“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The Bible on your shelf, or on your bedside table or even in your pocket will not result in you knowing God better. We need to allow his word to sink deep into our heart and soul. Nothing can replace bible memory for doing what bible memory is designed to do in forging the connection between our God’s word, our brain, our heart.
It is the Holy Spirit who awakens life and faith and transformation. That is His work and he does it though his word! We are created with a brain, with consciousness, a will, emotions and thoughts. If Christ is to be magnified through his word there needs to be a connection between these words and our brain and then our will and heart. God’s word exhorts us to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night because this is how connection is established. This connection between God’s word and your brain and its effect on your will and heart will be how you are transformed through Jesus. When we memorise scripture, the connection will be more constant, more deep and more transforming.
Memorising scripture is not something out of reach! One verse, written out, put somewhere prominent and spoken aloud over and over is achievable. If you do this once a month, in 12 months, you will have memorised 12 verses. The key is repetition over time. If you have never done this before, start with John 3:16.
If you want to memorise more verses and even chapters, that is not out of reach either and is super profitable for your spiritual health.
Here’s a handy Scripture Memorisation guide to get you started. (Adapted from ‘An Approach to Extended Scripture Memorisation,’ by Dr. Andrew Davis.)