Welcome to Weekly Topic Saturdays!
Hello all, I pray that your week was filled with joy and love. Welcome back to those who have been with me here at A Golden Dream. For my first-timers, a great big hello there, if you haven't already please check out my previous posts when you get a chance.
Please don't hesitate to join the conversation, there are no right or wrong answers or questions. I'm not proclaiming to know everything, I am simply just discussing and picking topics on things that I personally have gone through and that I know would help someone.
By show of comments, how many of my Golden Dreamers know the best way to read, and learn scripture? This question was one that I asked myself when I first started this journey because I didn’t know where to even begin or what to do. If you are in that boat, no worries, we’re a family, I got you!
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Timothy 2:15
Scripture is something that can be difficult to understand and memorize if you don’t have the right system to do it. Let’s first start with the basics. The first thing you should know is that it is not going to be enough just to memorize the scripture, you are going to have to meditate on the scripture and then apply it to your life so that when the right moment arises you can be able to know which scripture to use without a second thought. In real world situations we will not have the time to pull the whole bible out to find a scripture you have to know in your heart. But understanding and applying scriptures is for another lesson. Let’s first tackle memorizing them.
Y’all still with me!?!
These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16
Think back to when you were in school studying for a test or an important exam. What kind of learner were you? How were you able to retain all of the information for that exam? Personally, I am a visual and kinesthetic learner. I learn better when I am jumping in and working hands on and when I can visually see what I am doing by using various colors. No two people are the same, you may be an auditory learner that learns better just by listening. There is not a right or wrong way to learn so long as you are retaining the information.
My best friend took theatre classes while we were in college and there were many times where she would be memorizing entire scripts for various plays. Her method of memorization was to recite the lines over and over again by herself and then write them out for about an hour or two and she would have them memorized. Then she would come to me and ask to run lines with her off book to see if she truly knew them before putting the emotion and the feeling behind them that the acting would require. Memorizing the bible is the same way. Learning the scriptures, and being able to call them out is a great start, the next step after that would be putting the emotion and the understanding behind them so that it is alive within you daily.
Healthy Study Habits:
1. Before Reading Anything, Say a Prayer
Saying a quick prayer before and after reading the bible is one great asset in reading and understanding the Word of God. God is the author and creator and you are reading His great masterpiece. So why not connect with him for clarity in understanding his work? Asking God for wisdom, clarity, understanding, and most importantly correction so that we can align ourselves with his Word.
2. Find a Study Partner to Recite Scripture
Don’t underestimate the power of teamwork. Working together with friends can make learning the bible fun and exciting especially when each person can bring a new perspective!
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them
Matthew 18:20
3. Develop a Schedule Dedicated to Reading and Studying the Bible
It's essential to carve out time for anything we do and love. So why not do the same when reading the bible? My personal goal is to wake up early enough to get a quick bible study lesson before going to work. That way I can meditate on the Word of the day, all day. Setting goals like this is a great way to get the Word in you. When do you study the Word?
4. Use Color and Highlight as a Way to Easily Remember
Using color really helps me with remembering important information. So I use it also with Reading the Word of God. Keeping a spiritual journal or notebook helps a great deal when studying and reading large passages that contain a lot of information. Writing down your thoughts and perspective on what happened in the passages in your own words is a great learning tool for remembering scriptures as well.
5. Find a Bible WorkBook to Work Out Of
Workbooks are a great help because it makes you become more involved in the bible. Y’all, reading scripture is contagious, once you start, it is hard to stop. The workbooks provide tons of thought provoking questions, like this blog, that make you dive deeper into the scripture and help you with memorizing them.
6. Study With Notecards or Flashcards!
7. Ask Questions!
No one is going to judge you for having questions about what you are reading. Asking questions will help you gain a better understanding of what you are reading. Ask your pastor for help, that is what they are there for. You can also pray for God to give you clarity each time before you dive into the bible.
8. Grab Different Versions!
Having different versions of the bible will expose you to the different translations. There are some versions that are easier to read than others, find the version that works for you. I encourage you to have at least two different versions because in some cases when you read a scripture from a different version it can give you a new perspective. I have the King James Version and the Modern English Version.
Benefits of Memorizing Scripture
1. Gives You a Solid Foundation In Faith
When you have a solid foundation it becomes your nesting ground to plant seeds from your starting point. From your foundation there’s nothing more to do then to build up and out. Developing your foundation begins to develop your faith, and as we already discussed in Faith Is A Verb, it can move mountains once activated in the right environment.
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7
2. Navigating Decision Making
When you have the bible in your heart and mind, decision making will come a little easier. You're not leaning on your own knowledge and decisions but more so what the scripture says when facing trials and tribulations of life. Staying grounded in the Word of God will give you a higher level of discernment when making decisions big or small.
3. Combating Your Adversary (aka the Devil, Satan, Lucifer, Father of Lies, Master Manipulator )
We all should know by now that the enemy is not on our side at all. He comes to lie, steal, kill, and destroy. One of the devil's tactics is being a master manipulator and letting you fall into self doubt and ultimately make you turn against God. The Devil is a liar and will do anything to steal your soul and light from you. Without a steady foundation the devil doesn’t have to work as hard. Don’t make his job any easier, he is already nervous that you will tap into the calling that God has over your life. What scares the Devil the most is your anointing because he knows how powerful it can be if used properly.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
Ephesians 6: 11-18
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
4. Preparing For Holy Clapbacks
When you are in a mood that you cannot shake and need encouragement to keep going, having the Word in your heart is the best medicine. Saying a scripture over and over again until you believe for yourself is all you need. When you're in a season in your life that looks like you won’t make it out, having Holy Clap Backs ready is the way to go.
When your situation says there’s no way out, you recite John 14:6, Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. When people say you are weak and won't amount to anything you say, Isaiah 40:31 tells me that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength and Romans 8:37 also tells me that I'm more than a conquer.
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
Matthew 16:23
Questions To Consider:
1. What type of learner are you?
2.Have you tried any of these memorization tips before? Have they worked? Why or why not?
3. What has helped you learn scripture memorization before? Any advice to beginners?
4. How do you study the word?
5. Do you pray for clarity before diving into the bible? Why or why not?
6. Do you have a favorite scripture that you have memorized? If so, what is it?
7. Do you read the bible like you should?
8. When was the last time you read the bible?
With Love, remember that each and everyone of us needs to spend time in the bible everyday learning, meditating, and reading. Before we can start applying the scripture to our daily life we have to first know the scripture and have it memorized in our hearts. Memorizing is an important element that many skip. It is not enough just to read the bible and it is not enough to just memorize the scriptures, you have to have both elements for it to be effective.
~Just Breathe...A Golden Dream~
Amen.