My advisor (Radu Gheorghita) is a very strong advocate for memorization of the Bible. Not simply “fighter verses,” or a verse here or there related to common themes, but chapter by chapter, book by book, memorizing.
I can see his point, when your mind becomes the database of the specific area of God’s word you’re trying to master, you will naturally make connections that would otherwise never be uncovered.
A large portion of study in the rabbinic model is given to memorization. In fact, you don’t really begin studying the meaning of the text until you know it by heart, yes, by heart!
When King David says “I have hidden your word in my heart” (though well before Judah invented the ‘rabbi’ in Babylon) he does not simply mean that he is fond of the Bible, he means that it is a treasure that, at the very least, was committed to memory.
Millions of Muslims have their holy book memorized, and how many Christians can’t even get through reading the Bible in a year? How about just the New Testament?
I am convicted. We need to know the Bible, especially the New Testament. Shame on us for taking the Bible for granted. I’m taking up this challenge to put more of God’s word into my heart! As I hide his word in my heart, in my life, through my mind, may I not sin against him. amen.
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I will too. I worked on James for a long time, but as a whole. I have been working on 2 Timothy during the course of this semester, and there has been some good payoff for the work.
I can see the specific advantage in putting the Word in my heart, verse by verse, as I can quote sections of James, but not individual scriptures with references. There are many “fighter” verses that I know… but I’ve been deeply convicted over this myself lately as I lead children to memorize, but I often fail to have the verses fully down myself. My wife, Christina, and I have been discussing it regularly of late.
I will too. I worked on James for a long time, but as a whole. I have been working on 2 Timothy during the course of this semester, and there has been some good payoff for the work.
I can see the specific advantage in putting the Word in my heart, verse by verse, as I can quote sections of James, but not individual scriptures with references. There are many “fighter” verses that I know… but I’ve been deeply convicted over this myself lately as I lead children to memorize, but I often fail to have the verses fully down myself. My wife, Christina, and I have been discussing it regularly of late.
Except I’m going to stick to English for now…
Except I’m going to stick to English for now…
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