“I want to memorize Scripture, but I just don’t know where to start.”  Have you ever thought that before?  I hear it frequently, so here are a couple answers to some common questions about memorizing Scripture.

“What should I memorize?”  We’re trying to help families learn Scripture together by preparing the resources to do so.  Here was our 2011 list  which focused on the doctrines of Scripture.  In 2012, the Family Worship will meditate on the salvation and the Christian walk.

“How can I memorize Scripture?” I’m sure there are lots of tools and tricks for memorizing, but the simple answer is this: just do it.  Read out loud over and over again. Practice in the car, the shower, at work.  Learn it with your family.  And don’t give up because it’s not rocket science.  Here’s a great little article about Scripture memory : “The Easiest Way to Memorize the Bible”  

“What version should I use?”  While we rejoice in the clarity and beauty of multiple Bible translations, Willow Creek has chosen to use the English Standard Version (ESV) for preaching and teaching.  It is trustworthy, readable, and will be around for long time.  If you don’t have a Bible version you have been using, then we recommend the ESV.

Scripture Memory 2012

Salvation:  Ephesians 1:3-4, Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 2:9, John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8-9

Security:  John 10:28-30, Romans 8:30

the Spirit: Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:30

Love:  John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 1:22-23

Light: 1 John 1:5; 1 John 1:9; Colossians 3:13

Humility:  James 4:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Walk in Good Works: Matthew 5:16

Jesus Messiah | Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves | Copyright: 2008 Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) | Amazon Link

By Faith Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend | Copyright 2009 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Gettymusic (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)  Buy it on Amazon

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder | Words by John Newton | Music by Laura Taylor | Amazon Link

How Great is Our God Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves  (Copyright 2004 worshiptogether.com songs Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) |  Amazon Link

No, I didn’t make a mistake.  I really do mean 2011.  I just wanted to highlight family worship from last year.  We desire to assist families, especially fathers, lead their families in by reading and discussing Scripture, praying and memorizing Scripture.  So each week for the last few years we’ve published a family worship schedule in the bulletin.   It’s nothing profound or deep or difficult.  We simply have five categories: Read, Discuss, Learn, Praise, and Pray (As a side note, this week marks the completion of reading the entire New Testament.  Hurray!).

Under “Learn” we add a new verse every couple of weeks.  At first glance, one may wonder what order there is to the Scripture memory verses; Exodus 15:11 one week, John 1:1 the next.  However, the verses weren’t randomly chosen.  They followed a theme and last year the theme was Bible doctrine.  We picked two or three key verses from each of the Bible doctrines.   If you’re interested to see all the verses from last year, here they are.  Check back in a few days for the complete 2012 list.

2011 Scripture Memory Verses

Bible: 2 Timothy 3:16

God: Revelation 4:11; Exodus 15:11

Jesus: John 1:1; John 1:14

Holy Spirit: Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 12:13

Angels: 1 Peter 5:8

Sin: Ephesians 2:1-2; Romans 3:23

Salvation: John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:1

Church:  Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:19

End Times: Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 3:2

For a great article on Family Worship, click here.