Memorizing Colossians – February Encouragement
I have come across a wonderful booklet called A Call to Scripture Memory by Susan Heck. In the booklet she has us ask ourselves five questions while considering the importance of Scripture memorization:
1. Who should memorize Scripture? (Is Scripture memorization necessary for all Christians?)
2. Why should we memorize Scripture?
3. What Scripture should we memorize?
4. When should we memorize Scripture?
5. How do we learn to memorize Scripture?
The answer to question one is – “All who know the Lord should be memorizing His Word”.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Psalm 119:23
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God
Colossians 3:16
If you are just joining us in memorizing Colossians, please know that you can go at your own pace and it is never too late to start.
Some tips I have found helpful are:
- Writing out the verses for the week and the review verses on my calendar every Sunday.
- Printing out my verses for the week and my review verses on paper and keeping them in strategic areas around the house (bathroom mirror, above the washing machine and by the kitchen sink).
- Saying each verse out loud 20 times or more when I first start memorizing it. Then repeating it to myself throughout the day.
- Review is important – remember to review daily those verses you have already memorized.
- Listening to the verses on my iPod has helped me to become more familiar with the passage. I am using the ESV and found a free program to download to my iPod here.
- January was my month to read the book of Colossians every day. I believe I am going to stick with Colossians for February. John MacArthur has a great sermon on this from his Fundamentals of the Faith Study here.
- I have benefited greatly from the Scripture Typer app on my phone and iPad.
Overview of February’s Memorization Schedule
January 29
Colossians 1:9-10 / Review Colossians 1:1-8
February 5
Colossians 1:11-12 / Review Colossians 1:1-10
February 12
Colossians 1:13-14 / Review Colossians 1:1-12
February 19
Colossians 1:15-16 / Review 1:1-14
February 26
Colossians 1:17-18 / Review Colossians 1:1-16
One of the most valuable aids to meditation is Scripture memorization. In fact, when I encounter someone who is battling discouragement or depression, I often ask two questions: “Are you singing to the Lord?” and “Are you memorizing Scripture? These two exercises are not some magical formula to make all our problems go away, but they do have incredible power to change our perspective and attitude towards the issues we are facing.
~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss ~