My friend Cindy Bultema has put together a challenge to memorize 26 verses of Scripture in 2012. That's only one verse every-other week! I told her to count me in - the question is, who else is with me?
Before you start telling yourself why you couldn't possibly do this, let me share my experience with Scripture memorization.
I wish I could say I started memorizing Bible verses as a child (because I think the younger your brain, the easier it is) but I was close to thirty years old before I started even reading Scripture (and that was sporadic, at best).
Back in 2004 I was blessed to attend a lecture series given by one of my all-time favorite Bible teachers, Ray VanderLaan. Throughout his lecture he'd be rattling off Scripture from memory, and I loved to hear the Word spoken as opposed to read.
Then, the unthinkable happened. In the middle of his lecture, mid-verse, he lost his train of thought. He took a moment, but never did get back on track. I was very new at teaching, and this was one of my greatest fears, but it didn't seem to faze him a bit. He said something like, "Well, I guess that's gone" and continued with his teaching.
His stumble actually gave me confidence, because I thought if he can act like forgetting part of a verse isn't a big deal while in front of this large crowd, then it shouldn't be a big deal if it happens to me in my little class.
I was scheduled to teach a series of classes on John 15, and with this new confidence I decided to memorize that chapter. It was a bit more of a challenge for me, however, because just a few years earlier I suffered a closed-head injury. I had a hard time finishing my own sentences, let alone someone else's.
It took me a year (remember, I was working with half my brain tied behind my back) but I eventually memorized the entire chapter.
Then, in 2009, I knew I'd be teaching a 9-week series on the book of James. In early June I felt called to memorize it, so I printed out the verses and had them with me everywhere - while scrubbing the floor, out for a walk, wherever! Three months later, when the class was ready to start, I had memorized the whole book - five chapters!
If I'm introduced to you, I'll probably need to hear your name twenty times before I remember it, but by the grace of God (and much repetition) I can memorize Scripture. (And if I can do it, what's your excuse?)
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to
you." ~ John 14:26
I think this is one of the most exciting verses in the Bible! God has given the Holy Spirit all the work! I just need to get the verses in my mind, and then He will remind me of what I need when I need it! How cool is that?
So...who's with me? I'd love to know who's taken up the challenge, so please leave a comment if you choose to join me!
Lisa, I love, love, love your post! I sat under Ray's teachings in the past (awesome!) so really appreciated your personal story with him. I also admire your commitment and dedication to Scripture Memory! You go girl!
Thanks for sharing the challenge! May God use His Word to transform us from the inside out!
Love to you~
Cindy :)
Hi Lis,
I'm in! Last year Syd's kindergarten class learned a verse for every letter of the alphabet - I miss learning with them.
Kami
I'm in! This is something I really need to do.
Chris