| Author | Message | ||
| Doug222 Registered user Username: Doug222 Post Number: 543 Registered: 3-2001 |
Not sure if this has been discussed previously, but has anyone here engaged in the spiritual discipline of memorizing scripture, especially long passages (i.e. chapters or even books)? Several weeks ago, a member of the small group to which I am a member suggested we memorize the book of Ephesians. All of the other members scoffed at him and resisted, me included. I did decide to at least give it a try. Well, I am here to tell you that it produces results like you would not believe. I'm interested in hearing others experiences, and the benefits they have derived. Doug | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5882 Registered: 12-2003  |
Doug, I have also been memorizing Scripture. It was actually two years ago this June when I went with a young woman I was mentoring to a counselling session. She is recovering from a very severe eating disorder, and her counselor (a Christ-follower with a national reputation for eating disorder treatment) wanted to meet her "spiritual mentor". Well, that session was probably more for me than her! As I sat there I was amazed to hear him say, "How's your Scripture memorizing coming? Truth is not in your head; it's in the Bible. I want you to start by memorizing Romans 8, 9, and 10, and then do Psalm...[I can't remember]. If you're not ready to memorize Scripture, you're not ready to get well." Well, that did it. I decided that if this young woman should memorize Scripture, I also should. I'd been resisting it for some time, also--Elizabeth Inrig consistently asks us in women's Bible study to memorize passages, but I wouldn't. It was really hard at first. I actually would "fog out" when I'd try to memorize, and I felt as if I would never be able to do it. I had to pray every day that God would help me to remember, and that He would teach me truth as I did it. I memorized Romans 8 first. Then I memorized Ephesians followed by Colossians. I just finished Philippians and am beginning 1 Timothy. I cannot begin to describe the effect of memorizing long passages of Scripture. In order to remember the words, I have to examine the grammar (especially prepositions), the verbs, the nouns, and pay detailed attention to every word. I have learned things I had no idea were actually there, even though I've read the passages many times. It's hard to explain the results, but the best I can do is to say, it seems that I'm learning what is REAL. Yes, Doug--memorizing Scripture has been the most rewarding, rich, deep, and broad Bible study I've ever done. I always go into my "memory time" by asking God to teach me the truth. Things (hard to explain, even!) are more clear, God is more sovereign, Jesus is more omnipotent, the Holy Spirit is more "God"—reality is just so much BIGGER than I had ever imagined. I feel more grounded, more like there's solid reason to trust Jesus, the Bible is making more and more sense and seems more and more consistent the more I memorize. There's mystery here—it is a miracle of God that He has preserved His word and still speaks NOW, individually, through it. One of the hardest things to explain is also one of the most impacting: God's ways are not quantifiable. We cannot develop "systems" to explain how He works. He works and functions in ways that seem paradoxical, but I believe the seeming opposites actually make sense as an unbroken whole in eternity. I find that the mystery of God is less frustrating and more reassuring than ever before. Truly the Bible is God's LIVING word. It's author teaches us as we meditate on it. Reality is not accessible apart from knowing Jesus and becoming immersed in His word. (And both those two need to be present: knowing Jesus first, and becoming immersed in His word.) Colleen | ||
| Toria Registered user Username: Toria Post Number: 131 Registered: 2-2006  |
I have memorized Bible verses that touched my heart, but never even considered memorizing whole books of scripture. Seems like a very large thing to attempt. But you guys have got me curious... Now I know I will not be content until I at least give it a try. I will follow you Colleen, and start with Romans... Blessings Toria | ||
| Doug222 Registered user Username: Doug222 Post Number: 544 Registered: 3-2001 |
I was using a hotel computer when I posted earlier and someone wanted to use the computer so I had to cut my post short, but Colleen, I would say that my experience mirrors yours (not the spiritual mentoring part of course)... but the resistance to the initial resistance to the idea and then the subsequent difficulty getting started. I would say it is the signle most beneficial thing that I have done to enhance my spiritual walk. When the person suggested it, it sounded somewhat legalistic to me, but once I started, I realized some definite hidden benefits. For example, I find that I have a lot of difficulty memorizing unless I understand a passage. As I understand it better, the memorization begins to flow (my method of memorization is to link ideas). I find that during my idle time (i,e, standing in line, driving in traffic, working in th yard etc.) now gets put to better use as I reflect on scripture. I can sense the Spirit working with me already as He brings scripture to my rememberance at key times (i.e. when an attractive woman walks by and I am tempted to look longer than I should, suddenly, the passage "do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves as those who has been brought from death to life, and the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness" will suddenly come to mind. I am definitely more aware of the Spirit's leadings. I think it is particularly useful for those of us who are Formers. We have been so used to the "prooftexting method," that we miss the benefit of memorizing passages in context. While I have been reading that way for a several years now, there is nothing like hiding the context in my heart. I started with Ephesians and have done chapters 1 and 2, then I shifted over to Romans. My plan is to memorize 6 - 8 before I possibly go back and memorize the rest of Ephesians. Right now, I have finished 6 and am in the middle of memorizing 7. Toria, my suggestion is to not start with a task that is so large that you will get discouraged. I'd recommend starting with a particular portion of Romans, or a smaller book like Galatians or Ephesians. It does get monotenous (sp) after a while, but the dividends are out of this world...literally. Doug (Message edited by Doug222 on May 23, 2007) | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 268 Registered: 11-2005 |
Like you Toria, prior to a couple of years ago, I didn't know anyone who had memorized an entire book of the Bible. The very thought of it seemed overwhelming. I've memorized passages and chapters before, but never even thought to try and memorize an entire book! The first person I knew who memorized a book of the Bible, did Philippians. He was going through a hard time in his life, and he said dedicating time to memorizing that book, and commiting to putting it in his heart and mind, gave him the encouragement he needed. God comforted him and spoke to him through His Word. Since, I've met several (3) others who have also memorized books of the Bible. Actually more amazing than the actual feat of it, is hearing someone who's memorized a book recite it. Awhile back, I had the priviledge of hearing Colleen recite the book of Colossians at FAF Bible study. I wish I could describe what a moving experience that was for me. It's the first time that God's Word became "living" to me. Up until that point, it was purely an academic type of respect for the Bible. But as I heard her speak it with such emotion and conviction (especially chapter 2:9-17), it was as if I was hearing a letter written personally to me from God. Although I had read those verses many times before, there was something very different about hearing someone not just read it, but say it. It overwhelms me just remembering how impacting it was. Since that experience, I've been inspired to attempt memorizing scripture in longer passages. I've been working on Ephesians for several months now (and I'm not that far!), but I'm still trying... I need to work on my consistency. What I've noticed is the first verses were the hardest. It's almost like starting an exercise routine when you haven't ever exercised. But as you continue, you start to develop memorization "techniques" that work for you, and realize what doesn't work for you. For instance, I don't necessarily divide scripture "chunks" up by verses, but by prepositional phrases. It's just easier for me to remember in smaller divisions like that. And, I realized I can't memorize sitting down, or rather I can, but it takes much, much longer. My mind tends to wander too much. So, I find pacing works really well for me. Overall, it's been one of the best Bible study "methods" I've ever done. For me personally, memorizing continues to make the Scriptures "alive" for me (like that first night I experienced it hearing Colossians). Everything is just deeper and fresher. It's like God speaking directly to me! Grace | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 269 Registered: 11-2005 |
Forgot to mention, back in Academy, we had to memorize a lot of scripture (usually about 80-100 verses a semester, all proof-texts by the way!). My senior year, we had several musical people in my class, so we started putting scripture to song (much like Steve Green's Hide 'em In Your Heart). It worked really well, because it uses both sides of your brain. It's harder to make songs for chapters, although we did it! It gets almost humorous trying to fit so many words into a "measure". Some parts of the song would have words dragging out really long, and others would be rushed quickly to fit it all in before the next bar. And the really difficult verses to memorize, we would turn them into "bridges" to break the song up. And of course, none of it rhymed, and we had to memorize in the KJV. Hey, this wasn't the most musical stuff--but it worked! Too bad much of what we memorized was Daniel, Revelation, and Leviticus!! It doesn't make for the best praise music either  . Ha! As I'm typing this, I'm "singing" to myself 1 Peter 5:8 (one of the many verses warning us to be careful...), "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." What a happy song that was! Grace (Message edited by snowboardingmom on May 23, 2007) | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5886 Registered: 12-2003 |
Ha! You've made me grin, Grace! Interesting...your memorization techniques are so much like mine. I hang on the prepositional phrases, and I DEFINITELY pace while memorizing! I concentrate much better... I'm so glad to hear your working on Ephesians. It was a real paradigm-expander for me! Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 775 Registered: 9-2006  |
Say could I borrow a little memory over here, I promise to bring it back when I'm done! When I was first saved I began to "Hide it in my heart" so to speak, it works. River | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3656 Registered: 3-2004  |
I have been wanting to study the Bible and memorize it and do all kinds of things. How do you do it when you have so much to do? Colleen? River? Doug? Grace? Diana | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 819 Registered: 10-2002  |
Ha! You know, it was funny. I think it was last night that I remembered memorizing Scripture in SDA elementary school. Guess what we memorized? The Ten Commmandments, of course! I memorized them before I ever memorized "God is love"... maybe even before I heard it. I shall have to memorize some better things. | ||
| Toria Registered user Username: Toria Post Number: 132 Registered: 2-2006 |
Doug, thank you for your suggestions. I have decided to start with Ephesians, as It is a smaller book and I also have chapter 6 half memorized already from reading/putting on the 'armour' every morning. Ramone, you brought back a memory. I went to Catholic schools and was taught by nuns. We also had to memorize the Ten Commandments. Blessings to all Toria | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 776 Registered: 9-2006 |
Dianna, I am going to be brave here and risk the wrath of my fellow Bible students and say that it is not necessary to memorize to the letter. I will instead put it this way, do you find time to eat? I thought so. If we didn’t eat we would starve and when it came time for a burst of energy it wouldn’t be there. When we read the Bible we are pulling up to Gods table, we manage to eat food three times a day. A person might look at reading a portion of the word as eating a good meal. Just as taking of nourishment is important to our bodies, the nourishment of Gods word is just as important to our spirit. I would say the main thing is to read it prayerfully and with love and a spirit of worship. Memorization if the letter does not necessarily mean that that person has taken the word into the heart. (head covered) I will give a poor example here: years ago I had to pass a test of copying morse code at 20 wpm in order to get my fcc license. I used flash cards to memorize the letter and I thought “Boy, I will ace that test” but when I got to the fcc office and put the head phones on and they began sending I could not copy a word of it and I failed the test miserably. So I had to start over and listen to hours of code without any visual aid. Finally the day came to take the test over and I went back to the fcc office and put on my head phones and the official began sending and I “heard” the morse code and I began writing it down because, although it was a fast series of dit’s and da’s it was as though I was hearing him speak in English. Now I will lay this over against Adventist proof texting, they are using “flash” cards. Well I’ve stuck my neck out this far so… God speaks in the language of the heart and when we really begin to “hear” it, Oh what a lovely sound. Jesus spoke but some of the masters at scripture did not “hear” him. The time of testing had come and they failed miserably. Now I have blabbered all that to say this, more importantly than rote memorization of scripture is to “hear” what you do read and taking the time to do that. Reading of the word incorporated into a time of meditation, prayer and worship can do a lot feed ones soul even for a few minutes. So pull up to the table, Jesus has bread and fish upon the fire, Look, there he is standing on the shore, don’t wait for them to drop the anchor, jump out of the boat and run to hear what he has to say to you today. Every body has a “method”, me, I wake up every morning within 20 minutes of 4 AM and I immediately begin to thinking about the things of God and he begins to bring scripture to mind, I don’t have an alarm clock. Yesterday I woke up at a quarter to four with scripture running through my mind over and over ”having a form of Godliness but denying the power there of” and I couldn’t wait to get my pants on, before I opened my eyes the Lord had fish upon the fire. My favorite scripture to commit to rote memory is “Jesus wept”! That’s a little humor for those who ain’t got any. I think, for some of my Adventist friends especially, a smile would crack their face and their head would fall off. Seriously though, I fear that for some of my friends, the “flash card” method of proof texting will cause failure on a grand scale. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:30 I and my Father are one. They (Jews) were gonna rock him out of there for that one because they read the scripture but did no “hear” it. You gotta “hear” him. So Dianna, that’s my “method”. I just made a good start at scripture memorization, John 10:27, hopefully I can remember it the rest of the day, but if not John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. If you are left with little time due too circumstances of life, feeding on his word daily will, I believe, stand you in good stead. Peace Dianna and God’s richest blessings on your life. From my heart to your heart just for today. I’m full, burp, got to take my shower. River | ||
| Cw Registered user Username: Cw Post Number: 133 Registered: 4-2006  |
When I hit 60 and retired from a career in law enforcement 2+ years ago I made up my mind to start a scripture memorization program. Much of it was to occupy my mind with positive input rather than the worries of my daughter and her SDA boyfriend-which you all had a hand in successfully praying her out of. Anyway, my first goal was to memorize at least one passage from each of the 66 books. Even the exercise of finding the one to memorize is a blessing. I accomplished that faster than I thought this 60 year old brain could and now I always have a passage (often entire chapters such as my current effort Romans chapter 12) that is in current work. It is very important to go through all of them at least once or twice a month so as not to forget them. I'm sure if I tried to get through all of them in one sitting now it would take over an hour. So I'll go through the Old Testament in small clumps one day and the New Testament in another. And this is not because of Me!!! I used to struggle with one small Sunday School verse per week. But when I started this I asked the Lord for help and he has shown Himself faithful to his Word. When I start to doubt God's work in my own life I remind myself of how he has helped me in this. I COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT HIS DEVINE HELP. But He has promised to help us if we are in His will. Memorizing His word is a no brainer-IT IS IN HIS WILL. Great side benifit--instead of counting sheep when you have trouble sleeping, start going through your list of memorized scriptures. I can usually even remember the next day where I had left off when falling asleep. This is the greatest "hobby" I have ever had. Start small and your confidence in this will build as you know that God is blessing your effort. Psalms 1 (only six verses) is a great place to start. CW | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5894 Registered: 12-2003 |
River, you're right--memorizing Scripture isn't a "should". I believe that God impresses us when He wants us to memorize...the most important thing is to read His word with prayer to know His will and truth. There are great blessings from memorizing...but there are also great blessings just from reading prayerfully. Another thing that is amazingly helpful is simply to journal Scripture. Literally write out passages, word for word, in a journal. Copying forces one to pay attention to every word. God speaks to us through His word however we spend our time in it—when we are submitted to Him to learn His will. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3664 Registered: 3-2004 |
My problem, one of them at least, is I want it all and I want it instantly. Like right now!!! Diana | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 584 Registered: 4-2006  |
Oh man, this is good Feel like sitting all day memorising the beautiful Word of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Have a great day! | ||
| Doug222 Registered user Username: Doug222 Post Number: 545 Registered: 3-2001 |
Yes, I would agree with River (and Colleen) that memorizing is not a "should." In fact, that was the way it was presented to us in our group, and thus why we all bristled a bit. I'd also agree that memorizing without ingesting the Word can be fruitless (kind of like merely avoiding certain activities during a particular 24 hour period that shall remain nameless). However, what I have found is that the scripture that I have memorized becomes so alive to me--even scripture that I am very familiar with. Almost everytime I recite it, I get a new nugget out of it--kind of like River said about his early morning experience. Like CW, I have also gone to sleep reciting scripture, although I can't usually remember where I left off. Its funny, but I hit road blocks. I'm at one right now, where I am having difficulty with a certain passage in Romans 7. I am now convinced that it is the Spirit gently pulling on my coat tail and telling me to slow down because there is something here He doesn't want me to miss. Now how cool is that, to have your own personal tutor living inside you? I know He's been there all along, but unfortunately, in my life He has been more like the Maytag Man. In answer to Diana's question, I don't think it is necessary to carve out a lot of time to do this apart from the rest of the things you do. You would be amazed at how many "mindless" activities you engage in everyday. As I said earlier, whether you're doing laundry, working in the yard, driving in your car, standing in line, taking a break from work.... many times your mind is not thoroughly engaged. I read somewhere that we only use about 10% of our brain's capacity. This is a great opportunity to fill your mind (and your heart) with the literal breath of life. So, I would never tell anyone that this is something you "have to do" or even something that you "should do." Memorizing doesn't necessarily make someone more spiritual than others, in the same way that not memorizing doesn't necessarily make someone less spiritual. What I will do, is offer a challenge. Just memorize one chapter. That's all (in fact that was my plan when I started). Don't try to do a whole book; then see if you don't receive a blessing from the experience. If you don't, you haven't lost anything, and I think we'd all agree it was time well spent. But, be prepared. It may be an experience that takes your relationship with God to a new level. Doug | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2005 |
A tutor living inside us--wow, what an awesome way to put it! You're right, it's waaay cool!! Grace | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 546 Registered: 6-2006  |
Hi CW!! Good to see you again! Thanks for this thread everyone. You all have some great ideas. Blessings! Leigh Anne | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 247 Registered: 7-2005  |
What Bible version do you memorize? KJV? NIV? Do you memorize some from one version and some from another version? Just curious. Honestwitness |
