Day 9 | Bible Reading/Memorization 1
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (CSB) “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house, and when you walk along the road, and when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.”
OBSERVATION
Have you ever thought to yourself that memorizing scripture is only for the pastor, minister or missionary? Or that reading your bible is necessary to be a Christian? God calls and commands each of us to remember his Word. It’s easier as a young person to memorize scripture. That’s why in kids church a kid’s pastor will have weekly or monthly memory verses for them to practice and memorize at home. Reading your Bible and memorizing scripture go together. Being fed regularly by God’s Word allows you to grow in your relationship with Him and bear His fruit. Memorization of his Word helps us to keep it in the forefront of our minds. We may have the opportunity to share about God with someone and not remember the scripture or even where it’s found but memorization will help us in being good witnesses of Christ to those around us. Memorization can help us fight against sin. Knowing what God says about you and what he expects from you will help you fight the lies of the enemy. Memorizing scripture helps us to have a deeper love for God and dilutes our love for worldliness. The more you draw near to God, the less pull the world will have on you. I’ve learned that it’s not always about how much of the Bible you read in a year or even, how much you read daily. Sometimes it’s important to focus on one scripture or a passage of scripture to really understand what God is speaking and taking the time to let His Word resonate in your heart. If we’re going through something difficult and needing God’s Word to cover us and lift us up, we need to find a scripture that aligns with our circumstance and start declaring it daily over our life. And, at some point, it will go from reading it from the pages on our bible to quoting it.
APPLICATION
Take time to read and memorize a scripture or passage of scripture. Don’t rush through your reading to check off a “chore.” Don’t set too high expectations for yourself. Just start somewhere small and learn more about who God is. As you continue to grow, start reading more of His Word daily. Tell your youth pastor, pastor or leader the scripture or passage you have been studying and memorizing.