Look up each of the following passages and comment on how scripture memorization can help you in your Christian life.

• John 14:15
  
  Jesus is telling us that we can show our love for him by making sure that we obey his commands. I certainly cannot obey his commands unless I know what they are. And since I am so easily distracted by things which would keep me from obedience, memorization is one of best ways to make sure that I don't forget what I am supposed to do. His words will be brought to mind when needed.

  
  

  1Sa 15:22

  
  It seems that God's first concern is that I am obedient to his word. Nothing else matters. I cannot take matters into my own hands as did Saul. If obedience is so important, then again, I need to know what I am supposed to be obeying. Memorization makes this information available at all times

  
  

  1Jo 3:21-24

  
  Obedience to his word pleases God. It gives us confidence in prayer and the knowledge that we are saved. We cannot obey what we do not know. We cannot obey what we do not understand. Meditation and memorization of God's laws ensures understanding and constant awareness

  
  

  Ecclesiastes 12:13,14

  
  Solomon spent his entire life looking for purpose. He had wealth, fame and opportunity beyond anyone else. In the end he said that the only thing that mattered was fearing God and keeping his commandments. Why? Because everything we do whether good or bad will be brought to judgement. What I do on a moment by moment basis has eternal consequences. Memorizing God's commandments will help protect me from the danger of being judged.

  
  

  John 15:1-11

  
  Jesus is talking to his disciples now, but the basic truth of the passage applies to us all. Jesus says "if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit". He then restates the idea by saying "if you remain in me and my words remain in you." God's Spirit lives and works within us through his word. He attaches himself to us through his word. The more we know (and more importantly, obey) his word, the closer he will be to us. Is there a better reason to memorize it than this?

  
  

  Psalm 119:9-11

  
  "I have hidded your word in my heart". Clearly King David had much scripture memorized. It is interesting what he says. He says since the way to a pure life is to live according to God's word, I have hidden it in my heart. Although David seeks God with all his heart, he is still dependent on God. He says to God, 'I have hidded your word in my heart so that I will not sin, and now please help me obey them'.

  
  

  Psalm 119:105-106

  
  Since God's word is a light for my path I will be sure not to stumble as long as it is with me. If God's word is in my heart then I can be sure that it will be there whenever I am in a dark place.

  
  

  Mt 4:1-11

  
  Jesus was tempted by Saten three times. He was able to send him away by quoting scripture. He did not try to reason with him or discuss it, he just said, "it is written ... , so go away". I also can use my knowledge of scripture to resist sin. It is not absolutely neccessary that I have it memorized, but I do need to know it so well that it comes to mind quickly. A structured memorization program for scripture is the best way to make sure that what I need is available when I need it.

  
  

  Psalm 37:28-31

  
  "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip." The writer of this psalm says God favours the righteous. Since they know and obey God's laws, they will not stumble. To memorize scripture (and obey it) puts it in my heart.

  
  

  1Pe 3:15

  
  We are instructed to always be prepared to give a reason for our hope in Christ. This means that we should have a testimony prepared which answers the question "what has God done for me." The people we talk to will have questions about Christianity. To answer properly you need to have a good knowledge of the word of God.

  
  

  Ro 12:1-2

  
  If I know God's word, and meditate on it and make a special point to put it into practice I will find that it has the power to transform my mind. A mind filled with dark, undersirable and ungodly thoughts can be replaced with pure and godly things.

  
  

  Psalm 111:10

  
  Following God's precepts shows I have understanding. It has eternal value. If obedience to God's word has such a significant impact on my future, I ought to make sure that I am familiar with it. In fact, memorizing it is not too much to ask if it somehow impacts my future so strongly

  
  

  Prv 1:7; Prv 9:10

  
  "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding". Only if I know and respect God's word can I be considered to have understanding or wisdom.

  
  

  2 Timothy 2:14-17

  
  I must do my best to study the scriptures so that I will not misuse the word of God through a lack of understanding. If I do not really understand the scriptures, I may end up teaching foolishness to those whom I have an influence over.

  
  

  Heb 5:13-14

  
  The word of god helps me grow as I internalize it. I must use it on a daily basis. When my children started to get their teeth, we started to give them solid food, because their bodies needed it. If we were to continue to give them only milk, they would stop growing. But eating solid food takes some effort, just as it takes some effort to 'eat' the word of God. The point is that it is very important that we study the word of God the best we can-so we can grow.

  
  

  Eph 6:13-18

  
  The word of God is part of our armour and is to be used to defend ourselves against evil. It is compared to a sword. But you must have some skill if you are to use a sword successfully. If you give be a sword and made be defend myself against someone who knew how to use one, I'd be down in a moment. I need to know my weapon and I need to have spent much time in practice. It is like this with the word of God. I need to know my weapon and have experience using it. If I do not, it cannot help me in a time of temptation. But if I study it, memorize it and meditate on it, It will be my trusty weapon which will get me out all all sorts of situations.

  
  

Look up each verse and write down your comments

• Dt 6:6-9; Dt 11:18-21
  
  God clearly says we are to have as much exposure to his commandments as possible. We are to do what it takes to ensure that we and our children know, understand and obey Gods word. If I have the capability to memorize it, then I am almost obligated to do so. I need to make my children memorize it too.

  
  

  Joshua 1:7-8

  
  I am supposed to talk about Gods word in all situations. I must meditate on it night and day. If I do not have It memorized, I will not be able to meditate on it much during the night or other times when my bible is someplace else.

  
  

  Col 3:16

  
  The word of CHrist is to dwell inside me. I am to have access to it to teach and help my brothers when it is needed. This requires deliberate preparation of some sort.

  
  

  De 30:14

  
  God's word in my heart and mouth makes it easy to obey.

  
  

Look up each verse and write down why memorizing scripture can help.

• Psalm 19:14
  
  If I have scripture memorized, and I meditate on it, it would be pleasing to God.

  
  

  Mt 15:18; Ma 7:20-23; Lu 6:45

  
  The things I speak about are a reflection of what is already in my heart. Meditation on God's word will over time purify my heart and my speech and behavior will also change.

  
  

  Prv 4:23

  
  I must guard my heart. How? By what I think about and meditate on because this determines what I will be.

  
  

  Philippians 4:4-9

  
  Here I am told to think about what is good and pure.