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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 Seven

To Do:

Follow-Up

We have learned that salvation is instantaneous when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. We are born into God's family. However, spiritual growth is a slow and long process. We do not become spiritually mature overnight.

Leading someone to a decision is 5%. Follow-up on the decision is 95%. Just as babies require a mother's loving care or a father's encouragement for physical growth (1 Thessalonians 2:7,11,12), so spiritual babes need nurture and instruction for spiritual growth. In the Bible we see 2 KINDS of follow-up:

1. PASTORAL--In church, where we have fellowship with other believers, we receive spiritual food and exhortation. Jesus told Peter, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Peter in turn told the church leaders to be shepherds of God's flock under their care (1 Peter 5:1-4).
2. PERSONAL--People come to Christ one by one; and they need individual, personalized care just as babies do. Paul instructed Timothy personally (2 Timothy 2:2), as well as other individuals like Titus (Titus 1:4).

We can lead a soul to Christ in 20 minutes to a couple of hours, but it takes from 6 months to several years to bring him to spiritual maturity. An ostrich does not take care of its young (Job 39:13-18), but we are responsible to take care of our babes in Christ.

Follow-up is done through people, and there are 4 METHODS of follow-up:

1. PEN--Paul wrote follow-up letters to individuals like Timothy and Titus, as well as groups of believers like the Romans and the Ephesians.
2. PRAYER--Paul prayed specific requests for those he followed-up (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13), not just general prayers that God would bless them. We need to pray by name, as each babe is important to God.
3. PERSONAL CONTACT--Paul prayed that he could visit the Roman believers and impart spiritual strength to them (Romans 1:11). He not only gave the gospel to the Thessalonians, but he shared his life with them because they were dear to him (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
4. PROXY--When Paul couldn't visit the Colossian believers, he sent Tychicus to help them (Colossians 4:7-8). Likewise, he sent Timothy to the Philippians (Philippians 2:19-21) and the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:17).

Assurances

As a new believer you need to be taught how to read the Bible and pray. As God's child, you have become a special target of Satan's attacks. When Jesus was tempted, he defeated Satan each time by quoting Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). You can be equipped for your first encounters with the enemy by learning to memorize Bible verses. The memorized Word can become like a shield of faith and a sword (Ephesians 6:16,17).

Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators organization, developed a follow-up tool called "Bible Rations." It was a small packet that contained 4 key verses on assurance needed by a new believer.

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

One of Satan's first attacks on new Christians is to raise doubts about their salvation. Feelings are changeable, so we can't rely on them for assurance regarding our relationship with God. However, if doubts come to a believer who has memorized John 5:24, he will be assured through the verse that he has eternal life on the basis of God's promise in Scripture, which is sure.

ASSURANCE OF VICTORY

Sometimes Satan attacks the new believer when he is weak and has trouble standing against some besetting sin. Again the child of God needs to learn to rely on Scripture. Memorizing 1Corinthians 10:13 will help him meet this attack of Satan and gain victory over sin.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Sometimes we miss the "way of escape" and sin against God. Does failure mean that we are no longer a child of God? No, parents still love their child even though he disobeys them. In 1John 1:9, God promises full forgiveness when we name that sin and confess it to Him. He also cleanses us.

ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER

A spiritual babe needs to learn that he can speak directly to his Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. He can confidently enter God's presence and talk to Him about everything that affects his life (Philippians 4:6). In memory verse John 16:24, Jesus gives us the assurance that He will answer our prayers.

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