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How To...
Memorize a Verse

• Read the verse several times to get the meaning.
• Start with the topic and reference, "Assurance of Salvation, John 5:24," and say it several times with the first phrase of the verse.
• Then when you can say that by heart, add the next phrase, and say the topic and reference together with both phrases.
• Continue phrase by phrase until you can say the entire verse from memory.
• Then each time you review the verse, state the topic, the reference, the verse, and the reference again at the end.
• By repeating the reference before and after the verse, it helps you remember the location of it in the Bible.

The key to successful Scripture memory is daily review. Review the verse every day until it becomes part of you. Carry cards with you so that they are handy for use during your spare time. Scripture memory can become a lifetime habit that will give you blessing and strength as you learn to apply the verses to your life.

Timothy Training: Lesson Two

To Do:

The Hand of the Word

If we really want to grasp something securely, we use all the fingers of our hand. Likewise if we want to get a firm grasp of the Word of God, we should use all the basic ways available to us. In the Hand Illustration, the five methods of getting a mature knowledge of God's Word are compared to the five fingers of one's hand.

If you use only one or two of these methods, such as sitting in church and hearing sermons from the preacher, it is like trying to retain a hold on the Book with only one or two fingers. This gives a very weak grip so that Satan can snatch the Word from us. However, if you use all these methods you will get a good hold of God's truth in such a way that Satan or false doctrines cannot make you lose your grip on God's Word.

HEARING

Ezekiel 33:31,32 gives the condition of the apostate church as those who listen to the preaching in the same way as they would listen to music.  They go just for entertainment. They pat the preacher on the back and tell him it was a fine message but do not heed the instruction given. God condemns such an attitude. He promises that He will give to His people pastors and teachers who will be able to feed them out of the Word of God (Jeremiah 3:15). We strongly recommend that you seek out a church where the preaching of God's Word can feed your soul. God has given such pastors to the church and it is His desire that you might be fed under them.

John 8:47 gives us an example of people who heard Jesus preach, yet did not hear what He said. Hearing does not merely mean listening to sounds but understanding the message. Notice Ezekiel 3:10. We should first receive the Word in our heart and then hear it with our ears.

When you go to church unprepared in heart to receive the message, you will get little out of it; but if your heart is right, God can speak to you and give you a great blessing. Many people sit under the sound of the Gospel for months, and even years, yet never hear the message because of hardened, rebellious hearts. So, our prayer for you is to open your heart to receive God's message from God's messenger (Haggai 1:13).

READING

Just as sitting under the sound of the Gospel is not necessarily hearing it, so the mere scanning through the pages of the Word is not necessarily reading it. You should read slowly and carefully, praying that the Lord will open the meaning of the Word to you. A good thing to do is to pray before reading the Word of God (Psalms 119:18).

It is important to read regularly. 1 Timothy 4:13 says, "Give attention to reading." We recommend that you read through the book of John at least twice and then go on to read the New Testament before delving into any of the Old Testament.

STUDYING

There is a difference between reading and studying. "Thoughts disentangle themselves passing through the lips and pencil tips." When we study God's Word, we should have a pen and a piece of paper in our hands. This will help us to better express our thoughts of the Word. We urge you to have a systematic pro-gram for Bible study. You build up yourself in the Word as you study the Bible.

MEMORIZING

Memorizing God's Word is a vital key in helping us overcome sin in our lives. Examine the temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even our Savior did not meet Satan with His own understanding. He quoted from the Old Testament to come out victorious over Satan (Matthew 4:4,7 and 10). The Lord used a different verse of Scripture to meet each particular temptation of Satan.

Ephesians 6:16 says, "Take the shield of faith that you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Satan attacks in many ways, and to be victorious, the Christian must be equipped with much Scripture.

When Satan tempts us, the chances are that we will not have our Bibles in our hands. The only thing we will have from God's Word with which to fight Satan is what we can remember from the Bible. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and how important it is to store up God's Word ahead of time so as to meet the temptations when they come. The greatest commandment in all the Scripture is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Deuteronomy 6:6 commands us to lay up these words in our hearts. To know Christ is to love Him. As we come to know and possess the Word of God in our very lives and hearts, we will then come into that intimate relationship with Christ. This will enable us to love Him with all our soul, heart and strength.

Thus, memorizing God's Word helps us overcome sin and to know Him more intimately. Here are 6 more benefits:

1. It is a help in Bible study.
2. It is a help in soul winning. Example: It is a dark night and you are riding with someone in a car and talking about the Lord. You could not do this unless you have memorized Scripture.
3. It helps us to make daily decisions in life.
4. Those we seek to help will have confidence in us.
5. It is a benefit in preaching.
6. It develops your memory.

MEDITATION

When we combine meditation with the other methods of intake of God's Word, rich blessings will follow. With the thumb we grasp firmly whatever we hold. So we hear and meditate on what we hear; we read and meditate on what we have read, etc. Meditating on God's word is like a cow chewing the cud. Through meditation we take in spiritual food for our spirits.

How to meditate:

1. Memorize a short portion of Scripture (for example: Matthew 4:4). "Man does not live on bread alone...."
2. Quote this passage as a prayer: "Lord, I live not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Your mouth."
3. Personalize it by inserting your name in it: "Louis does not live on break alone...."
4. Repeat it several times, emphasizing different words in the passage:

• "Man does not live on bread alone...." (all men)
• "Man does not live on bread alone...." (absolutely does not)
• "Man does not live on bread alone...." (physical vs. spiritual life)

God commands His blessing (Psalms 1:2,3; Joshua 1:8) on the person who meditates on His Word day and night.  When we meditate on His Word, we abide in His Word and the Lord promises to make our lives fruitful (John 15:7,8). So hearing, reading, studying, and memorizing, plus meditation, are the means whereby we can abide in Christ through His Word.

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