Recently I decided it was time for me to stop being a hypocrite to my children and start being an example. I realized that in the past few years my children have memorized many Bible verses while I had used excuses like, “I’m just too busy.” or “I’m too old”!
Check out Mishael reciting Isaiah 53:1-6
For my first venture, in a very long time, in Bible memorization I decided to take on John chapters 1 and 2. I’ve only been at it for about a week and I’ve already committed the first 18 verses to memory. I’ll be sure to let you know how the progress goes.
Check out Naomi reciting John 14:1-6
The process of learning God’s Word by heart has also taught me a few things that I didn’t realize before.
It clears the mind
Sometimes I have a hard time shutting my mind “off”. Maybe it’s the result of living in the age of information, maybe it’s the result of worrying too much, either way there are things that get stuck in my head, things that I shouldn’t continually dwell on. At those times working on Scripture memory completely clears my mind. It forces everything else out and brings God’s Word in.
It centers the spirit
You probably have those days too, when your emotions are off, you’re grumpy and you don’t want to do the things you know you should do. Sometimes I can’t even pinpoint why I am feeling that way but when I turn to Scripture and start filling my mind with it’s truths everything changes! Joy returns and passion is regained!
It gives a fresh perspective
When I’m tackling a problem that I’m just not sure how to overcome I can become lost in the problem it’s self and lose my perspective. Often a 10 minute break to work on Scripture memory is all I need. I come back renewed with a fresh perspective!
It leads to correct thinking
Thought habits are important, they determine how we are going to think about everything in our life and thus how we will behave. Memorizing Scripture is one of the best thought habits we can promote in our own mind. Not only does it strengthen the mind and make it more agile but it also helps me develop correct thoughts about every area of my life.
Brian Beers
December 4, 2012Caleb,
Thank you for this challenge.
Kristina has our children memorizing half a chapter of Acts each week, with each child taking several verses. Each week at a retirement center in town we hold a church service in which they recite the passage, and I preach from it. They are a great blessing to the residents.
Our pastor has challenged the entire church to memorize 2 Peter. I find it too easy to “forget” because I am busy. I will definitely step up my discipline.
So one benefit is an opportunity to speak the Word of God for others.
Another tip is memorizing a passage rather than isolated verses–a paragraph of five verses makes more sense than 5 separate verses. So it is easier to remember.
It also helps to have someone holding you accountable–especially your young children who won’t give you a pass because they know what it is like to be too busy to do what you’ve promised…
Caleb
December 4, 2012Brian, that’s great that your kids are memorizing from the book of Acts. I definitely enjoy and find it easier to memorize long passages rather than a verse here and there. I just finished memorizing Proverbs 9 in Russian and I am almost done with John chapter 1 in English. Glad you were blessed by this post!