Where do you find time to memorize Scripture?

Where do you find time to memorize Scripture?

Listening to mp3 while commuting to work or school

3 by 5 card on mirror while brushing teeth

Ipod while exercising

Don't eat breakfast until you have reviewed

Call your memory partner each day and recite on phone

Type it to your facebook friend

Forward your scripture passage instead of other email forwards

Waiting in line at grocery, bank, doctors office

Turn off the TV or computer and just do it!

In her book "His Word in My Heart," Janet Pope says

His Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture for a Closer Walk with God

" I have been taking my two teenagers to the orthodontist once a month for the last four years, two years each. Instead of sitting in the waiting room listening to secular music and reading tacky magazines, I often wait outside in my car, going over my verses. You can cover a lot of territory in thirty to forty-five minutes. This is just one example that has worked for me. It wouldn't work with a three-year -old. You will find your own pockets of time as you look for them.

"Time is a precious commodity, with only twenty-four hours allotted to each one of us each day. I am not by nature an efficient time manger, but I have learned to utilize little moments here and there for God's Word. Though two-minute slots may have seemed insignificant at the time I began memorizing, they have added up to an enormous amount of Scripture memorized in ten years. I am now working on my ninety-first chapter. I do not share that to overwhelm you, but to show you that great progress comes a few minutes at a time."

Write us about where you find the time...

NEXT POST: Encouragement from Joshua One.

Scripture Memory Helps You (Part Two)

Scripture Memory Helps You (Part Two)

Are you motivated by learning how Scripture memory helps you? “Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) Memorized Scripture like Psalm 139 can frame our prayers. Memorized Scripture can be brought to mind when you are talking to others about your faith. (Mark 13:11).

Here are four more ways from Tim LaHaye’s book called How to Study the Bible for Yourself. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=916962&netp_id=437714&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers

4. It speeds up the transforming process All Christians have God’s promise that we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We experience that transformation bit by bit here on earth. Memorizing Scripture accelerates that process through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). It is not enough to “take off” thoughts like envy, resentment, fear, or other though patterns that are contrary to God’s will for our minds. We must “put on” new ways of thinking. Scripture memory gives words to God’s thoughts and places them in our minds continually.

5. It helps you discover God’s will for your life Tim LaHaye writes “Sometimes you have to make instant decisions in life; there is no time to run to your Bible or notebook studies. With a backlog of scripture stored in the cells of your brain, you will find it much easier to make the right decisions.” (page 144)

6. It facilitates your other study of God’s word Again in Tim’s words “The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. The more basic verses you have in your mind, the easier it is for you to understand scripture in the light of other scripture. Young Christians often spend a lot of time reading commentaries about the Bible. But after you learn Scripture you will find that commentaries will take less of your time and may be used only when confronting a difficult passage or in preparation for a public message.” (page 144)

7. It outfits you for unlimited service to God Scripture memory is a foundation upon which God can build many types of structures. Think about how God used the rabbinical training of Paul so that Paul’s writings extensively quote the Old Testament. While none of us will be writing scripture, we can influence those around us with Christian wisdom that applies not just to sermon preparation, but everyday choices about business, child-rearing, relationships, creativity and much more. People around us need God and God’s wisdom. Scripture memory is one tool that God can use to help you serve more effectively.

What benefits have you received from Scripture Memory? Write us at the blog and encourage all our readers.

NEXT TIME: Where do you find time to memorize?

Scripture Memory Helps You! Part One

Scripture Memory Helps You (Part One)

How is memorizing scripture going for you? Were you able to implement any of the ideas so far? Did you find a way to listen to the passage over and over with learning through hearing? We would be honored to hear from you!

Today, be encouraged that Scripture Memory combined with a soft heart towards the Holy Spirit can help you be more like Christ. Tim LaHaye wrote a book called How to Study the Bible for Yourself. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=916962&netp_id=437714&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers

In it, he explains seven ways that Scripture memory can help you. Let’s dialogue about three today.

1. It will give you victory over sin. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word… Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9 and 11) I believe this is true for all of us, even if we are not young men. God is willing to help us choose obedience but we need to understand what is God’s path for each of us. Scripture memory is one way of discerning God’s path. How have you lived this out?

2. It helps you overcome worry. Take a moment to read all of Psalm 139 . Notice that after affirming God’s watch care over us in verses 1-16, the writer moves on to praise God’s thoughts and then mention those who do evil. If each one of us takes time daily to affirm God’s care for us, to ask to know more of God, and to acknowledge that evil is real and affects us, I believe we would have much less about which to worry. How do we know how God is caring for us? Through memorized scripture! How do we know more of God? One way is through memorized scripture! How do we know the truth about the evil around us? Through memorized scripture. Just like the writer of the psalm, after we affirm the truth about God, then we can ask God to know our anxious thoughts. We overcome worry by following God’s leading in the way everlasting. Have you found this to be true in your life?

3. It will give you a confidence in sharing your faith. “…do worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11) This promise is given in the context of defending your faith if arrested. But I believe the broader principle is “Saturate your mind with God’s words and the Holy Spirit will prompt you how to talk in each situation including sharing your faith.” Your thoughts?

NEXT TIME: Four more ways! It speeds up the ---- It helps you discover ------ It facilitates----- and it outfits----- Check in soon!

Learning through Hearing

Learning through Hearing

Did you know that many people learn in different ways? Some of us mainly take in life through our eyes—if I don’t see it I don’t know it. Some through touch, some instinct and some through hearing. Many of us learn through multiple learning styles.

If you learn best through hearing, then I suggest you work on scripture memory with your mp3 player (CDs? Tapes? 8 tracks? RECORDS?!?!?!).

You could record your own voice or someone you love…

You could purchase an mp3 download of just Philippians from somewhere like
http://www.listenersbible.com/products/index.php?main_page=product_custom_info&cPath=19&products_id=92 then click on “Philippians”

You could purchase MP3s of the whole New Testament from somewhere like
http://spokentestament.com/

You could purchase CDs of the New Testament from a local store like “Sacred Books and Gifts” in Fairfield or “Kingdom Life” in Milford. Online book sellers have them as well.

This idea of learning from hearing is in the Bible too!

Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

I am so glad you are taking steps to hear the word of Christ. As you listen, engage your heart and your mind. New research for musicians memorizing music and actors learning lines suggest that memorizing begins with the learner actively participating in the learning experience. Don’t approach the material solely through rote skills, but seek to discover the rhythm and inner logic of the passage at hand. Ask yourself questions to uncover how your mind and heart will hold on to the details. Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you the specific nuances that affect your life. Try to explain Paul’s point to someone else. Participate!

Don’t forget Active Listening…
· Focus your attention to some specific detail (verbs affecting me)
· Listen for that detail while the recording plays
· Respond to the discoveries that surface

How do you learn? What resources do you use from which others might benefit? Write us at the blog!

Next time: Seven things that Scripture Memory can do for you…

HOW to memorize scripture

Be encouraged! Whether you are memorizing a verse, a chapter, or the entire book—it is worth the effort! We do not earn God’s grace by memorizing scripture, but we do allow God more complete control if we humbly ask the Holy Spirit to guide us while we are memorizing.

Last time we reviewed some of the many reasons WHY to memorize scripture. Today, let’s dialogue about HOW to memorize scripture. Please write back to the blog with what works for you!

Stephen Simpson suggests:

IDEA ONE: SCHEDULE A TIME You schedule a time to eat, or brush your teeth don’t you? Why not schedule a time and place for scripture memorization?

IDEA TWO: 3 BY 5 CARDS Write down a passage on a card and then take them with you everywhere.
When you have a moment, pull out the deck of cards and review the top one. The cards can be sorted, stacked, dated or shuffled in any way that helps you review. A credit card folder from the dollar store can hold the cards. These cards can go on your car dash, by your morning coffee or taped to the TV!

IDEA THREE: OUT LOUD! Say it out loud in a clear voice as if you were talking to a group of people. Using more than your thoughts helps our brains retain more easily. Walking works for some people too!

IDEA FOUR: EMPHASIZE A WORD Read the portion you are memorizing several times, emphasizing a different word each time to help you link the sequence and word selection. Why did the Holy Spirit have Paul use that word at that time? Scripture comprehension is the sister of Scripture memorization!

IDEA FIVE: PLAY A ROLE Imagine yourself as the speaker, or the original reader, or a teacher expounding the text, or a person sitting listening to Paul himself or… Be creative with your memorization. Often our minds learn best if we relate the verse to something which can be seen or heard or imagined. Exaggeration, humor, motion, or color can fix the Biblical idea into your mind.


NEXT TIME: Using recordings to help you memorize…


Post Script:
Looking for some more suggestions? As with all books and websites, be discerning and ask the Holy Spirit what portion should influence you…

http://www.billygraham.org/LIC_Memorize.asp

http://www.memoryverses.org/

http://www.pursuinglife.com/biblememory.php

Welcome to Memorizing Philippians

Welcome!

It is good to memorize Scripture. This blog is a temporary blog (March though May 2009) to help us at Trinity Baptist Church in Fairfield, CT memorize the book of Philippians.

Two weeks ago I mentioned some reasons to memorize scripture from John Piper:

Memorizing the Bible helps us...

· Be More like Jesus “we all behold the glory of the Lord are being transformed into that same image” (2 Cor 3:18) Bible memorization makes our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer

· Triumph over Sin “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. . . . I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9, 11). As sin lures the body into sinful action, we call to mind a Christ-revealing word of Scripture and slay the temptation with the superior worth and beauty of Christ over what sin offers.

· Comfort and Counsel for People You Love “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) The times when people need you to give them comfort and counsel do not always coincide with the times you have your Bible handy.

He sums it up by saying "When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s word, timely blessings flow from the mouth."

What do you think? Why do you memorize scripture? I look forward to your comments.

Clif Davis