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This is part 3 in a 12 part Series on D.I.S.C.I.P.L.E.S.H.I.P. - Twelve Tips to help you become a more effective discipler of children.

Scripture Memory is out of style these days. Perhaps it is because its hard and we are a culture that likes everything easy. Maybe we are just too busy to memorize. Some even try to discard it as rote repitition that is considered less effective than comprehension and perhaps even harmful. Many today contend that scripture memory is not effective because it doesn’t encourage thinking and therefore doesn’t impact the heart.

I agree! I agree that if ALL we did was rote memory, we’d be bad off! But to dismiss scripture memory on the basis that if ALL we did was rote memory is to push a beneficial spiritual discipline to its extreme and then reject it as though the extreme is all it offers.

Let me suggest three reasons I believe Scripture Memory is essential to discipleship:

1) Let’s start with the biblical basis of scripture memory. (source)

• Jesus knew the word of God and was able to drive away Satan when tempted. MT 4:1-11
• King David clearly saw that knowing the word of God was the key to purity. PS 119:9-11
• Paul says that the word is a sword in your amour against the devil’s schemes. EP 6:13-18
• God’s word in your heart keeps your feet from slipping. Ps 37:28-31

Scripture is FILLED with the benefits of God’s Word and value of knowing it deeply. Did you know that in the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, every single one of the 176 verses is about God’s Word? That ought to tell us something!

2) I can also offer personal experience. As a child, I memorized a LOT of scripture. Did I understand it all? Of course not. But it gave to such a broad and rich understanding of scripture that deepened as I got older. I have memorized hundreds of verses, many chapters and two books of the Bible and can personally attest to the way God uses that knowledge to help me walk with Him, understand His Word, prepare to teach, witness and just know how to think and reflect on God. It impacts my prayers constantly. I can’t tell you how many times when praying the Word of God just flows and helps me express my love for God and awe at who He is.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

I Chronicles 29:11

3) Lastly, I’d like to offer an explanation that I often use when people are critical of scripture memory or try to explain it away as a waste of time, or as something only for children, or even pointless for kids. I call it “The Alphabet Argument.”

I have a two year old son who is learning the alphabet. He is learning to recognize and say the letters of the alphabet. Do they have much meaning to him? No. Does he truly understand what they are and how they are to be used? Of course not. Should I not have him memorize the letters until he can truly appreciate them, understand them, and use them properly? Absolutely not! I would actually stunt his mental growth and handicap his future use of the English language and hinder his ability to creatively express himself in our language. So he learned meaningless LETTERS for now. But soon that knowledge will help him recognize and use WORDS. Those words, before I know it, will enable him to read SENTENCES and then (and I can’t wait!) he will be able to CREATE HIS OWN stories.

QUESTION: If I asked you to close your eyes and tell me the LETTERS I have been using, could you? No. You are not reading “letters.” You aren’t even reading “words” or “sentences.” You are reading THOUGHTS and the sentences, words and letters are just the vehicle to communicate them to you.

The SAME is true of God’s Word!

God’s Word is alive and active! (recognize the verse?) God’s word is not the sum of sentences, words or letters - it is the Power of God! But it is communicated via words.

You see? When kids (or adults!) memorize scripture - they are getting the “spiritual alphabet” by which they will form broader spiritual thoughts and ideas. If I only taught my little boy half of the alphabet - imagine the impact it would have on him? He needs all the letters! Imagine the impact when you only know a little of the Bible from memory? You are limited and will be spiritually frustrated just as my little boy would be if he didn’t first learn the alphabet.

All this to say - you do your disciples a disservice if you don’t lead them and encourage them to memorize scripture. Should it all be rote memory? Of course not. Try to explain and help them understand, but ultimately the Holy Spirit will do that, and a lot better than you ever could.

Scripture memory ought to be a regular part of your spiritual journey and a vital part of your discipling process. Years later these kids will be thankful to you, just as I am to Helen Reed, Margret Bramble, Charlie Hann and the other adults in my childhood who challenged and encouraged me to memorize God’s Word!

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