One of the biggest blessings of my life is that I was encouraged to memorize scripture as a child. I was taken to AWANA from Sparkies all the way through high school to get my Citation award, and over the course of those years I learned a LOT of verses. But it didn't stop there. My parents helped and encouraged us to study the Bible at home as well.
Today in my quiet time I was reading Romans 12, and I found myself underlining about every other verse because they all seemed so familiar and applicable. And then I remembered that my mom had us learn the whole chapter as part of our homeschool curriculum one year.
I don't still remember every verse, but there is something about coming across once memorized but long forgotten passages. It's like an old friend dropping by to say hi. So wonderful and refreshing. And those words that have been hibernating in my head and heart come back to the forefront again.
Romans 12 is a beautiful chapter. I often struggle with Paul's writings because he is very wordy and sometimes very confusing, but this is clear and straightforward.
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor..."
"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Thank you mom and dad for encouraging us and helping us memorize scripture! Knowing the Bible is SO important, there is no better thing to learn. I will forever be grateful that His word is hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Him. (There's another verse...Psalms? I think.)
While I can see the benefits of memorizing, I have to say I've met a whole lot of people (not you) who have it memorized but don't apply it. So, as long as the children are also being encouraged to apply it - i.e. memorize it, then go, now how can I apply this to my daily life.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, applying the scripture to your life and actually living it is the most important thing. However, sometimes kids want to be rebellious and they stop applying it...but any scripture that is memorized is like a little seed planted in your heart and I don't think it is wasted effort. Hopefully the rebellious one will come back to live it eventually.
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