MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE: AN ESSENTIAL DISCIPLINE

Transcription

1 MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE: AN ESSENTIAL DISCIPLINE Goal: by the end of our time together this morning, I pray that each one of you will be so convinced about the importance of Scripture memory for your own walk with God that you will begin doing it today and successfully make it an essential part of your life until Jesus comes. I. Why Memorize Scripture? A. Tim wants us to: 1. During our two years in the Gospel of John, Tim assigned us verses to memorize. 2. He had Orrin Kelso print them on little cards and give them to us each week. 3. He had me include a reminder of the current memory verse in every you get from me. 4. If you had memorized each verse as he assigned it, you would now have 38 verses from the Gospel of John written on your heart. 5. During our Samuel study, he has assigned a new verse for us to learn: 2 Ch.16:9a. We will learn this one together today as part of this lesson. B. Scripture memory is the most effective way to put God s word into operation in our lives. God s word is critically important to us as followers of Christ: 1. The Holy Spirit uses it to teach us what is true and how to distinguish truth from error. Jn. 16:13 2 Ti. 3:16 2. Scripture shows us when we err. 2 Ti. 3:16 Mt. 22:29 3. Scripture shows us how to correct our mistakes and do things right. 2 Ti. 3:16 4. Scripture trains us how to live spiritually successful lives. 2 Ti Scripture equips us for the work God wants us to do. 2 Ti. 3:17 6. Scripture teaches us to understand ourselves and avoid self-deception. Heb. 4:12 (cf. Ps. 19:12; Jer. 17:9) 1

2 7. We need help with all of these areas on a daily basis. Scripture memory provides instant access to the principles of God s word at the moment we need them. 8. Knowing what we will face in this life, God gave us His word to provide everything we need to (2 Pe. 1:3-4): a. Live godly lives b. Escape the distorted perspective on reality that Satan has produced in our modern culture c. All through the promises of His word. So, scripture memory is the most effective way to put God s word into operation in our lives. C. Scripture memory prepares us to face temptation: 1. Ps. 119:9, 11: How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps. 119: 9, 11 NIV 2. When we face temptations, we rarely have time to sit down and read the Bible in order to find a passage that we need. Memorizing Scripture gives the Holy Spirit the ammunition to use in our minds to deal with the temptation when it arises. D. Scripture memory helps us overcome recurrent sin: 1. Memorize a verse that speaks to the sin you face a. E.g., sexual temptation memorize Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. b. E.g., Having arguments memorize Pr. 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2. Then, when faced with a temptation for which you have memorized a strengthening Scripture, the Holy Spirit will bring the verse to mind as you need it. 2

3 E. Scripture memory tunes your heart to God s heart: 1. Your heart and the Scriptures were made for each other. 2. Nothing can tune your heart and feelings to God s as much as the flawless words of God. F. Scripture memory aligns our thoughts with God s thoughts: 1. Isa. 55:9 Our ways and our thoughts are not God s ways and thoughts. 2. But, Isa. 55:10-11 His word will accomplish what He wants. 3. Ro. 12:2 He wants our minds to be renewed and transformed. 4. Ro. 8:29 He wants us to be like Jesus Co. 2:16 He wants us to be able to say, like Paul, that we have the mind of Christ, that we see things like He sees them. G. We are in a spiritual battle every moment of every day of our lives: 1. The battlefield is in our minds. a. It is in our minds that Satan attempts to deceive us; he is a past master at psychological manipulation. b. It is in our minds that he tempts us. c. It is in our minds that he twists our thoughts and whispers terrible ideas to us. d. It is in our minds that he manipulates our emotions. e. It is in our minds that he tries to convince us that we are doomed to failure. 2. In addition to this, we are immersed in a culture that has been carefully crafted over the centuries by Satan to make the way we think as different from the way God thinks as possible. 3. Eph. 6:10-18 lists the spiritual equipment God has given us to use in this battle: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, 3

4 so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of TRUTH buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, 15 and with your feet fitted [sandals] with the readiness that comes from the GOSPEL OF PEACE. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests [spear which is PRAYER]. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph. 6:10-18 NIV a. We have been given only two offensive weapons to use: (1) Prayer (2) Sword of the Spirit b. Scripture memory gives us the most effective use of these weapons: (1) E.g., prayer: (a) Our prayer is most effective when we ask according to God s will. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. Jn. 15:7 NIV (b) Scripture memory helps us know what to ask for because it brings to our minds what God s will is. (2) E.g., sword of the Spirit: (a) Jesus used the sword of the Spirit in His own personal struggles with Satan (e.g., Mt. 4:1-11): Jesus quoted Scripture He had memorized. He didn t just quote it vaguely; He quoted it exactly. During the period of the incarnation, He had to memorize Scripture verses just like we do; He didn t just know the Old Testament automatically just because He had written it. (b) Scripture teaches that God has provided five primary ways to get His word into operation in our lives: - Hear - Read - Study - Memorize - Meditate 4

5 The Navigators call this the Hand illustration. Five primary means to get a grip on the sword of the Spirit: Index finger (Scripture Memorization) the most agile of our fingers Illustration: Parable of the Sower (Mk. 4:1-20) 1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." 9 Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' [a] " 13 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." Mk. 4: Notice v. 15: What is Satan s goal? To take the word out of our hearts. - He works hard to make us forget what it says. - Scripture memory defeats Satan s plan. 5

6 Using all five fingers to grip and use the sword. Typical Evangelical Christian We could cut off three fingers because they only use two: hear and read. (c) Remember: it is the sword of the Spirit it is His sword; He teaches us what it means; He shows us how to use it; He directs its use; He empowers its effects. H. Scripture memory aids our Bible study: 1. We will know more cross-references and can more easily tie different parts of Scripture together. 2. Making these connections gives us a more complete understanding of the teachings of Scripture. I. Scripture memory facilitates biblical meditation: Dicing think and pray through the verse, emphasizing each word e.g., Php. 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Do this with each verse you are memorizing. J. Scripture memory helps us witness more effectively: 1. By knowing the verses that present the plan of salvation, we are equipped for evangelism at any time. 2. Scripture memory allows us to obey the injunction of 1 Pe. 3:15: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Pe. 3:15 NIV 6

7 K. Personal testimony: God has used two primary things in my life spiritually more than anything else (even including a seminary education): 1. A regular devotional time of reading the Word and prayer 2. Scripture memory L. Most important reason for memorizing Scripture: God commands us to impress His words on our hearts and make them part of every aspect of our lives. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Dt. 6:6-9 NIV 1. Of course, just memorizing God s word is not nearly enough. You also have to believe it and put it into practice. 2. But you cannot make His word as central in your life as God wants it to be without memorizing it. II. So, if Scripture is so essential to our lives and memorizing it is such a key to its effective use, WHY WE DON T MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE? Why don t most adult Christians memorize Scripture? A. Is it because: 1. We can t memorize Scripture? a. Everyone in this room has memorized his address and phone number much harder than memorizing Scripture. b. We can remember those things that are important to us, and the more important Scripture is to us, the more likely we will be to memorize it. 2. It is just for kids, and we have outgrown the need? 3. We intend to but just don t get around to it? 4. It is a tedious, mechanical, boring activity? 7

8 5. We fear that it will be a point of spiritual pride? a. If you do memorize Scripture, Satan will certainly want to twist it into a pride issue b. Not a justifiable reason not to memorize c. Dawson Trotman said, If spiritual pride is a problem, make the first ten verses you memorize be verses on humility. B. It may be partly because: 1. We have failed to understand the importance of Scripture memory. 2. We tried it, expecting it to be easy, and failed, so we quit. C. THE REAL REASON THAT YOU DO NOT MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE: 1. It is because Satan is doing everything he can to prevent you from doing it (remember the Parable of the Sower). He is using every deception against you because he knows how important it is to your walk. 2. If you choose not to memorize Scripture, you are choosing to cooperate with Satan s plan for you and rebelling against God s clear command. III. APPLICATION: Principles for effective Scripture memory: (This is not the only method to memorize Scripture, but it is the method I use, and I can testify that it works.) A. Ask God to help you memorize Scripture. 1. God promises to give us anything we ask according to His will. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 Jn. 5:14-15 NIV 2. God has commanded us to write His word on our hearts, so we can be confident He will help us memorize Scripture. (This doesn t mean He will make it easy!) B. Make it your commitment to memorize the Scripture really commit to it, don t just try it out to see how hard it is. It will be difficult, and there will be spiritual opposition. C. Set a goal to memorize at least one verse a week. 8

9 1. Don t set your goal too high at first or you may become discouraged. 2. Set it at a level that you can maintain. D. Memorize individual verses or very short passages (1-2 verses) rather than whole paragraphs or chapters. 1. These verses are to be ammunition for the Holy Spirit to use in the spiritual battle in your mind. 2. They are guided missiles targeting specific issues. E. Memorize Scripture word perfectly 1. When you recall a verse in the face of a temptation or a problem, you want to know that this is exactly what the Bible says, not your best guess as to what you think it says. 2. If you are uncertain, Satan will jump right on that opportunity remember what he said to Eve in the Garden of Eden: Did God really say...? Ge. 3:1 F. Assign a topic to each passage you memorize: 1. Describes what the verse is about or why you memorized it 2. Targets the verse 3. Helps organize the verses in our minds 4. Use as few words as possible like a newspaper headline. G. Write them on cards: 1. Use business card-sized cards a. Easier to carry than 5x7 index cards b. Many useful accessories in office supply stores: (1) Packets to carry them in (2) Boxes to keep them in (3) Pre-perforated paper you can use with your computer to print them 9

10 2. How to write them: a. Side One: (1) Top: Scripture reference (2) Middle center: Topic (3) Bottom left corner date started to memorize (4) Bottom right corner date 42 days, 6 weeks later b. Flip card top to bottom c. Side Two: (1) The text of the verse, nothing else (2) Try to fit in on the card a phrase on each line you will want to learn it and review it a phrase at a time. H. Carry them with you at all times: 1. I use a business card packet with two sides a. One side for new verses I am in the process of memorizing b. Other side for back review verses 2. Get in the habit of pulling them out and working on them whenever you have a spare moment. This is Scripture memory for busy people. I. Store completed verses in a small box store them in biblical order. J. Memorize with reference fore n aft ; i.e., memorize the verse with the reference before and after the text of the verse. 1. The connection between reference and verse is the first place your memory will fail. 2. Cement the reference to the text of the verse. When learning and reviewing a verse, don t pause between the reference and the verse on either end. Say it as though the reference were part of the verse itself. 3. Say the topic, then the reference, then the verse, then the reference again. E.g., God looking for committed people 2 Chronicles 16:9a For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a 4. Do this every time you review it or say it or even think about it. 10

11 K. Memorize a phrase at a time: 1. First memorize the topic. 2. Next, add the reference and practice the two together it until you can say it word perfectly, easily, and without hesitation. 3. Then add the first phrase of the verse itself and practice everything until you can say it all word perfectly, easily, and without hesitation. 4. Saying it out loud or whispering it to yourself makes it easier to remember. 5. Then add the second phrase and practice everything again until it is easy. 6. Memorize it a phrase at a time accumulating phrases until you can say the whole package: topic, reference, verse, and reference without stumbling or hesitating. 7. Review it all again in a couple of hours. Don t be surprised if you have forgotten part of it. L. Write it When you can say the verse, then try to write the whole thing out from memory. 1. Writing is one of the most effective ways to help you remember it. 2. Work on it until you can write it out without errors. 3. It may take several sessions over the next couple of days to accomplish this. M. Review your new verses at least twice a day (more often is better) for the next 6 weeks. 1. Six weeks, 42 days, of review will give you time to pray through the verse, meditate on it, and imprint it on your soul. 2. One time, look at the reference on the card and try to recall the topic from memory; then say topic, reference, verse, and reference from memory. 3. The next time, look at the text of the verse and try to recall the topic and the reference from memory; then say topic, reference, verse, and reference from memory. 4. Don t be surprised if you have to relearn part of the verse. 11

12 5. Practice it until you can again say topic reference verse reference without error or hesitation. N. Daily review of new verses: 1. Three keys to Scripture memory: review, review, review. 2. Review them by yourself. 3. Review them with someone else (e.g., spouse or friend): a. Very helpful b. Discuss what the verses mean to you c. Especially effective if you are both memorizing verses together 4. Review your verses the last thing before going to sleep so your mind can work on them while you rest. Then, check your verse when you first wake up. Keep your verses beside the bed so you can do this. O. Back review of previously memorized verses: 1. Periodic review of your verses is essential to permanently retain them. You will forget what you don t review. 2. Work through the verses in your verse box in biblical order. 3. Review a few at a time to refresh them. Use the same techniques to review that you used to memorize. 4. Write them out from memory and check them against your cards. 5. Don t work on back review verses longer than one week; determine to sharpen them up within that time, then go to the next group. P. Share your verses: 1. Sharing your verses is one of the most effective ways to cement them in your mind; it is much easier to recall a verse you have shared and discussed with someone else. 2. Can even use review as a way witness and to encourage other believers ( Can you help me review these verses? ). 12

13 Q. Redeem the time: Eph. 5:16 says, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (KJV says, redeeming the time. ) Use spare moments that would otherwise be wasted; e.g., standing in line, waiting for the doctor, sitting on the toilet (TMI). Train yourself so that any time you have a moment to yourself, you pull out your verses and review one or more. R. Keep two records of the verses you have memorized: 1. Chronological list this will be a running list by date of when you began to memorize each verse; add each new verse on the list as you memorize it. 2. Biblical order list: a. This is a record of your verses arranged in biblical order. b. Easiest way: set aside a Bible to use and darken the verse number of each new verse when you write up the card (do not use a Bible you use for devotional reading because Satan has a trick of causing you to mentally skip over verses you have memorized when you are reading that Bible). 3. Why two records? a. Satan will cause you to lose the verses you are carrying with you, or wash them in the washing machine, or in some way destroy them. I promise you that this will happen, so be prepared. b. From these two records, you can reconstruct the verse cards you have lost. S. Future Memory List: Keep a list of verses you want to memorize. 1. Memorize verses that remind you of lessons God has taught you. This is one of the primary reasons to memorize a particular verse. 2. Pick verses to memorize that speak to you from your own Bible reading and study, from sermons or lessons you hear, or from verses a friend has shared. 3. If you keep a spiritual journal, go back through it to find verses that encapsulate things that God has taught you in the past. 4. Pick verses you can use in ministry; e.g., verses you can use when presenting the Gospel to an unbeliever such as the Roman road verses. 13

14 5. Can use a Scripture memory program like the Navigators Topical Memory System (see T. What translation to memorize from? 1. I recommend that you memorize from a single translation of the Bible. Except for a few special passages from other versions, try to stick to the same version most of the time. Switching back and forth between versions can be confusing and make memorizing more difficult. 2. Select a translation, not a paraphrase paraphrases have a lot of human ideas mixed in with the biblical teachings, and their language full of idioms can become out of date. 3. Pick the translation with which you are most familiar and make that the primary version of the verses you memorize. 4. Pick a modern English translation in order to avoid awkward phrasing that can be difficult to remember. 5. Some versions are easier to memorize than others because their phrasing flows more smoothly. NIV and CSB are easier to memorize. NASB is a little more difficult as its phrasing tries to stay close to the original languages. ESV uses more modern English and is smoother than NASB for memorization, yet it is a more literal (formally equivalent) translation. NKJV is not quite as modern English as others because it is still tied to the phrasing and terminology of the old KJV. U. WARNING: Do not count how many verses you have memorized; if you do, Satan will use it against you. This would be like David s sin of counting the men in his army (2 Sa. 24) when God had to punish him for His lack of trust. ONE FINAL QUESTION: If God wants you to memorize His word and Satan does not want you to do it. Who are you going to choose to please? 14