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Memorizing
Scripture
Why memorize
scripture?
By
Jerry Truex
Memorize one or two verses a week
and watch how your life changes for the better. I dare you. Try it for a
few weeks and tell me it didn't work. Let's look at the Shema for
starts.
The Shema (Heb. for "hear"
or "listen") in Deut 6:4 and the Greatest Commandment in Deut 6:5
is the center of Hebrew Scripture:
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Deut 6:4-5.
6:4 Hear, O Israel: The
Lord is our God, the
Lord alone. 6:5 You shall love the
Lord your God with
all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. (NRSV) |
We are to love God, but what does
that mean? How do we know what that looks like? The verses that follow
provide the answer:
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Deut 6:6-9.
6:6 Keep these words that I am
commanding you today in your heart. 6:7
Recite them to your children and
talk about them when you are at home and when you
are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 6:8
Bind them as a sign on your hand,
fix them as an emblem on your
forehead, 6:9 and write them
on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (NRSV) |
We know how to love God when we
have God's commandments "in our hearts." From a Hebrew perspective, the
heart is the center of one's thought, will, and affection. Notice the
verbs. We must keep,
talk about, bind,
fix, and write the commandments.
This is a poetic way of saying, "Memorize Scripture!" This is an
invitation to "rewire" our neural net, to transform our minds.
Cognitive-behavioral psychologists
know that if you rewire your thinking, then your attitudes, emotions, and
actions will change as well. The renewed mind transforms of
the whole person (Rom 12:2).
There are tens of thousands of
verses. Many are worthy of memorization. But here is my recommendation:
Twelve Scriptures I think every Christian should know by heart:
I encourage you to memorize the
Scripture corresponding to the twelve months outlined above (see
full texts here). Begin with
the Shema today. Of course, you can memorize more. You might want
to consider using the
Topical Memory System by the
Navigators.
Which ever verses or system you choose, try to review your verse(s) once
or twice a day. Try to memorize each verse word perfect.
Finally, consider the words of
Chuck Swindoll:
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I know of no other single practice in the
Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than
memorizing Scripture. No other single exercise pays greater
spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your
witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes
and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and
observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your
faith will be solidified (Growing Strong in the Seasons of
Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994] 61).
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Teaching |
