Five Minutes to Change Your Life--The Discipline of Scripture Memory (Part 1)

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.—Psalm 1:1-2

If you could do one thing for just five minutes a day that can change the trajectory and quality of your whole life, would you do it?

Of course! No brainer.

But if that one thing was Scripture memory, how many of us would balk?

[I raise my hand.]

Yet how many of us, though we believe we are born-again Christians, still live small lives like orphans instead of royalty? Persist in sin instead of becoming more holy? Feel defeated instead of victorious?

There is a vast disconnect for many of us between what we know and how we live. We say we believe but live X-rated, cynical, defeated lives. Friend, this should not be.

What if Scripture memory might be the key to flipping the switch and setting us on a new course of faithful living that leads to life?

What if this is the way to connect the dots? Wouldn’t it be worth our consideration? I think so.

Yes, But…

“I’m too old.”

“I don’t have time.”

“It’s unnecessary.”

“It’s boring.”

Have you used any of these excuses?

[Again, I raise my hand.]

As I age, I find myself forgetting things. A lot.

And admittedly, Scripture memory is not going to help you balance your checkbook, finish your homework, or check off your to-do’s. When life is busy, it’s easy to let this one slide.

After all, with such easy access to Scripture, why do we need to? Most of us can just pick up our phones and get there in seconds.

However, if we push a little deeper, let’s be honest. The repetition required feels rote and we value authenticity nowadays. For others, the discipline required is too much to ask.

I get it too. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to explore this topic because I need the shift in perspective as well. I hope you’ll join me.

So what’s the biggest reason to memorize Scripture?

Scripture Memory Shapes Our Thinking and Character

One of the key reasons is that if we want to live like true believers, we need to think like one. Scripture memory provides a biblical lens that slowly works your way into who you are and how you live.

It is, however, what Stephen Covey calls a “quadrant 2” activity: important, but not urgent. We know it’s value but because our life doesn’t depend on it, we just don’t do it.

Or does it?

Living on a Starvation Diet

My guess is that if our lives depended on how much of God’s Word we have memorized, most of us would starve. How often do we function only a subsistence diet of a handful of Scriptures when there is a banquet laid before us?

So often, the words we speak to ourselves throughout the day are not words of life or hope. We focus on our weaknesses and live small. We’re blind to the blessings and complain. We only see the bleakness of the situation and despair. We fail to believe God is in the future so we fear.

But if memorizing God’s Word is something that can help us keep God’s story before us so we can live lives of joyfully in our full identity in Christ, wouldn’t that be worth it?

Establishing this framework does admittedly take time. Like preparing healthy meals or making time to work out strengthens us physically to do the work God gives us, so meditating on and taking in God’s Word to the point of memorizing it will require an investment.

But the benefits outweigh the cost. It also transforms our character as it works its way into our decisions in real time. Having it in your head allows you to personalize it in the moment.

When we have God’s Word in our minds it is like having a constant source of life-giving, life-sustaining nutrients running through our veins at a moment’s notice for any and every situation.

But I’m Too Old For This!

For those of us who argue you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, experts from Harvard learning new things and repeating them is one of the best ways to counteract the aging we all undergo. Why not learn and memorize Scripture? It does your body good—and your brain is part of your body!

Think about it: what do you want to have on your mind on your deathbed? Regret? Fear? Self-satisfaction that I lived a good life and hopefully it will be enough to get into heaven?

Or the confidence that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me?” (Ps. 23:4)

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Just Think About It

Friend, if you’re still skeptical, think about it. I understand. I’ll be back next week with a few more reasons.