Scripture Memorization in 2022
By Nicole Schrader
Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)
Sometimes I feel like I’m not doing a great job representing Jesus. As I get older, I realize how far from the holiness of God my motives and thoughts and even my words and actions can be. I get discouraged when I feel I fail to take advantage of opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with friends. The conviction of the Holy Spirit—meant to stimulate my desire and drive toward holiness—can cast me into a self-condemning spiral.
When my thoughts take me down these dark paths, the light of the Word of God guides me back to the truth—the truth which reaffirms the fact that my righteousness is rooted in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I love the way a new year is a like a new beginning—a time to set goals and ask God for fresh vision for the year ahead. This year, God’s given me the desire to commit more of His words to memory. I’ve memorized Scripture before. The process of writing and re-writing Scripture, repeating phrases and sentences again and again, and meditating on the meaning of the inspired words deepened my love for God and strengthened my faith. But without diligent repetition, those beloved passages have grown strangely dim.
Last year, I completed a fast-paced Bible reading plan—one which took me through the entire Bible in a year. It was rewarding to recognize broader biblical themes and read familiar verses in context. But this year, I want to savor the words and take time to sit with them. I look forward to waiting on God for new insight—for His Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). I want to take the bigger passages I read in context last year and commit them to memory.
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:13-16 NIV)
Want to memorize Scripture this year and see how God will prosper it in your life? I’d love to share some pointers with you which have been helpful for me.
Application Points:
Ask God to reveal a passage of Scripture to commit to memory.
Read and then write out the entire passage.
Post it in a place you will see it regularly (refrigerator door, bathroom mirror, etc.).
Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you to memorize the passage.
Write a phrase or verse from the passage and repeat it to yourself every day until you memorize it.
Highlight the first letters of the words, write them down separately, and see if you can recite the verse using only those letters.
Read the first word and finish the verse from memory.
Meditate on the words and their meaning throughout the day.
Pray God’s Word back to Him.
Move on to the next verse and go through the same process. Don’t forget to review the passage from the beginning.
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About Nicole: Retired homeschool mother who loves to travel, bake bread, read, and spend time with her kids and grandkids. www.nicolelisamaria.com.. |