verse, print it out on plain white business card stock purchased at the local office supply store. Then, so the cards last a long time, I used a business card laminating machine to laminate each card. Next, I punch a hole in one of the corners and place it on a 1 1/2” ring. I’ll have two rings by the time I’m done: one ring with chapters 1-3, another with 4-6. This makes it easy for review: just keep flipping through the verse cards.
I keep these cards in my car. While I’m waiting at stop signs/lights, I can quickly review or refresh my memory on the latest group of verses. But since they’re on the rings, I can easily take them elsewhere too. It’s proven very handy.
I also purchased a small journaling notebook for this purpose as well. In the front, I simply handwrite out the week’s passage. I find that writing by hand helps to solidify the passage in my memory far better than simply typing it out on the computer. Then, starting in the back of the notebook, and working towards the middle, I review the verses/passages each day… again, writing them out. Sometimes, I write one phrase, then re-write it and add a phrase. This takes a long time and I only do it with passages that are giving me a difficult time. Hard work? Absolultely, but it’s paying off.
The other verse “program” is at our church, where we’re doing our own “Fighter Verses” each week, with some volunteer standing up to recite that week’s verse before the whole congregation just prior to the start of the worship service. A thrilling and tremendously encouraging time for all. I’m memorizing those weekly verses (right now, there are about 20 verses out of Deuteronomy), sometimes in ESV, NIV and KJV since our people primarily use those three. Why all three versions? I’m the one up front who will help them out a bit if they start to stumble on a word or two.
I trust God is pleased as His people treasure up His Words in their hearts.
14. Carol Blair
December 1, 2008
4:27 PM
I am memorizing Psalm 8, and what a blessing it is.
This evening, just after sunset, we have the opportunity to see in the southwestern sky an unusual display of “the work of [His] fingers, the moon and the stars, which [He] has ordained”: a close configuration of the crescent moon, Venus, and Jupiter. Such a display will not occur again until the year 2052.
15. Mary Eady
December 2, 2008
12:21 AM
I LOVE being a part of this and knowing that you guys are out there learning the same scriptures I am. My paternal grandfather knew entire chapters of scripture by heart and would just flow into them through the course of conversation. I have so longed to have that same kind of engraving on my own heart but have sadly never put the effort into memorizing scripture until now. And WOW — it seems that genuine desire makes a lot of difference. Today I can say Psalm 8 in its entirety as well as the 2 Timothy 3:16-17 verses. Am starting on Phillippians today. Kevin — I love that you are memorizing Ephesians. I have often thought knowing Romans by heart would be a powerful tool, but considered it an impossibly task — you have me thinking about it again.
Thanks, everyone, for sharing in this! It’s such an inspiration. And Kathy — there are two crazy walker/talkers. I’m also a crazy driver/talker. :) We’re in good company!
16. Jackie
December 2, 2008
1:03 PM
You know, it is really hard to think of others as better than myself. I really like myself. I want the only Dragon Fruit Vitamin Water in the fridge. I want to use the Mac laptop instead of my spouse using it. And this is all just in my house. Imagine having to leave the house and apply this! Gasp.
I think memorizing Phil 2:3 is easier than doing it.
17. Curtis
December 2, 2008
8:05 PM
Jackie, You are so right, taking on the role of a servent/slave is hard for us by nature. You’ll notice all the verses in scripture that use bond-servent(a non word), should better be translated as slave. When used rightly you will see our life is one of a slave. Christ showed this type of love with His disciples in washing their feet, the lowest form of service a servent could do. Also to think Christ washed even Judas’ feet, even though He knew he was going to betray Him, WOW!
It also follows with the commandment, love other as yourself. We shoe our love for self in how we take care of ourselves, ie. washing ourselves, feeding, clothing,…as indicated by Christ when He said, I was in prison and you visited me, naked-clothed…To show that kind of love for others is not done through our own power, that love comes from God, so really our only hope to live a life of love for other can only be accomplished through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit through us.
I also believe that the bible shows that love through evangelisation, if we truely love people we will do for them what God has done for us, in that He extended His love for us through salvation in Jesus Christ, and in turn we take the Gospel to the lost. This is the ultimate way to show love for others. We can cloth, feed and show all kinds of love to the world, but the only love of eternal value is to go to them with enough love to tell them the truth about their sin, and who God is and what He has done to show His love by crushing His Son on the cross.
Hope this helps.
18. Virginia Brasov
December 5, 2008
9:38 AM
I read this a while ago…
Why Memorize Scripture?
(Psa 119:10-12 KJV)
With my whole heart have I sought thee O Lord:
O let me not wander from thy commandments.
{11} Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
{12} Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Memorizing Scripture has many benefits. In Joshua 1:7-8 the Lord tells Joshua,
(Josh 1:7-8 KJV)
Only be thou strong and very courageous,
that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law,
which Moses my servant commanded thee:
turn not from it to the right hand or to the left,
that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
{8} This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth;
but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,
that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:
for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Our spiritual prosperity will be greatly affected by our diligence to meditate upon and obey God’s word. Memorization is a means to meditation. As we memorize, Scripture, the Holy Spirit can then bring it to our remembrance, we can then meditate on it and apply it to our lives.
16 reasons to memorize Scripture:
1. Help in avoiding sin
Ps 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
2. Comfort in affliction
Ps 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
3. Spiritual life
Ps 119:93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
4. Wisdom
Ps 119:98-100 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. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
5. Delight
Ps 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
6. Guidance
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
7. Hope
Ps 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
8. Peace
Ps 119:165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
9. A heart of worship
Ps 119:171-172 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
10. Freedom
Jn 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
11. Makes Scripture readily available to teach, witness, encourage or reprove others
2 Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
12. Increases our faith
Ro 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
13. Victory over temptation
Mt 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, ’ Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (This is from the account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Jesus answered each of Satan’s temptations by saying, ‘It is written…’ then quoting a Scripture from memory.)
14. Confidence in prayer
1Jn 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
15. To imitate Jesus’ own example: Jesus often quoted Scripture, for example,
when teaching-(Mat 5:21-22 KJV)
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill;
and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
{22} But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:
and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca{GK=you worthless person}, shall be in danger of the council:
but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
when tempted-(Mt. 4:1-4),
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
{2} And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
{3} And when the tempter came to him, he said,
If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
{4} But he answered and said, It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
when confronting the Pharisees (Mt. 9:13),
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples,
Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
{12} But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them,
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
{13} But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:
for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
and when explaining the parables to his disciples (Mk. 4:12).
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God:
but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
{12} That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.