“Are you ready?! Are. You. Ready?! I’m getting excited!! Romans…..3:10! Who’s righteous? NO ONE! Here wo go! How about another?! Romans 4……22-25!!!! Who was raised for our justification? JESUS!” Fists pumping in the air, grin from ear to ear; you would’ve thought I was trying to get a crowd of 200 excited at an event. But it was me on Monday for our Table 8 Zoom call, yelling out some of our memory verses to the rest of my awesome Bible study group. I like to THINK I facilitate a group of 200. This go-around of Bible study, we’re a group of 6!
God has led us to the book of Romans, and I decided that we’ve talked long enough about the need and the desire to memorize Bible verses. We’ve attempted to do it a few times over the last five years we’ve met but have never really made it a priority. This time, we’re going at it hard core. We are going to be memorizing no less than 17 verses in the book of Romans! Maybe more as God leads…let’s not box us in just yet!
Why should we be memorizing Bible verses? Why is it important to remember the words of God? The list is endless but let’s chat about a few.
Satan is lurking around trying to distort our thoughts and actions, keeping us from a relationship with our heavenly Father.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. –1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. –Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” –Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV)
There are still people around us that need to know about the gospel of Jesus Christ!
And He said until them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” –Mark 16:15 (KJV)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. –Romans 10:17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. –2 Timothy 3:16-17
It allows us to have a deeper relationship with God.
I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You. –Psalm 119:11
But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” –Matthew 4:4 (NASB) (reference to Deuteronomy 8:3)
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. –Romans 15:4
A wonderful Bible study leader of mine years ago, Laura Whitmore, said that when we stain God’s Word into our hearts and into the core of who we are, just a like a piece of wood receiving stain, it soaks in, changing you…the way you think, the way you feel, the way you do things. It’s not just at the surface. It deepens your faith in our Savior and becomes a part of who you are.
And that’s why we’re going to memorize verses at Table 8. We desire a closer and deeper relationship with God that allows us to trust Him and Him alone as our Hope.
How about you, dear friends?! Can I encourage you to start memorizing Scripture with us? What tips do you have to help memorize verses? Share in the comments below!
~Erin
Iron Porch 