Scripture Memorization - Part 1

Posted by Brance on March 18th, 2008 filed in Colossians

Before we begin our study through the book of Colossians, we’re going to discuss Scripture memorization. I’m challenging each one of you to memorize Chapter 3 of Colossians as we work our way through the letter.

Before we just take off memorizing though, I want to talk about why Scripture memorization is important. Here’s the slideshow from the lesson as we went through it Sunday morning. Just click anywhere on the image to advance to the next slide.

Here’s the text of the lesson as taken from my personal notes.

Why memorize Scripture?

To better understand the value of Scripture memorization, we need to understand the role of Scripture in our spiritual lives.

What is the relationship between Scripture and our spiritual lives?

Our very existences (spiritually) is dependent upon the Word of God.

Paul tells us in Romans 10.17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ

Jesus tells us that the sustenance (that which sustains us) of our spiritual lives is the Scripture.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4.4)

The words of God are found in only one place: the Bible.

The Apostle Peter goes on to tell us that one of our responsibilities as Christians is to

…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3.18)

Earlier in that same letter Peter tells us that we should 

…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge… (2 Peter 1.5)

So how are we to grow spiritually? To grow in our knowledge of Jesus? Spiritual growth is called sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus, and more and more different from the world.

Who wants to be more like Jesus and less like the world? Anybody rather be more like the world and less like Jesus?

If we become more like Jesus and less like the world, this means we’re overcoming sin in our lives. We’re conquering bad habits and sinful desires. We losing our pride, our lust, our unjust anger, our selfishness, our gluttony, whatever it is that makes us like the world (sinful) and less like Jesus.

Who wants that to happen in their life?

So how, practically, do we do that? Every one of us has tried, and failed, to overcome some sin or habit in our life and gotten discouraged by that failure, thinking we’re just not a good Christian, we’re not good enough for Jesus to use.

Jesus says that we are sanctified by Scripture. In John 17 Jesus is praying for his disciples, and for us (v20), and he prays that they would be in the world, but not of the world. And then he asks His Father to sanctify them (us).

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17.17)

So we are sanctified by the Word of God. We are made holy, set apart for for service to God, separated from the world, by the truth of Scripture.

How does (can) this happen?

Scripture must enter us through our MIND, our understanding (knowledge), in order to change our hearts. Understanding, and having knowledge of, Scripture is greatly increased by memorization and meditation. The two are not the same, but it is almost impossible to memorize a passage and not deepen your understanding of the verses memorized. And once memorized, that scripture is then available for reflection and meditation at any time: while driving, walking, running, washing dishes, mowing the grass, etc. It can find its way out of you in conversations with friends.

Having Scripture memorized will sanctify you by causing you to hate sin and determine to fight it more vigorously. That first passage we read where Jesus said we lived by the Word of God, he was saying that to the devil in a time of temptation. We’re told in Psalm 119.9,11

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.

And the Psalmist goes on for 176 verses, the longest chapter in the Bible, and almost every verse mentions Scripture. He speaks of meditating on scripture, loving scripture, delighting in scripture, trusting in scripture, etc.

Furthermore, the Word sanctifies us by transforming our worldview from secular to heavenly.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12.2)

Our minds are renewed as we fill ourselves with Scripture. Jesus said the Word is truth. As we fill ourselves with the truth, we will more easily recognize the lie. The Federal Reserve trains people to recognize counterfeit money by having them handle the real thing. Once they become familiar enough with the real thing, a fake is very obvious to them.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4.8)

What is more true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise than God’s Word? Nothing on this earth!

God can also use our memorization of Scripture for the sanctification of others in our body.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom… (Colossians 3.16)

As you memorize Scripture and meditate on it, the Word will begin to “dwell in you richly” and you will be useful to God for the “teaching and admonishing” of other Christians. This particularly applies to those with whom you have accountability. You have agreed to give each other permission to admonish one another for your continued spiritual growth.

And as we saw earlier in Romans (10.17)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ

Our memorizing Scripture can be very useful when sharing the gospel with unsaved persons. Peter tells us that we should always be ready with an answer.

…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. (I Peter 3.15)

What better way to be prepared than to have the very words of God committed to memory. Especially in the context of witnessing.

…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 3.15)

Knowing the words of Scripture, both the stories of Jesus’ life from the gospels, and the theology of salvation from Paul’s letters, and being able to recall those words when sharing that message with others, will make you a much more effective evangelist and missionary.

The benefits of Scripture memory are plentiful. Dr. Andrew Davis put it this way. (Much of what we’re discussing this week and next, comes from Dr. Davis)

…comfort during trials and bereavement, power and wisdom for counseling, the development of heavenly-mindedness, the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, conviction over indwelling sin, fruitful passage of time while waiting for delayed plane flights, etc. Suffice it to say that this is well worth our time.

But memorizing Scripture isn’t easy. In fact, it’s hard work!

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (I Timothy 4.7-8)

“train yourself” comes from the greek word gumnazo from which we get our words ‘gymnasium’ and ‘gymnastics’. The idea is that we have to work (exercise) at becoming godly. We have to force ourselves to do it, even when we don’t want to (I Corinthians 9.24-27). And there is much profit in it. More so than exercising your body. If you are willing to exercise your body and unwilling to exercise spiritually, you’ve got your priorities wrong (II Timothy 2.3-7).

What is important to you in life? What is your goal? You can make a list, but I would suggest that an honest way to answer that question would be to make a list of the activities you dedicate your time to. We pursue our priorities. If you aren’t spending any time reading, studying, memorizing Scripture, praying, etc., then you have NOT made it a priority to become Christ like. No matter what you might say with your mouth, actions speak louder than words.

Advantages of memorizing large passages (as opposed to individual verses)

Remember the word of Jesus.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4.4)

And Paul adds.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (II Timothy 3.16)

When we only memorize individual verses, we are skipping over other verses that we tend to regard as less important. And there is the danger of taking a verse out of context. Scripture tends to flow logically from one verse to the next, and that thought progression is often missed when individual verses are memorized.

The week after Easter we’ll continue our study of Scripture memorization by discussing learning styles and some memory techniques that should aid you in the task of memorizing Colossians 3.

See ya then!