A page that explains a
variety of approaches to Studying the Bible
1.
Introduction
This
page introduces the subject of memorising Scripture, shows the value
of doing it, and ways of going about doing it.
In
a day when memorising things is fairly uncommon (unless you are an actor
memorising a script), this practice may be quite difficult for many.
2.
Why Memorise Scripture
Memorising
Scripture has two particular benefits:
1.
Short term
•
the actual practice of learning
Scripture will bring a greater understanding to the verse or verses
than casual reading brings, and the learning practice sometimes becomes
akin to meditation.
2.
Long term
•
once you have the Scripture in
your memory, you will find that you can bring it to remembrance and
apply it to your life circumstances whenever it is needful, and it
thus becomes part of your armoury
3.
Going about Memorising Scripture
There
are 3 stages in memorising Scripture:
1.
Choosing the verse
•
start small and easy
•
start with one verse that is memorable
and meaningful to you
2.
Repeat the verse
•
repetition is the key
•
if it's a long verse take it in
parts, repeating each part out loud at least three times, adding on
the next part and then repeating the whole at least three times. (seek
to speak it with meaning, even dramatically)
•
come back to it later in the day
and do it again. (possibly use a reminder card put somewhere where
you can easily see it.)
•
say it before going to bed at
night, repeat it first thing in the morning.
3.
Revisit the verses
Add
a verse a day but repeat all previous verses. It is probable that you
will have spells when you focus on memorising Scriptures.
Some
people find they have a particularly good memory and can memorise entire
chapters and even books.
Other
people find it more difficult and so it that is you, simply chose memorable
and meaningful specific verses from around the Bible.
Do
what suits you.
4.
Some verses to start off
Individual
verses in the Old Testament:
Psa
37:4 Proverbs
3:5 Isaiah 41:10
Eccles 9:17
Individual
verses in the New Testament:
Matt
5:16 Matt 11:28 Matt 16:25
Matt 18:20 Rom 4:3 Rom 5:8
Rom
6:23 Rom 8:1 Rom 8:28 Rom
12:2 1 Cor 10:13 2Cor 5:7
2
Cor 12:9 Gal 5:22,23 Eph 1:4
Eph 2:10 Phil 3:14 Phil 4:6
Passages
in the Old Testament:
Exo
20:1-17 (Ten Commandments)
Psalm
1
Proverbs
3:5-10
Isaiah
53:1-12
Isaiah
61:1-7
Passages
in the New Testament:
Matthew
5:3-12
John
1:1-14
John
15:1-8
John
15:9-17
1
Corinthians 13
We
hope you'll have a go at memorising Scripture, and see what it does
for you.