Why memorize the Bible?

Why Memorize the Bible?*

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11

Memorization works on our hearts to instill faith, cultivate Christ-like character, fight temptation, and enhance prayer and worship. Scripture mentions the following encouragements for memorizing.

Memorizing...

• Is one of the most effective ways to “meditate” on the Word of God “day and night” (Joshua 1:8).
• Helps us treasure God’s Word in our hearts that we might not sin against the Lord (Psalm 119:11).
• Allows us to meditate on the Lord in the “watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6) so that we can fix our eyes on your ways (Psalm 119:15).
• Helps us in evangelism, making the Word of truth readily available to build our own and others’ faith since “faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

SOMA's Bible Memory Program?

SOMA has adopted the Fighter Verse program that was developed by Bethlehem Baptist Church. Our conviction is that Bible memory emphasis should be a church-wide initiative among all age groups for many reasons. Here are five of them:

1. Bible memorization has value for young and old alike. Adults as well as children need to be encouraged to memorize the Bible.
2. Only emphasizing Bible memorization in children’s ministry sends a not-so-subtle message to our children that memorizing the Bible is for kids but not for grown-ups.
3. Few things motivate children to memorize more than when they hear grown-ups quoting from memory the same texts they are memorizing.
4. The example of grown-ups ministering to each other with the memorized Word encourages children to use the Word they are memorizing.
5. When the whole church body memorizes the same passage, we encourage one another as the verse is reinforced in our ministry to each other and in prayer.

Fighter Verses are memory verses specifically chosen to help believers “fight the fight of faith.” Practically, they are verses we want our people to remember when they are facing a trial (illness, dying, suffering, etc.), temptation, or battling to strengthen or maintain their faith. SOMA is dedicated to memorizing a Fighter Verse passage each week because memorizing together adds accountability and encouragement. This is a five-year program and we are starting with "set 3".

In addition, a secondary purpose is to instill in children and adults the habit of Bible memory in the hope that after the Fighter Verses are mastered, they would go on to memorize their own selection of verses or passages.

Where to Find the Weekly Fighter Verse

• On the Scripture Memory page of this Web site
• At fighterverses.com
• In the church bulletin
• On the Fighter Verse bookmark (available at the Resource Table on Sundays)
• With the Fighter Verse app for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch
• With the Fighter Verse app for Android

Are Memory Verses Taught in Sunday School?

The Pre K-1st Graders are memorizing "Foundational Verses" (scriptural foundation of basic Biblical truths that will pave the way for faith response, and to establish the habit of hiding God’s Word in the heart). The older kids in our 2nd-5th grade class will be encouraged to memorzie the Fighter Verses as well as other veres that connecte specifically to their lessons.

Practical suggestions for parents in helping children memorize and apply scripture are given in How to Use the Fighter Verses in Instruction (PDF).

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* This page/post is adapted from Bethlehem Baptist Church and their explanation of why they encourage Bible Memory.