If you are reading this post and just starting to join us in memorizing Colossians you may be asking yourself – How can I do this? Well, the simple answer to that question is – Just Start! Go back to January's post and start at the beginning. There is no deadline, no time limit, no one keeping track of how quickly you memorize Scripture. The purpose of these posts is to encourage one another to start memorizing God's Word.
The next area we open up in Susan Heck's booklet – A Call to Memorize Scripture is: How Should We Memorize Scripture? She gives three tips:
1. Just Start
2. Set Realistic Goals
3. Find an Accountability Partner
The first step is obvious – we can all have a million excuses but no one is too busy to memorize scripture. It is a matter of getting our priorities in order and being diligent in speaking God's Word to ourselves as we go about our daily tasks.
Setting Goals that are attainable is important. It is probably not realistic for most of us to memorize a chapter a day – but a verse or two a week may be a more likely goal. Don't begin the process by setting yourself up for failure but start with goals that are realistic and you are more likely to stay on track.
Having a partner to encourage each other on in the memorizing process is a great help. It helps to have someone asking you how you are doing and where you are at.
Here is this month's schedule and for those of you who have kept up with the schedule you are at the halfway point by month's end. For those of us who are not on schedule (that would be me!!) we are still working towards that goal. Do not give up!! Keep on moving forward and don't quit!
Overview of June's Memorizing Schedule
June 3
Colossians 2:15-16 / Review Colossians 2:1-14
June 10
Colossians 2:17-18 / Review Colossians 2:1-16
June 17th
Colossians 2:19-20 / Review Colossians 2:1-18
June 24th
Colossians 2:21-23 / Review Colossians 1-20
July 1
Review Colossians Chapters 1 & 2
10 Reasons to Memorize Scripture:
1. It creates and sustains delight in the law of the Lord (Psm. 1:2-3; 119:97).
2. It keeps you from sin (Psm. 119:11).
3. It fulfills your very purpose for living (Mt. 4:4).
4. It fends off the flaming arrows of the evil one (Eph. 6:16).
5. It feeds, sustains and grows faith (Pro. 22:18-19; Rom. 10:17).
6. It teaches you how to pray more effectively (Jn. 15:7).
7. It lets the Word of Christ richly dwell in you (Jn. 15:7; Col. 3:15).
8. It assists in encouraging, evangelizing and defending the faith (Pro. 10:11; 1 Pet. 3:16).
9. It promotes ongoing meditation (Jos. 1:8).
10. It was done by Jesus (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10).
Adapted from: Grace Church of DuPage
Scripture Memory Program, Informational Booklet
Related Links:
Funny how God often keeps bringing the same topic in front of us in various ways to get our attention. I’ve felt convicted that I need to memorize Scripture. Found your blog and this challenge. Then today I received this great devotional from Open Doors talking about Scripture memorization and the persecuted church. http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=57082.0&dlv_id=80422
Thank you for your encouragement. God’s definitely using you! 🙂
Thanks for this great list of motivators. I once memorized Philippians, but I haven’t even thought of memorizing a whole book for many years. Thanks for giving me reason to do it. Bless you, Gail