Maybe you haven't noticed. It's ok if you haven't. I subscribe to several blogs, and I find myself catching up in "chunks". You may do the same thing and not have noticed that I haven't been writing my self-determined 3 times a week.
I've been dry and in the unusual place of not having much to say. Ha!
But I'm feeling revved up this morning, and it's all because of a new Bible study. For years I was involved in BSF which kept me in a structured Bible study mode. And then God gave me a break from structure which was actually important for me. As a rebel-rule follower, I sometimes mistake structure for true intimacy. God was using lack of structure to pour love and grace into me. He was forcing me to seek His face minus the external structure, and it was good.
But recently I've been missing the "digging in" that a guided Bible study provides, and God has provided just the right thing at just the right time.
My women's Life Group at church is starting Beth Moore's study of James. I couldn't be more thrilled! I haven't done one of Beth's studies in years, and her passion reignited mine this morning.
So my confession is that I've let my passion wane, but I also want to confess that I'm afraid. There's this huge part of me that wants to go all the way with this study and memorize the book of James. However, memorization is the big missing piece in my spiritual walk. Memorizing is very difficult for me, and I haven't invested the hard work required to do it. There's this yearning in me, though, to leap over the hurdle.
Here's the plea part of the post...Have any of you been memorizing James? Please, please share what works for you. I'd love to hear all your methods and hints!
Monday, March 5, 2012
A Confession and a Plea
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I will be finishing the James study (by Beth) this Wednesday. I was one that raised my hand to memorize the book. I have to admit - it's a challenge. I'm no where near done memorizing the whole book! What helps me is that I need to write them on index cards and keep them handy. Keep going over and over and over....
I hope it works for you! You will be SO BLESSED by James. Really great study!
I struggle with this too, Amy.
And scripture memorization is so important in our walks with the Lord, isn't it?
I look forward to checking back here - to see what other readers say about memorizing. I need all the help I can get.
Until then, be encouraged knowing that I just said a prayer for both of us - that The Spirit would help us remember the things we study. He is faithful!
- Kate :)
Did you watch the video where Beth talks about memorizing? She gave some helpful hints. I have printed and laminated a chapter at a time. Just at one verse at a time and keep going over and over and over. I haven't finished well actually said I was on the 5 year plan. LOL!
I asked to share what my sweet friend Pam wrote to me, and she agreed. Here's her advice:
Here is what I have learned about scripture memorization - and the Lord knows that I am not the final authority or "know it all".
Step 1. The Holy Spirit makes a certain passage alive - like a fire in my heart. Then it is as if
the Spirit is saying, "Pam, I want you to memorize this because there are things that I want to teach you." So I have my assignment, and with the Spirit's help, I dig in.
I must say, that if I just randomly pick a passage because I like it, then I really struggle with the memorization and don't see it through. So step #1
is vital for me.
Step 2. Forget all of the little handy dandy tools and gimmicks to help you memorize. It will just use up the time that you could have spent memorizing. I just use the Bible. No cards - just the Holy Spirit, prayer and the Bible.
Step 3. Repetition, repetition, repetition. This is the meditation part. When I think of meditation I always picture a cow chewing his cud. This is where I cry, repent and it seems as if every time I say the verse the Holy Spirit shows me new truths. The exciting part is when all of the verses come together and I begin to see the bigger picture.
Step 4. This is between you and the Lord. It is for your sanctification and not to bring glory to the flesh. I have just learned this step this week. My stinking flesh loves to say "Look what I've done!" When I know full and well that this old forgetful brain of mine could not even begin to do this apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. So God has now warned me 3 times to keep my prideful mouth shut about all of the scripture He has led me to memorize. It is between me and the Lord and it is for instruction, sanctification, warfare, and speaking truth to others.
Yes, I am memorizing James. A friend & I are saying 3 verses per week to each other. I have it in text in an email and keep forwarding it to myself. I put the current verses on virtual "sticky notes" to read thru the day, and type them into my pop-up reminders. I put the audio files on my ipod. I am grateful for these techno-tools and use them for what I MOST need to remember, God's Word.
Yes, I am memorizing James. A friend & I are saying 3 verses per week to each other. I have it in text in an email and keep forwarding it to myself. I put the current verses on virtual "sticky notes" to read thru the day, and type them into my pop-up reminders. I put the audio files on my ipod. I am grateful for these techno-tools and use them for what I MOST need to remember, God's Word.
Wow, my friend was just telling me that her church is doing Beth Moore's Study on James. That is great that you are going to do that. I am starting a study on one of the books that I enjoyed reading many years ago "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer. It will be interesting. I have taken many of Beth Moore's studies and someday I may get the opportunity to do James - but I must admit I really have a hard time with memorization but I do so LOVE THE BOOK of James and have done other studies. I will pray for you as you go through this journey!
Write your verse or verses on an index card after morning devotions. Try to memorize it and then meditate on them through the day. Add more every day and recite as many as you have time when you can. Keep them in the car when you drive to use wasted time.
You don't know me, but I did a Google search for "beth moore" "memorizing james", and your blog was listed! Did you decide to start memorizing James?? I came online looking for some others that had done it or are working on it, because I needed a little cheering on. I'm trying to do 5 (sometimes 6) verses each week. I'm currently able to do James 1:1 through 3:15. God is so amazing! I haven't memorized Scripture in SO long, because I thought my brain had turned to mush. I loved how Beth challenged us to ASK GOD FOR THE ABILITY!!! (Not James but . . . Ask and ye shall receive!!) He has been blessing me with the ability! It's work, but it's been wonderful. But I realize I still have a long way to go, and I don't want to give up. As you study, some days pray for me? Thanks!
Oops, I forgot to say . . . I printed out one chapter at a time, and I have copies in my car, next to my chair in the living room, and by my bed (I skipped the laminating, because I wanted to be able to fold them, and stuff them places!). I do most of my memorization in the car. I say it out loud while driving! I probably spend about 20 minutes each day? I always say 1:1 through however far I am at least once a day, and I spend more time with my current verse and the verses immediately before that one.
Looking forward to hearing about others doing this!
Wow! The Holy Spirit is AWESOME! The same power that raised Christ from the dead is alive in us!
I said the whole book of James for the first time this morning!!!!!!!!
How are you making out with your memorization? The hardest for me was about 1/2 way through...seemed like I ran out of steam. But God is able, and I pushed through!
I wonder how you have done in memorizing James. I am on chapter 4 excited to see others memorizing. I never thought it possible now I wonder how much I can memorize.
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