General

Yesterday I spotted a great article on Dave Quinn's Passion Blog titled Memory Verses for New Christians. Dave says:

"I am a big believer in memorising Scripture to help you grow and stay strong in your faith. This is especially important for new Christians as it helps to fill yourself with God's Word and to keep you on track."

He then listed a fantastic set of foundational memory verses. Based on his list I quickly put together the course Memory Verses for New Christians. Check it out!

Thanks for the great post Dave.

In his sermon “Praise with Understanding Part 4″ at Cottonwood Church, Bayless Conley recommends WalkingBible as “an amazing way to let to the Word of God to dwell in you”.

Its a fantastic sermon. You can stream it from the Cottonwood website here.

Hi everyone - I’m very sorry the blog has been quiet here for a little. I took some time out in December to have a holiday and move back home to Australia. Its been busy getting back and exciting getting things moving again. We’re looking at our plans, brainstorming for the future, seeing how we take WalkingBible to new heights. For me personally too I’m really feeling challenged to pursue God’s Word with more and more commitment - to delight in it, enjoy it, learn from it, engage with it, let it heal and restore, allow it to guide my steps… I know that memorisation of key verses is an important part of it too. Maybe you are feeling similarly challenged and inspired?

Excellent quotes on Bible memorization from this blog:

Chuck Swindoll wrote, “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified” (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61).

Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote, “Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization” (“Spiritual Formation in Christ for the Whole Life and Whole Person” in Vocatio, Vol. 12, no. 2, Spring, 2001, p. 7).

C.H. Spurgeon said of John Bunyan, “Prick him anywhere; and you will find that his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God.” (Quoted from his Autobiography in Iain Murrya, The Forgotten Spurgeon [Edingburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1973] p. 34)