Quiet Time: What Verses to Memorize

What Verses to Memorize; 
Part I 

One of our small group bible study members asked me what bible verses she should memorize first. I thought that was a great question and went to work the next day on developing a list of important memory verses. During this process I thought it would be a good idea to include lists of verses that other, more experienced Christ followers, found to be helpful.

Here's a list of verses from the Navigators ministry: If you want to memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how, this system is exactly what you need to begin hiding God's word in your heart.

LIVE THE NEW LIFE

• Christ the Center 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 2:20 
• Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1 John 14:21 
• The Word 2 Timothy 3:16 Joshua 1:8 
• Prayer John 15:7 Philippians 4:6,7 
• Fellowship Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:24,25 
• Witnessing Matthew 4:19 Romans 1:16 

PROCLAIM CHRIST

• All Have Sinned Romans 3:23 Isaiah 53:6 
•  Sin's Penalty Romans 6:23 Hebrews 9:27 
• Christ Paid the Penalty Romans 5:8 1 Peter 3:18 
• Salvation is not by Works Ephesians 2:8,9 Titus 3:5 
• Must Receive Christ John 1:12 Revelation 3:20 
• Assurance of Salvation 1 John 5:13 John 5:24 

RELY ON GOD'S RESOURCES

• His Spirit 1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 2:12 
• His Strength Isaiah 41:10 Philippians 4:13 
• His Faithfulness Lamentations 3:22,23 Numbers 23:19 
• His Peace Isaiah 26:3 1 Peter 5:7 
• His Provision Romans 8:32 Philippians 4:19 
• His Help in Temptation Hebrews 2:18 Psalms 119:9,11 

BE CHRIST'S DISCIPLE

• Put Christ First Matthew 6:33 Luke 9:23 
• Separate From the World 1 John 2:15,16 Romans 12:2 
• Be Steadfast 1 Corinthians 15:58 Hebrews 12:3 
• Serve Others Mark 10:45 2 Corinthians 4:5 
• Give Generously Proverbs 3:9,10 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 
• Develop World Vision Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19,20 

GROW IN CHRIST-LIKENESS

•  Love John 13:34,35 1 John 3:18 
• Humility Philippians 2:3,4 1 Peter 5:5,6 
• Purity Ephesians 5:3 1 Peter 2:11 
• Honesty Leviticus 19:11 Acts 24:16 
• Faith Hebrews 11:6 Romans 4:20,21 
• Good Works Galatians 6:9,10 Matthew 5:16 

Well this should be enough to keep us all busy for quite a while, don't you think?

Quiet Time: Scripture Memory Card File

How to Build a Scripture Memory Card File

I told everyone in my last blog that I'd share a very simple method that will not only get you memorizing scripture but will guarantee your ability to recall what you’ve committed to memory weeks, months, and even years later.So, here it is:

1. Get some 3 x 5 index cards with a  file box
   
2. Label the divider tabs as follows: 
• New
• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday....etc
  
  
  
3. Write down your first memory verse on a 3 x 5 index card
   
4.  Place it behind "New" tab. (see picture at number 2 above)
   
5. Review it every day until you have it memorized. 
• Actually I carry it around in my pocket and review it all day. That's why my cards look so frumpy!
6. On the day you memorize it, place it behind the divider tab for that day. 
• In other words, if you begin working on a verse Monday and finally get it memorized by Thursday, you'd stick the verse behind the Thursday tab. (again see #2 above)
7. Now, here's how you guarantee that you'll never forget it. 
• Each day of the week you'll pull the verse out from behind the divider for that day and see if you can still recall it without messing up the words or address. (no cheating)
• If you don't remember it, place it back behind the "New" tab and begin at step 5 again.

OK, time for a personal confession. I've not reviewed some of my old cards lately; therefore, I've forgotten many of the verse addresses. Looks like there are going to be quite a few cards behind the "Now" tab again!

Other things to do with your card:

• Use the back of the card as a journal, noting why the verse is important to you and how God is is working in your life through it at that moment.

  

  I add a few words of the verse to get me started when first trying to memorize it/
• List any cross references that help shed light on the verse.
• Note the day and date that you memorize the verse. You'll be amazed to see several years later the things God was revealing to you through scripture at that particular time in your life.
  
• Draw a picture that helps you recall the scripture especially if it's part of a larger idea. (Once I drew a picture of a lighthouse with the foundation representing one verse, the structure another verse, and the light as the third part of a three part idea of the Word being my foundation, strong tower, and light. Hey, don't laugh, it worked for me!

• I have a pastor friend who says that he took it one step further. First, he makes another set of dividers for prayer requests. Next, he writes down the request and places it behind the "New" tab. Finally, he moves the card to the day the request was answered. Now, that's a man of faith!

On a side note:  I'd suggest moving your verses to a monthly review file once you feel that you've gotten them well in hand and can recall them at will.


By the way, there are many variations on this idea. Google "Scripture Memory Index Cards".

Here are a couple of links to home school moms with ideas that may be helpful. (much more detailed than my version) Go moms!:

Scripture Memory Box by Kendra on http://www.thecurriculumchoice.com/2012/06/scripture-memory-box/

You've gotta love a mom who's tech savvy.  

Check out this YouTube video:

 

Don't forget to comment back with how you're doing, as well as, any other ideas you may have that will help us all memorize more scripture.

Quiet Time: What's In Your Heart

What’s In Your Wallet Heart

The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip. – Psalm 37:31

We’ve all seen the credit card commercial with the tag line “What’s in your wallet?” insinuating their company’s ability to keep people safe and confident. The truth is security can’t be found in a card.

Talk really is cheap, isn’t it? But when God speaks we can have full confidence in what He says.

His words are tried and true. That’s why we must cultivate the habit of memorizing scripture. We need to have the truth deep within our mind, will, and emotion – our soul, as well as, ready on our lips.

When we allow His word to dig deep within our heart we find confidence and strength beyond what we ever thought possible. We find a ready answer to doubts and fears. We find definitive direction and firm footing for life’s myriad questions and quandaries. We find that God really is with us, a very present help in time of trouble.

God wants His followers to memorize bible verses. He wants His word to be fixed in our hearts and minds (Deut. 11:18) and His laws always passing before our eyes (2 Sam. 22:23). God wants us living in line with what we learn and memorize (Deut. 6:6) because He knows that He is our best hope for a bright future and only true security.

Furthermore, and practically speaking, memorizing scripture is the only way to have a biblical world view. A right resolution to the world's wrong solutions.

Now I know, that most of us believe that scripture is worth memorizing; however, we’ve not developed a systematic way of doing it.

In my next blog, I will share a very simple method that will not only get you memorizing scripture but will guarantee your ability to recall what you’ve committed to memory weeks, months, and even years later.

Stayed tuned (I'll include pictures)