Memorizing the Bible

You know those movies that you grow up with that even years upon years later, you can still quote?  I guess I never realized how much I watched some of these movies when I was younger.  I put Aladdin in today and my girls sat there amused and enthralled.  I found myself able to say the entire movie- every line to the movie with it.  I have been that way with some of my kids’ favorites like Shrek, 1-4, but we hardly ever watch Aladdin. 

It goes to show, things that we are exposed to when we are younger really stick with us.  And repetition really does help.  I was exposed to a lot of Bible stories as a child.  Every Sunday in Sunday school, my parents were very particular to teach me from the Bible and inform me of the specific things that happened.  I am able to draw upon those Bible stories in my every day life. 

The other day when we were visiting with some friends, we were discussing first words and the first time that we recall cussing.  How the reaction of the parents really influenced us in our futures.  Things like that stay with kids.  I wish that I would have studied the Bible more and memorized more scripture as a child.  I wish that I had put my heart and soul into memorizing scripture and where things were in the Bible.  I would love to go to seminary just to gain the knowledge that I crave about Christianity and the Bible. 

If we expose ourselves to the Bible daily, and really study and strive to learn it – then we are able to pull upon those verses when needed.  Recently I was in a situation where someone was asked if the scriptures were followed to come to the conclusion.  I wish that I could have drawn upon my knowledge of scripture and asked specific questions.  Instead I was left without knowledge of what I wanted to ask leaving me with even more questions after. 

So- the Bible tells us to hide His word in our hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in us richly… Unfortunately, if it wasn’t for the concordance, I couldn’t tell you where either of these verses are found, although I know them, I have never really been able to memorize the GPS (God’s Positioning System) of the Bible. 

But thanks to the internet and concordance:

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You richly – Colossians 3:16

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.  – Psalms 119:11

We are told that we need to memorize scripture.  So therefore – I think that I am going to start doing a scripture a day- or maybe a week. 

There is a great program that our church is starting called AWANA – it helps kids learn scripture every week.  I have to think of something that helps me and motivates me to learn and memorize scripture.  This blog helps me do my devotions every day, and keeps me accountable, now I need to figure out how to stay accountable to memorizing scripture.  How do you guys stay accountable?