Memorize

Series: Highlights Paul’s Writings

Romans 8:28 ESV

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Philippians 1:6 ESV

Philippians 2:1-2 ESV

Philippians 3:13b-14 ESV

Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

Memorizing scripture is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I memorized a ton of scripture when I was in my twenties and that has been a huge help in my adult life. In addition to that it’s easier to memorize something when you are twenty than it is when you are 60 years old. You can still memorize things when older, but you have to work a little harder at it.

I have been praying about verses that have been a blessing to me and for the next few lessons I’ve included suggestions that I hope will bless you.

My all time favorite (and most used) is Romans 8:28…all things good.

When something bad happens, especially when it seems like it’s insurmountable, I speak Romans 8:28 to myself over and over again. It helps me to remember that while things look really bad, God will use it to bring equal goodness to my life.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

When I memorize I break the verse down into phrases. For example in this case I memorize everything before the comma, then when I have that down I memorize everything after the comma.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 has also been a great blessing. You can shorten it to the first phrase and just memorize the first sentence. That way you’ll know where to find it and you can look up the remainder of the verse.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 tells us, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 has been helpful to me because it reminds me I’m not in this world on my own. Since I am in Christ, Jesus made me a new creation. I didn’t do it. Jesus did it all. Jesus went to the cross so I can be a perpetual new creation.

Years ago there was a popular saying that if I’d have been the only one, Jesus would have died for me. That was true then and is true now.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

I was very young when Jesus made me a new creation. I hardly remember a time when I faced life on my own. Putting that together with Paul’s words in Roman’s 8:28, I know that because I am a new creation in Christ all thing will always work together for good.

Now when I learn a new passage of scripture I make a picture of the words and I add color to the picture.

According to the Malaysian Journal of Medical Science “Colour is believed to be the most important visual experience to human beings. It functions as a powerful information channel to the human cognitive system and has been found to play a significant role in enhancing memory performance. (Dzulkifli MA, Mustafar MF. The influence of colour on memory performance: a review. Malays J Med Sci. 2013 Mar;20(2):3-9. PMID: 23983571; PMCID: PMC3743993)

In addition to color enhancing our ability to remember something, if you are a visual learner making a picture of the words to put on your wall will double your chances of remembering the verse.

An easy self-assessment quiz can be found at: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

If you happen to be a visual learner seeing it will be helpful.

Color enhances our ability to remember so I make my visuals colorful. I’m not sure why but I use my favorite colors when I make a visual aid (that makes me love the picture) ; )

If you are an audio learner you learn best by repeating a verse out-loud.

Using your best learning style will help you to remember.

For some unknown reason I spent about a decade studying and re-studying Philippians. As I recall it wasn’t an easy time for me and I struggled with one thing after another.

Philippians 1:6 says, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

I learned a song that I still hum today when I come across that verse.

Philippians 2:1-2 tells us, “if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

From Philippians 3:13b-14 I remember, “one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

That verse helps me to remember that I need to not dwell on what has happened but instead press on looking for what lies ahead. Jesus is, was, and will be the goal!

Philippians 4:4-7 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

From Philippians 4:4-7 I memorized the entire section years ago but I remember Philippians 4:4 best when I am reminding myself to stay positive and trust God. Repeating the short version is a great help when someone or something negative is launching an attack on my thinking. When that happens I repeat Philippians 4:4 over and over again.

Please know that all of the verses I’ve included in this lesson are from the English Standard Version. When I was very young I memorized from the King James Bible because in the 1950’s that’s primarily what we used. Now I’ve landed on using the ESV to memorize scripture.

Without going into a lengthy explanation I’ll just say it’s a matter of preference. If you are unsure, your Pastor can help you select a good version for scripture memorization.

As you embark on a journey to memorize scripture I strongly suggest you to pray and ask God to help and guide you.

Spiritual Practice: Memorize

Choose one or more verses to memorize, or you can draw up a plan for the days and months ahead of verses you want to memorize.

In God, Deborah

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