On Memorizing Scripture

Things that come to mind when I think about memorization:


- all the times I nervously stood in front of the class in grade school and had to recite a piece of poetry.

- all the times I have memorized the Romans Road or other faith sharing plans only to forget the scripture references.
- all the times I have had nightmares where I am in school again, and I forget my locker combination.
- all the times I have memorized phone numbers and addresses only to forget them once they are replaced with new ones.


Can you relate to any of these things?


Now onto the topic of memorizing scripture.


Nobody is going to deny the importance of memorizing scripture. But the traditional way that we are taught to memorize scripture is hard. Take bible drill for example- You recite the scripture reference. Then the verse. Then the reference again. I don't know about you, but the hardest part for me is remembering the scripture references. (I'm not that great at remembering numbers anyways.) Well, I've found a way to memorize scripture that works for me, and I thought I would share it.


Don't memorize single verses. Memorize a whole chapter or better yet, memorize a whole book of the Bible. I just finished memorizing the first chapter of James, and it took less than a month. 

I've found that memorizing larger portions of scripture gives me a sense of accomplishment, and I am able to review the words easier if I don't have to recall a whole list of chapters and numbers. For example, I can't tell you the exact verse number, but I do know that, "..everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," can be found in chapter one of the book of James. A few years ago, I memorized the book of Philippians, and I know that the passage of scripture that includes, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God," is found in the 4th chapter.


If you have a favorite verse, that is a good place to start. Then, start memorizing the verses in front of and behind that verse. Eventually you will have the whole chapter memorized. Then, instead of counting sheep at night, you can review that whole passage of scripture. That is how I came to memorize the book of Philippians. I started with a few verses in chapter one and decided to build on what I had learned. Eventually I had to whole chapter memorized and I decided to keep going. I still have to review Philippians to keep it fresh, but I will never forget it. I wish I could say that about the dozens of random verses I have memorized over the years.


I can't help but think about the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In light of that book, I am proud to say that I am the book of Philippians and the first chapter of James and the first 18 verses of John's gospel. If Bibles are ever scarce or become illegal or I am trapped on a desert island, at least I will have these precious portions of scripture to cling to.

I'm definitely not the first person to come up with this idea. Here is another blog post that has been circulating lately about memorizing scripture.

Blessings,
Emily

"Don't Make Me Count to Three!"

I just finished re-reading Ginger Plowman's book, "Don't Make Me Count to Three!" I first read it several years ago when Austin was a baby, but I wanted to read it again now that he is older. If you have heard of Tedd Tripp's book, Shepherding a Child's Heart, Ginger Plowman's book is similar in theory. As a mom, though, she gives great practical parenting advice in addition to laying out the biblical justifications for disciplining children.

For any of you with toddlers and preschool aged children, I would highly recommend reading this book. Her basic idea is that when your child does something foolish (disobedience or any other sin), you should use the Bible to reprove them (tell them what they did wrong and why), and then you should administer the rod (spanking, etc.) You should also make them go back to the scene of the crime and act out how they should have behaved. She gives good examples of how she has done this in her own home.

Ginger Plowman also created something called Wise Words for Mom, which is a kind of chart that tells you what scriptures to use when disciplining your children. This helps you address the heart issues of sin instead of just the outward behavior. I admit that I need to do this more with Austin. Since he is older and better able to understand things, I need to start giving him biblical reasons for why I want him to obey, be nice to his brother, etc. I guess that is one of the things I hope to improve upon in 2011.

Christmas 2010

 

My parents cooking breakfast Christmas morning.

Decorating little brother.

 Austin wasn't feeling very well Christmas morning.

Can you see the worry on my face?

 Austin would perk up to open a gift and then slump back down in his seat. It was so pitiful.

Poor Austin did end up getting sick after he opened his presents, but thankfully it wasn't a very violent sickness, and he got over it in a few hours. The bad part was that we didn't want to expose Joseph's grandma and extended family to whatever bug he had, so Joseph took David to the big Christmas lunch, and Austin and I stayed at his parents' house by ourselves. He was feeling better the day after Christmas, though, when all Joseph's brothers and sisters came over for another big family gathering, so that was good.

Overall, we had a very nice Christmas in 2010.

Baby's First Christmas

 David was at such a great age for his first Christmas.

We even got to spend Christmas in Tennessee since it fell on a weekend. 

(Joseph usually works Christmas Day night)

 David loved playing with the bows and wrapping paper.

 I don't have as many pictures of Austin because, as you will see in a later post, he was not exactly feeling his best on Christmas morning.

Christmas Party 2010

A few weeks before Christmas, Austin had a few friends over for a little holiday party. They had so much fun. I delegated activities to the other moms, Charlotte and Katie, so all I had to do was prepare a simple lunch for everyone. Katie and Charlotte are both amazingly creative, so I knew I could count on them to come up with a few fun games and crafts.

Amos decorating a cookie.

Everybody waiting for story time.

Between the three of us, we have 5 boys and 2 girls (Charlotte left the baby girl at home)

Kimberlyn had the pink frosting, of course.

Austin was so excited to use a knife.

Kimberlyn and Iain- 21 months apart, but little sister likes to do everything big brother does