Scripture Memory Club

[heirmiles]

I searched the Club section back to 2007 and was surprised to find that there hasn't been a Club for memorizing Scripture!

I know, when I was a young Christian and heard people talk about memorizing verses from the Bible they really made it sound like a chore. Seriously, not only were you to remember the words (which to me, even in English) was like trying to learn an entirely new language! Words like "Blessing," "justification," "sanctification," "propitiation," and many others, meant not only memorizing the sounds of these strange words but then trying to figure out what they meant. Then actually memorizing them in a context, and to top it all off you had to memorize where it was. Seriously again, unless you're into things like memorizing the value of "pi" to the 20th decimal point, or the receipts from the grocery store, this practice was just "strange".

Now we've all heard about the value of memorization of the Bible, and we have all tried to memorize verses. But a lot of times when we have tried to do so we simply get bogged down into an endless stream of mindless repetition where our mouths are saying the words but our brains are out surfing, or skiing, or having a picnic in a beautiful meadow. Then when we go out in the real world and are facing issues that we have actually memorized scripture about, those precious words from God, simply aren't there in our thoughts.

There are a lot of reasons to memorize scripture, and you have probably already heard of passages like Psalm 19: 7-11 and Proverbs 2: 1-9. Yet actual memorization has been a struggle for you. In fact what I have written above is my own experience in trying to memorize God's Word.

So, How about it, Let's start a Scripture Memorization Club. If you're interested let me know.

My thoughts are that to start we work on memorizing several chapters of the Bible over the next year and half. I'm thinking of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), John 1:1-18, John 3: 1-21, Romans 8:1-39.

I know that that sounds like a lot of memorizing, if my math is correct that's 48 + 34 + 29 = 111 verses for the Sermon on the Mount and 18+21+39 = 78 verses for the other 3 passages, which adds up to 189 verses. Sounds like a lot I know, but at 1 verse every two days they would all be memorized in a week longer than 1 year. At a verse every 3 days, that equals One and a half years.

So what I am asking is a little more than 2 verses a week. Is that too hard? But what about people who join us a little later, that's okay too, 'cause those of us who have already memorized the earlier verses can encourage those who are just starting.

So, as Jesus said, it's important to count the cost before you start, and I hope I have outlined what a little dedication to putting God's Word in your heart will mean.

Please let me know if you would like to join.

 

[Learning To Stand]

Hello, I'd be interested in joining this.
I tried a while back to memorize some scripture, but it sort of just slipped back into the abyss of my mind. Which, I guess is my fault. Either way, I could use the help. C:

 

[heirmiles]

Hi Learning to Stand,

I'm glad you are interested in memorizing Scripture. That's fantastic!

I think it is important to learn our verses from a translation that works best for each one of us. In other words, if you prefer the ESV or KJV or NKJV or NASB or a different translation that's okay. Personally I'll be using the NKJV.

One last thing about 'Housekeeping', there are a lot of different ways to memorize Scripture, the "low tech" way is to keep a notebook (preferably one that can fit in a pocket) which you can write the memory verses for the week in. It doesn't have to be a zillion dollar leather bound journal, because as you use it the pages are going to get pretty tattered and dog-eared over the next year. So an inexpensive pocket note book from a Dollar Store will definitely be sufficient.

Also since you have a computer I found a free Bible Memorization Program that allows the user to type in their own memory verses (I suggest one at a time), that then has a parrot (text to speech software) that works with you to learn the verse.

The Link: The Scripture Memory Sytem for Windows

It is free, and is a very small file to download (about 50 mega-bites).

 

[Learning To Stand]

Whoops, double posted.

 

[Learning To Stand]

I do believe I already have a little notebook swimming around in my stuff somewhere. I'll have to fish it out.

I hope there's an app for that. I'm currently in the middle of moving so, for now, my computer is a little unusable for the moment. So, I'm on my iPad until we have an actual place to hook up the computer again. Lol. But, thank you anyways. I'll book mark it in the mean time.

 

[heirmiles]

Great! I checked out file size of the program and it's actually only 12 MB not 50!

You're moving! I actually used to like moving, but by the time I reached 35 I didn't think I had any moves left. One thing I learned about moving was to make sure I labelled the boxes, otherwise I was always fishing for the stuff I needed when I arrived at my new place. I'll check to see if there is a similar app for apple pads.

 

[heirmiles]

Scripture Typer seems to be what is available at around 5 or 6 dollars for Ipad, everything else is sponsored by LDS. Unfortunately I don't have an Ipad in order to check it out.

 

[heirmiles]

Remember Me Bible Memory is free for Android Tablets.

 

[Learning To Stand]

Yeah I'm moving, ha ha. This is actually the first time- well, it FEELS to me like the first time officially that I've ever moved. Technically, I've lived in the same apartment block in the same city for just about all my life. So, this has really thrown me off a bit, lol. Especially since I'm being moved from fairly large city to reasonably small town. Lol.

I'm somewhat convinced God has put me in this town for a reason though. At least it's familiar, so there's that.

I guess labelling boxes would have helped quite a bit, ha ha.
My family and I just came from home the other day to pack things. Didn't have a marker to label anything except for one box, ha ha!

I took a look around the App Store for something myself. I think I found a free app. Hopefully. It didn't really come with a description. If not, I'll probably just buy the Scripture Typer.

 

[heirmiles]

When we Memorize God's Word it is important to recognize that we are listening to God as well. He is talking to us. His Word is His truth that we might learn of Him and grow in Him. Scripture itself is a wonderful gift. The Bible is God's letter of love to us. It is always important to ask what God is teaching us through His word, and to prayerfully ask Him to speak to us through it. He strengthens, encourages, blesses, and admonishes us to come closer to Him through His words. The Bible is our food and our nourishment. By the work of His Holy Spirit within us His word blesses us so much more than simply saying words out loud. God has a purpose, a work, that He intends to complete in us through the knowledge and understanding of His word. He has said that His Word will never return to him void. Rather it works His own Spirit's fruit within us. By it He breathes life into our hearts, our minds, and our souls.

When we are afflicted, when we are in sorrow, when we are hurting Jesus tells us that He will bless us. He will fill us with His grace, He will forgive and strengthen us by His mercy. When we think we have nothing in our lives by which we hold on during our trials in life, He is there. He is with us declaring that He is at work in our lives, in all our parts, in all our experiences. When Jesus calls us "blessed" when we realize the poverty of our hearts, and the pain and sorrow of loss, He is telling us that He is working to bless us, that He bestows upon us His divine favour and comfort. He is telling us that we are not being controlled by a mere empty fate, or by simple chance, but that He is freeing us even through the pain to cling onto the blessings of His Life. To take hold onto Him as the author and finisher of our faith and our lives. He is our purpose. When Jesus tells us that He blesses the poor in spirit, He is blessing us in our poverty. When we are unable to dwell in the presence of the Lord by our own strength because of the depth of our sin, this is the person that He blesses. This is the person who will find the presence of God in his life. This is the person who gains the knowledge and blessing of the Kingdom of God. The place where God reigns, where God lives, where God dwells, is within that person's heart, mind, and soul. This is the treasure of God's Kingship, the treasure of God's mercy, and the riches of His grace:

Days One and Two:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3

 

[heirmiles]

Hi again, Learning to Stand,

You will probably realize a big difference moving from a large city to a small town. I had lived in Vancouver BC for eight years (college and work and stuff) and then moved to a 'village' (a village is actually exagerating, it was smaller). I got so used to the constant noise in the background all the time, that once I had moved it was so quiet, that in the night, every time I heard the smallest sound I was sure somebody was trying to break in.

So, I thought we might as well get started with memorizing, and posted the above encouragement and verse that we can work on for the next couple of days. If we want to memorize the first couple of verses of Matthew 5 a little later it might be easier once we learn the Beatitudes, if that's okay.

 

[Learning To Stand]

Definitely a difference.
When I lived in the city, I lived on a fairly busy street. Cars went by every five or so minutes, ha ha. I've been used to sleeping with some kind of noise for most of my life. So yeah, I also got used to noise. As far as robbers go, I think I'd probably just blame odd noises on the other people in the house lol. Other wise, I might get paranoid as well, ha ha!

That's fine. I'd love to get into the beatitudes.

 

[heirmiles]

Hi,

Just a reminder that we are working on memorizing Matthew 5:3,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

Part of being poor in spirit is recognizing how much we need Jesus in our lives, that we need his strength and leading in the things that we do. Sometimes we can feel like we are walking through a desert, and our hearts and minds are tired, and we feel empty inside. We may feel like God has left us. But God tells us something different, in those difficult times God is blessing us, He is active. Learning to rely on God's gifts can mean first recognizing that they are there. I'm reminded of the Hymn which says "Count your many blessings, name them one by one." Sometimes when we pray we might feel that nobody is listening, or we get so discouraged that it is really difficult to pray, because we feel so unworthy of God, or we just don't have any words left. This is when we need the blessings of God the most, and He answers our need, and promises that when we are in this state He will bless us. This is when we need to recognize that HE will bless us with the wonderful gifts of His promises.

One of the things I have learned about memorizing, is if I can't memorize the whole verse all at once, that that's okay. Simply memorize the first part of the verse, and work on the second part later. Also, hopefully you will be able to review the verses you are memorizing over the next month or so, and by the end of the month these verses will become a part of you, your thoughts and actions. I am reminded of the verse, Thy word I have hid in my heart so that I might not sin against You, it becomes a part of who we are.

 

[heirmiles]

Hi,

This is our third day on memorizing Matthew 5:3.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

One of the blessings of memorizing scripture is being able to meditate and think about what God is saying. With the first two meditations we have focused a lot on the meaning of what being poor in spirit means. When we think about what is meant be "the kingdom of heaven" there are at least two main aspects involved. The first is the recognition that after this life we will be present with the LORD celebrating in His kingdom. The second is the presence of God's Kingship here on earth. Psalm 24:1 tells us: "The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." In Acts 17 when Paul is preaching to the Athenians that God, "is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being." Even now God is still present with us. In Christ the Comforter has come, the Holy Spirit of God is here with us now, dwelling within our hearts, strengthening us by His love and promise and blessing, the gifts of His presence. In the last verse of Matthew, Jesus tells us, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Hopefully by now you are able to quote Jesus in Matthew 5:3 from memory. But even if its not quite there yet, that is okay. Over the next month you should review the verse daily as you continue to take time for memorizing God's word.

Some time today you will need to prepare to memorize the next verse in Matthew 5. I suggest you write the verse into your notebook and read it through several times, asking God to help you to understand what it means.

Matthew 5:4.
"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."

 

[heirmiles]

Matthew 5:4.

"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."

Today we are going to begin to work on memorizing Matthew 5:4. Sometimes we can forget that when people suffer from grief and loss that God can relate to what it means to suffer from hurt and loss. Before the great flood in Noah's day, in Genesis 6: 5,6 we read, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in his heart."

In Isaiah 53, a chapter in the Old Testament that we should all become familiar with (and memorize in time), tells us of the Suffering Servant, Jesus, that "He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him;" (verse 3). Even the Holy Spirit can be grieved.

So we see that God has been through what we ourselves experience when we suffer loss, we are not alone in our own sorrows and our own hurts. He promises us comfort, that all things shall work together for those who love God, for those who are called by Him according to His will, and His purpose. Sometimes we may find it difficult to see beyond our grief, yet God is there with us, He is here with us, and He knows our hurts, and understands our sorrows. His promise is that He will bless us in our grief, that He will comfort us.

Throughout the day, remind your self with this verse, "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted."

 

[heirmiles]

Welcome to our second day of memorizing Matthew 5:4.

"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."

For people who believe in Jesus there comes times in our lives when we are overwhelmed by our sinfulness. When we feel like we have completely failed God, and failed in what He has purposed for our lives. Sometimes experiences and afflictions happen at the same time, and we fear that God has left us. That He has forgotten us. We ask, "How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?" Psalm 13:1-2.
Yet, when God comforts us we find that we have a new hope, a new direction, and a new purpose.

Isaiah 61:1-3.
'1. "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

'2. "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn.

'3. "To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

Jesus quoted this at the beginning of His public ministry, as He was to face the day of vengeance on the cross for our sin. That we might partake in these blessings. When we mourn we do not do so without the greatest hope, for God has said:

Isaiah 25:8,9.
'8. He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces;
The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth;
For the LORD has spoken.

'9. And it will be said in that day:
"Behold, this is our God;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."

Revelation 21:4.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

 

[heirmiles]

This is our third day memorizing Matthew 5:4.

"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."

Sometimes, when we talk about how God comforts us, how He helps us with great hope for the future, we can forget about how God helps and comforts us now, today, while we live.

When Jesus was talking with his disciples we read in John 14: 16,17. "And I will pray (to) the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He my abide with you forever -- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (NKJV). The Helper, the Comforter, is the Holy Spirit.

In John 14:23 Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." In context "We" and "Our" refers to The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. God dwells within us!

When God dwells within certain things will happen, His dwelling produces fruit, aspects of His presence become evident in our lives.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Galatians 5:22,23.).

Our hope and comfort are not simply concerning the future, but now! With Jesus in our lives, with His Holy Spirit within us, He will give us joy, and love, and peace, and longsuffering (patient contentment), and kindness (compassion, mercy, care, good will), and goodness, and faithfulness, and gentleness, and self-control.

When we talk of fruit, it is something which naturally appears when there is life, its a given that life will produce life. With God dwelling in us these fruit will come and are active in our lives now. Where there is mourning there will be joy, there will be love, there will be peace!

It is time to prepare to memorize Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth." Make sure to write it down in your notebook, and repeat it a few times. In case you're wondering what the word "meek" describes, the best description I have found is "A humble, respectful, gentle strength".

Being able to put into words what a verse means to you is as important as memorizing the verse itself. By writing what we are thinking about a verse we are embedding the verse into our hearts and souls, along with our minds. Did you know that Jesus also said, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you." (John 14:26).

Please feel free to express what God is teaching you in this forum, "that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:4b,c).

 

[brinny]

Wow! Awesome. I have the hardest time memorizing scripture. I appreciate this thread.

 

[heirmiles]

Thank you Brinny for your encouragement

When memorizing Scripture being patient with ourselves is as important as being patient with others. Some verses take longer to memorize than others, particularly because by memorizing Scripture we are being taught by God directly. He is feeding us with "the sincere milk of the word", and it takes time to digest, think over, and become a part of us. "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4).

"Blessed are the Meek,
For they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5.

Meek is one of those Bible words that is not a part of the vocabulary of most people, or if it is, it is misunderstood. It involves humility as well as gentleness, respectfulness, teachableness, and being receptive toward God. In the Old Testament it is the fruit of affliction, pain, deprivation and suffering.

Regarding Israel's 40 years in the wilderness we read in Deuteronomy 8:3,

"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."

Yet in that affliction God continued to provide for His people, Deuteronomy 8:4-6,

"Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his so, so the LORD your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear him."

Being meek also means being teachable and receptive toward God. Psalm 25:8-11.

Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Your name's sake, O LORD,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great."

As well as what it means to dwell with the LORD.

Isaiah57:15,
"For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
'I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

And in the New Testament it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit translated as "gentleness" in Galatians 5: 23. ('22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, '23. gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.)

I am also reminded of Micah 6:8. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

So hopefully the first part of Matthew 5:5 is a little more clear, and we can see why the meek are blessed, interestingly though we might think that the promise concerning the meek would be the "kingdom of heaven", suprisingly though Jesus said, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

 

[brinny]

Amen. I have sorely misunderstood the word "meek" for the longest time. It's a good study.