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Scripture Memory By Joey Shaw
My central claim is that we can become like Christ
by doing one thing – by following him in the overall style of life he
chose for himself. If we have faith in Christ, we must believe that he
knew how to live. We can, through faith and grace, become like Christ by
practicing the types of activities he engaged in, by arranging our whole
lives around the activities he himself practiced in order to remain
constantly at home in the fellowship of his Father.
(Dallas Willard, in The Spirit of the Disciplines, page ix).
Some benefits of memorizing Scripture
(all but #6 taken from Spiritual Disciplines for the
Christian Life, by Donald S. Whitney, p. 41-44):
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Memorization
supplies spiritual power
(Ps. 119:11, see especially Matt.
4:1-11).
-
Memorization
strengthens your faith
(see Prov. 22:17-19).
-
Memorization
equips for ministry: witnessing, counseling, conversations, etc.
(For a good example of this, see Peter’s usage of the Old Testament
in Acts 2:14-40.)
-
Memorization
serves as a means for God’s guidance
(Psalm 119:24).
-
Memorization
stimulates meditation
(Psalm 119:97).
-
Memorization
fuels delight (Ps. 1:2, 19:7-11, John 15:11)
Methods and tips for memorizing
Scripture
-
Memorize the
verses word-perfectly (believe it or not, this makes things easier!)
-
Review and
meditate on the verses everyday. Pray the verse for yourself and
others.
-
Everyday, read
the verse aloud 20 times and then quote the verse 20 times without
reading it directly.
-
Draw picture
reminders; make the verse visual – like for Ps. 119:11, you could
draw a heart with a Bible inside of it, or for Eph. 6:17 you could
draw a sword, and etc.
-
Make up index
cards with the verses on them and tape them in strategic areas that
you will view daily.
-
Review the
verses when walking to class or at stop lights.
-
Review your
verses right before sleeping – like in your bed, with the light off…
fall asleep thinking reviewing them in your head.…zzzzz….. or when
you have trouble sleeping.
-
Talk to people
about your verses; use them in conversation.
Remember, the ultimate goal is not just memorization, but
Godliness!!!!!!
The law of God is good
and wise,
And sets His will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness,
And dooms to death when we transgress.
Its light of holiness
imparts
The knowledge of our sinful hearts,
That we may see our lost estate
And seek deliverance ere too late.
To those who help in
Christ have found
And would in works of love abound
It shows what deeds are His delight
And should be done as good and right.
The law is good, but
since the fall
Its holiness condemns us all;
It dooms us for our sin to die
And has no power to justify.
To Jesus we for refuge
flee,
Who from the curse has set us free,
And humbly worship at His throne,
Saved by His grace through faith alone.
( Matthias Loy, 1873)
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