Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Information

Scripture Memorization Commanded

The Benefits of Scripture Memorization

Overcoming Excuses for Not Memorizing

Memorizing Books Is Better Than Memorizing Individual Verses

Making the Commitment Before God

Choosing Your First Book

Surveying the Terrain

Daily Procedures

Long-Term Retention and/or Moving On to Other Books

Memorizing Long Books & Memorizing Faster

Also by Andrew M. Davis

Contact Information

An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture

© 2014 Dr. Andrew M. Davis

All rights reserved

eISBN: 978-1-62020-379-8

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Scripture Memorization Commanded

Welcome to the rich and challenging journey of extended memorization of Scripture! You are about to embark on one of the most searching and rewarding exercises of spiritual and mental labor anyone could ever attempt: the memorizing of whole chapters and books of the Bible. This effort will challenge you to the depths of your being. Not simply because memorizing is hard work (it is), but because the verses themselves will search your souls with the light of God’s perfect Word. Some days memorizing is harder than others, and it gets harder as you get older and busier. But the rewards of knowledge of God’s Word and of growing intimacy with Christ will make all your labor in the face of these challenges worthwhile.

As you face the challenges of extended memorization, it is good to know whether God is commanding you to do this. Scripture is very clear that God does not want us to innovate when it comes to pleasing Him: He wants simple obedience. “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Now the incredible beauty of the Christian life is that we learn that the Lord will enable us to keep all His commands by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel 36:27 promises that God will put His Spirit in us and move us to follow His commands and be careful to keep His laws. If this is so, the amazing power of the New Covenant in Christ is that God’s commands become promises of what He will do in our lives by His Spirit.

So, has God commanded us to memorize Scripture? Yes, I believe He has in many places, and that Scripture encourages memorization in other places. Let’s look at some key passages.

In John 15, Jesus likens Himself to a vine and believers as branches that must abide (or live, dwell, remain) in Him in order to stay alive and be ...