I was inspired at a seminar in Rochester Hills last year. The subject was preaching using story telling. The main idea was to learn the scriptures by heart and sharing them dramatically instead of just reading them.
There is so much power in speaking the scriptures from the heart! So, I set a goal of learning by heart the letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus. I’ve never done anything like this before. It has been demanding and yet extremely rewarding. There are life situations which scripture now comes immediately to mind that applies to that situation.
I now have chapters 1-3 in heart. I’ve a start on chapter 4. I am well on my way of completing my goal. Learning scripture by heart has all the same challenges of training physically. You can come up with all types of excuses as to why not excercise. I’ve found some of the best times to practice are driving in the car, mowing the lawn, riding in airplanes, etc.
Why not try it yourself? Pick a chapter, a psalm, etc. and put that scripture in your heart. I’d love to hear back from you on how it has changed your life.
11 responses so far ↓
Raivynn // July 18, 2007 at 3:45 pm
When I was in Awanas (many moons ago), one of the main focuses, and badge earnings, was to memorize scripture. Unfortunately I’ve not retained very much of the word for word, but the gist, the meaning of those words still resonate in my mind and heart.
so, even if you have bad memory retention, learning scripture by heart is still worthwhile. You may know the verses verbatim, but you’ll learn what God wants you to learn.
pastorhawkins // July 18, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Great point Raivynn!
Nameless, Faceless Love // July 20, 2007 at 1:06 am
This is so true, Pastor.
Some of my work is at a Christ-centered recovery house for men. From the day I first arrived and began having weekly meetings with the residents, many of whom were not yet Christians, I felt strongly that I was to use this approach to sharing God’s Word. And so I set out to - while having a Bible with me in case I needed to specifically point out a verse while answering a resident’s question - primarily share God’s Word through telling the stories it told.
The reaction took me aback. The men - believers and especially unbelievers - were riveted by the stories I was sharing, and immediately wanted to search in the Bible to read that what I was saying was actually there. It’s like they were famished and had finally found Bread.
It is good that you share this with your personal endorsement, Pastor. Many of us within the faith sometimes shy away from what we perceive to be watered-down presentations of God’s Word while forgetting that this is the primary way in which our Lord shared with unbelievers. He told the story, and the unbelievers got it. The disciples were the same as many of us in the faith today, though, it seems. They seem to have needed a “de-briefing” around the campfire to get the meaning of many of those same stories.
Thanks again for sharing, Pator.
sam // July 23, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I am planning to start having my kids memorize scripture as well, it’s not just for adults. What is a good age to start? I still remember my very first scripture verse verbatim, but I have learned many others by heart, and they have fallen out of my memory. my phylactory is shrinking, LOL.
beartracks // July 23, 2007 at 10:25 pm
How is learning the scriptures by heart different from memorizing scripture?
Tom // July 26, 2007 at 2:09 am
Excellent question Beartracks! One can memorize scripture and recite them back, but they have not gotten into the heart, the soul. I don’t just want to be able to recite the book of Ephesians, or for that matter and scripture, but I want to capture in my heart the Spirit of the word of God. That it will my permeate my very being. That as I speak scripture in story form….I will be speaking the very word, emotion, and power of the word of God. The psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart…” ps. 119:11
beartracks // July 26, 2007 at 2:50 am
But what is learning the scriptures by heart? How does one learning the scriptures by heart?
Tom // July 26, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I believe the secret is meditation. To repeat over and over, but to ponder and consider what is being said and to implement those scriptures into ones life. The process of learning by heart is not just reciting but inviting the word deep into your soul. This is how one learns the scriptures by heart.
beartracks // July 27, 2007 at 1:13 am
Thanks for clarifying.
Raivynn // July 27, 2007 at 3:21 pm
My defination of learning Scripture by heart is slightly different. I agree that pondering and connsidering what you you’ve read is vital, and that inviting the Word deep into your soul is equally as important. But prayer must also go along with this. Beseeching God to give you a deeper understanding of what He is trying to say, through the Holy Spirit, is a sure-fire way to learning it by heart.
Using references to understand His Word is helpful, especially if you cannot read the original Hebrew and Greek. Rote memorization is also good to instill the actual words into your mind. But, to instill it into your heart, you must pay very close attention to that small, still Voice speaking to you as you think upon His Word.
Tom3 // July 28, 2007 at 1:59 am
Well said Raivynn!
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