Spiritual Disciplines: Scripture Memory
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Intro
Intro
Pray for Collin and Family. Read his text to me.
Alright, tonight we are talking about the spiritual discipline of memorization. And this little devotion tonight is going to hopefully not only be inspiring and informative, but practical as well.
We’re gonna talk about how it fits in as a spiritual discipline. I’m going to encourage you to maybe look at it differently than you have in the past. And then I’m going to give you some tips as to how to go about memorizing scripture.
As far as your word groups go…obviously it’s going to be hard to “practice” memorization in the span of 45 minutes to an hour. So rather, you’re going to be discussing it…maybe helping each other move forward in it…but then you are going to be diving into the main passage of tonight for further study.
So let’s start tonight with an encouragement and a “change in perspective”. Out of curiosity, how many of you have tried to memorize scripture before? Or have been part of a group like Awana or something in the past that makes scripture memory a vital part of its program?
Great. So many of these programs, and many messages that have been preached about scripture memory, and many apps that allow you to memorize scripture (which we will get into in a minute)…they have a common focus. A good focus…but a common focus.
They are generally focused on scripture memorization as a way of preparing you for the future.
And this is really really really good. And valuable. And it comes from scriptures like these...
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
You can see it there right? I have stored God’s word…for the future prevention of sin.
So in one way, and a very important way…the memorization of God’s word is aids us in our sanctification. It helps us in our fight against sin and our pursuit of holiness.
And this alone, is a reason it is a spiritual discipline.
Let me be clear. Memorization is a spiritual discipline.
Meaning, it is necessary and crucial in the life of a Christian.
Let me get even more clear.
Just like reading God’s word, and meditating on God’s word, memorization of God’s word is a necessary component of your life to follow hard after Jesus and deepen your discipleship.
And tonight, I want to help you understand that it’s crucial to your walk with Christ not JUST BECAUSE it aids in your fight against future sin…or gives you a verse to rely on in times of need...
Tonight I want to encourage you that scripture memorization is critical for your walk today…aids in your walk today…and can and should be a part of your daily devotion. Scripture memory is not just like eating your vegetables.
You know, as you’re eating green beans…you can’t feel the nutrients being supplied to your body. However, you eat them knowing that they can and will supply necessary things for your body to thrive. Scripture memorization can be like that, and is like that…but it’s not the only thing that it’s good for. It has some immediate benefits as well.
So, onto our first point of encouragement.
Memorize for Today, Not Tomorrow:
You know, it is amazing how many times Jesus focuses on the “here and now”. He tells us not to worry about the concerns of tomorrow, for today is enough. In fact, Jesus even teaches us to pray that way right? When Jesus teaches us the Lord’s prayer. You know it…our father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name...
Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV)
9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
I want you to notice…Jesus’ prayer isn’t give us tomorrow’s bread....it’s give us today’s bread.
The prayer is “God, supply us with today’s needs…give us today’s provision…provide and minister to us this day.”
We need to take the same attitude when it comes to the spiritual disciplines. Yes, they aid in our future…but they also are the bread that is given today. They aid in God’s provision in our lives. And scripture memory is part of that. We should be memorizing scripture as part of today’s bread, not just tomorrow’s.
And why is that? How does it aid us in our daily walk, not just in times of need? Well let me tell you a few things that are happening when we memorize scripture.
We are learning the voice of our shepherd.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
When you memorize scripture…,you’re not just learning theology. You’re not just learning what God WOULD say in a situation…you’re learning what God DOES say. You’re learning not just his opinion, or his sayings....but if you’re memorizing scripture you’re learning his VOICE.
To use a sports analogy:
Theology gets us into the ballpark, memorized scripture into the clubhouse
Or another way....Theology takes us to the neighborhood, but memorized scripture puts us in the house.
Memorization allows us to know God’s voice…and to discern God’s spirit in a powerful way. One of my favorite quotes from this spiritual discipline book is..
“Memorization contributes powerfully in the present to make us the kind of person who walks in the spirit today.”
To put it in now plainer terms. Memorization is the best tool to allow us to discern the will of God.
So not only is memorization critical for the sheep of God to hear their shepherd…but it’s also critical for daily living, transformation and life with the church, the body of Christ.
We are learning how to live with God and for God.
Let me read for you two verses.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Guys, these verses aren’t just about setting your minds on the things above for the 20 minutes you might be reading your bible everyday. These verses are about setting your mind on the things above, throughout your life.
And the way to set your mind on the things above is to know the things above. To know what they are and what they contain. And you not only do that through reading scripture, but memorizing scripture so that it is with you always.
But it’s not just about you…your personal walk with Christ. Scripture memory is about walking with others in Christ as well.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
I want to ask you.
What is the mind that we should all have in common? If being of the same mind is so important for church unity, and church humility…then who’s mind should we be conforming to?
You know the answer. It’s obvious.
God’s mind. God’s mind is the mind we should be conforming to. And how do we do that?
1) By Knowing and understanding it through reading it.
2) By knowing the application of it to our lives through meditation.
3) And by remembering it and treasuring it through memorizing it.
If we are going to be unified as the body of Christ is meant to…if we are going to be humble together the way that we should…we need to consider the importance of memorization. Memorization isn’t just for our personal good in some undefined future…it’s for our good now, and it’s for the good of God’s church now.
Okay? Okay. I think I’ve explained the spiritual significance…so how do you go about doing it then? Let me give you some tips.
Don’t separate memorization from meditation.
When we take meditation seriously, we seek not only to understand what we are memorizing, but also to linger over it, and feel it, and even begin to apply it as we memorize.
When we pursue Scripture memory with meditation, we’re not just storing up for transformation later, gut enjoying food for our soul today and experiencing transformation now. And when the focus is more on feeding and shaping, then constant review is less important.
2. Make it personal.
3. Pray it.
4. View it through gospel.
5. Use apps.
Fourth of July Party this Saturday.
What we are doing tonight.