In 2025, we are going to memorize Scripture together! This year we read the Bible together following the Robert Murray M’Cheyne plan. The Christian Education Committee felt a natural next step would be to commit ourselves to hiding God’s word in our hearts (Ps. 119:11). If you’ve never attempted Scripture memory before, or think in our current age with smartphones at the ready Scripture memory is superfluous, I hope the reasons below will motivate you to see the value of having God’s word in your heart and mind.

Sustaining Words – In John 6, Jesus tells his followers not to work for food that perishes but “for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27). Jesus continues to reference eternal food until the people desire it so much they cry out, “Lord, always give us this bread” (John 6:33). The Lord responds “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Jesus is the bread of life that fills up our hearts, souls, and minds with the glory of God. Before Jesus, Moses instructed the people that they do not live by bread alone but, “by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3).

Fighting Words – Every day is a battle against sin. While on this side of heaven, we will wrestle with the remaining corruption of our flesh. When temptation springs up in your life, how do you fight it? When your heart condemns you, how will you silence it? When depression and exhaustion seem ready to overwhelm you, how will you fight for rest? Having the Word memorized will give you fighting words against sin. Is there a sin you are neglecting or growing apathetic towards? Remember Paul’s words in Romans 8:13, “For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Are you wracked with guilt over a sin? Punch back with Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”