Bible Intake (Part 2)

For the Purpose of Godliness

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: A Study Guide Based on the Book Central Idea

CENTRAL IDEA

The intake of God’s Word is the most important Spiritual Discipline. Only as we read and study the Bible can we appropriate what God has for us. We do this through memorizing and meditating on Scripture and by applying what we learn to our daily lives.

Memorizing God’s Word

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: A Study Guide Based on the Book Memorizing God’s Word

Many Christians look on the Spiritual Discipline of memorizing God’s Word as something tantamount to modern-day martyrdom. How come? Perhaps because many associate all memorization with the memory efforts required of them in school. It was work, and most of it was uninteresting and of limited value. Frequently heard, also, is the excuse of having a bad memory. But what if I offered you one thousand dollars for every verse you could memorize in the next seven days? Do you think your attitude toward Scripture memory and your ability to memorize would improve? Any financial reward would be minimal when compared to the accumulating value of the treasure of God’s Word deposited within your mind.

Memorization Strengthens Your Faith and Ministry

Acts 2:14–40 KJV 1900

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Memorization Supplies Spiritual Guidance and Power

Psalm 119:24 KJV 1900

Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellers.

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

Colossians 3:2 KJV 1900

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Memorization Stimulates Meditation

Tips on Scripture Memory

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: A Study Guide Based on the Book Memorization Stimulates Meditation

A. Write out the verses on a sheet of paper or index cards.

B. Draw picture reminders to trigger your memory of key words in the verses.

C. Memorize the verses perfectly, word for word with each reference.

D. Find someone who will hold you accountable for your memory work and will review verses with you.

E. Every day, review some of the verses you have memorized and meditate on them.

Meditating on God’s Word

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life: A Study Guide Based on the Book Meditating on God’s Word—Benefits and Methods

Select an appropriate passage and choose the verse(s), phrase(s), or word(s) that impresses you most.

• Repeat each verse or passage in different ways, emphasizing different words each time. Think deeply on the truth that flashes into your mind each time you repeat it.

• Rewrite the verse or passage in your own words.

• Ask yourself questions about the verse or passage. (Does it reveal something about God? Something you should pray about or make a decision about? Something you should do for the sake of Christ, others, or yourself? And so on.)

• Ask yourself what God would have you do as a result of your encounter with this part of His Word. After your meditation, you should be able to name one (or more) definite response(s) or action(s) you will make because of what you have read.

• Pray as you read through the text. This will submit your mind to the Holy Spirit’s illumination and intensify your spiritual perception.

• Don’t rush through the biblical text. Read less Scripture, if necessary, in order to have adequate time for meditation.

The Value of Applying God’s Word

James 1:22–25 KJV 1900

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

John 13:17 KJV 1900

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.