Practicing the Way: Scripture — MEMORIZE

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Memorized and Quoted Scripture in His Deepest Moments

Even in his greatest suffering, Jesus drew strength from memorized scripture, showing us the power of having God’s Word hidden in our hearts.

Matthew 27:46 (NIV)
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Reflection: When you face moments of pain or confusion, what words or verses come out of you? Is there a scripture you can begin to memorize this week so that God’s truth is ready on your lips in times of need?

[33:52]

Day 2: Memorizing Scripture Renews and Reshapes Our Minds

Filling our minds with scripture carves new mental pathways, helping us think what is true, beautiful, and good, and gradually shaping us to think like Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Reflection: What negative or anxious thought patterns do you notice in your mind? Choose one verse to memorize this week that can redirect your thoughts toward God’s truth when those patterns arise.

[40:14]

Day 3: Scripture Memory Equips Us to Resist Temptation

Having God’s Word stored in our hearts enables us to respond to temptation and lies with truth, just as Jesus did in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:3-4 (NIV)
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Reflection: What is one recurring temptation or lie you face? Find a verse that speaks directly to it, and begin memorizing it so you can “talk back” with God’s truth when it arises.

[42:34]

Day 4: Scripture Memory Sustains Us in Suffering

When life’s hardships come, the scriptures we have memorized become a source of comfort and strength, carrying us when we cannot carry ourselves.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Reflection: Recall a time of suffering or grief—what words or scriptures did you cling to, or wish you had known by heart? What verse can you begin to memorize now, so it will be there for you in future valleys?

[46:03]

Day 5: Building an Inner Library of Scripture Forms Us into Christ’s Likeness

Regularly memorizing and meditating on scripture is a key way God forms us into the likeness of Christ, equipping us to be agents of His new creation in the world.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Reflection: What is one small, consistent step you can take this week to begin building your “inner library” of scripture? How might this practice help you become more like Jesus for the sake of others?

[48:58]

Sermon Summary

Growing up, I didn’t always appreciate my dad’s insistence on memorizing scripture, but now I see the deep wisdom in his approach. He was planting seeds that would bear fruit decades later, shaping not just my mind but my heart. The practice of memorizing scripture is not just for children; it’s a vital discipline for all followers of Jesus. It’s about building an “inner library” of God’s words, so that the Holy Spirit has material to work with in our lives—especially in moments of need, temptation, or suffering.

Jesus himself modeled this for us. On the cross, when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” he was quoting Psalm 22, not as a cry of despair, but as a way of locating himself in the story of God. Through the Jewish tradition of Ramez, quoting the first line of a passage would bring the whole psalm to mind, both for himself and for those listening. This only works when scripture is deeply embedded in us. When Jesus was pressed to his limits, what came out of him was scripture.

Memorizing scripture is more than a spiritual exercise; it’s a way of shaping our minds and hearts. Neuroscience confirms what scripture has always taught: what we repeatedly think about forms the pathways of our minds. When we fill our minds with God’s word, we give the Spirit something to draw upon, especially when we face temptation or suffering. In my own life, especially in seasons of deep grief, it was the words of scripture that carried me—not because I opened a Bible in the moment, but because those words were already inside me.

This practice is not about dramatic moments or instant transformation. It’s about the slow, steady work of letting God’s word reshape us from the inside out. Over time, these small acts of memorization form new neural pathways, helping us to default to what is true, beautiful, and good. My invitation is simple: choose a verse or passage this week—maybe from Matthew 16-20 or Psalm 11-15—and carry it with you. Let it live in you, so that when life squeezes you, what comes out is the heart and word of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Scripture memorization forms an inner library Building an inner library of scripture gives the Holy Spirit material to work with in our lives. When God’s word is stored in our hearts, it becomes accessible in moments of need, comfort, or decision. This practice is not just for children, but for all who want to be shaped by God’s story and presence. [33:52]
2. Memorized scripture renews and redirects the mind What we repeatedly think about shapes the default pathways of our minds. Memorizing scripture gives our minds something true and beautiful to dwell on, counteracting the chaos and negativity that can otherwise take root. Over time, this practice helps us to think more like Jesus, aligning our thoughts with his. [40:14]
3. Scripture equips us for spiritual resistance When Jesus faced temptation, he didn’t argue or debate; he simply replied with scripture. Memorizing God’s word equips us to “talk back” to lies, temptations, and fears with truth. This is a form of spiritual resistance, enabling us to stand firm when confronted by the enemy or our own doubts. [42:34]
4. God’s word sustains us in suffering In seasons of deep pain or grief, it is often the scripture we have already internalized that carries us. When we are too weary or broken to find words, the Spirit brings to mind the words we have hidden in our hearts. This is why it’s crucial to embed scripture in our lives before the crisis comes, so that God’s comfort is readily available. [46:03]
5. Remembering is a spiritual discipline The most common command in scripture is to remember. We are prone to spiritual amnesia, forgetting what God has spoken. Memorizing scripture is a way of actively remembering, keeping God’s truth before us so that we are formed into people who think, feel, and act in line with his heart. [48:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Childhood Scripture Memory Stories
[03:10] - Hard Choices Now, Easy Life Later
[05:30] - Scripture as Formation, Not Just Information
[07:40] - Jesus on the Cross and Psalm 22
[10:15] - The Power of Ramez and Memory
[13:00] - Building an Inner Library
[15:20] - Hearing God’s Voice Through Memorization
[18:00] - Renewing the Mind with Scripture
[21:00] - Resisting Temptation with God’s Word
[24:00] - Scripture in Seasons of Suffering
[27:00] - The Discipline of Remembering
[29:00] - Practical Invitation to Memorize
[31:30] - The Beatitudes Recited
[34:21] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 16, 18, 24 (NIV) — > 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
> 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
> 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
> 16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
> 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
> 24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

2. Matthew 27:46 (NIV)
> About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

3. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
> Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Observation Questions

When Jesus was on the cross, what specific words did he say, and where do those words come from in the Old Testament? ([33:52])
According to the sermon, what is the Jewish tradition of Ramez, and how did Jesus use it on the cross? ([33:52])
What are some of the ways the sermon describes scripture being used in moments of suffering or temptation? ([45:03])
In Philippians 4:8, what kinds of things does Paul encourage believers to focus their minds on?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to quote the first line of Psalm 22 while he was suffering on the cross? What might he have been communicating to those around him? ([33:52])
The sermon talks about building an “inner library” of scripture. How does this idea connect to the way Jesus responded to suffering and temptation? ([36:52])
The speaker mentions that memorizing scripture is not just for children, but for all followers of Jesus. Why might adults sometimes overlook this practice, and what are the consequences? ([48:58])
How does the idea that “what we repeatedly think about shapes the default pathways of our minds” challenge or encourage you in your own spiritual habits? ([40:14])

Application Questions

The speaker shared how, in a season of deep grief, it was memorized scripture that carried him, not a Bible he opened in the moment. Have you ever experienced a time when a verse you had memorized came to mind just when you needed it? If not, how might you prepare for future moments of need? ([46:03])
Jesus responded to temptation by quoting scripture, not by arguing or debating. What are some specific lies, temptations, or fears you face regularly? Is there a verse you could memorize to “talk back” to those situations? ([42:34])
The sermon suggests that memorizing scripture is a way of “actively remembering” God’s truth. What are some practical ways you could make scripture memory a regular part of your week? ([48:58])
The speaker’s dad made him memorize scripture as a child, even when he didn’t appreciate it. Are there spiritual disciplines from your past that you now see the value in? How might you re-engage with them? ([31:34])
The sermon invites everyone to choose a verse or passage to memorize this week, perhaps from Matthew 16-20 or Psalm 11-15. What verse will you choose, and how will you keep it with you throughout the week? ([48:58])
The idea of “building an inner library” means giving the Holy Spirit material to work with in your life. What are some distractions or habits that fill your mind with other things? How could you make space for God’s word instead? ([36:52])
The speaker says that most days, memorizing scripture is not dramatic, but over time it reshapes us. What small, consistent step could you take this week to begin or continue this practice? ([48:58])

Sermon Clips

Dallas Willard once said, memorizing scripture is even more important than a daily quiet time. For as we fill our minds with great passages and have them readily available for our meditation, quiet time takes over the entirety of our lives. He's not saying that quiet time or devotional time or spending time with God is not important. He's saying that by memorizing scripture, that's how we get to enjoy quiet time all day long. My friend and former pastor Ken Shigematsu calls this practice building an inner library. [00:36:10] (41 seconds) #InnerLibraryLife

I think many of us say, God, I just want you to speak to me. God, why won't you speak to me? God, I want to hear your voice. But one of the most common ways that God speaks is by bringing scripture to mind. As a teacher, I mean, as a teacher, as a teenager, I memorized Romans 16, 19. It says, Be excellent at what is good, stay innocent of evil, and the God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet. So whenever, to this day, whenever I'm tempted to react in anger or to take control of things, the spirit brings that verse to mind. [00:37:35] (36 seconds) #RenewYourMind

The Singaporean theologian Huihui Tan says this, you are what your mind thinks about. You are what you contemplate. The Apostle Paul puts it like this many generations before in his letter to the Philippians. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, think about these things. Are you beginning to catch the drift? Memorizing scripture shifts your mental environment. You begin to think scripture and therefore you begin to think like Jesus. [00:41:17] (40 seconds) #MindOfChrist

Third, memorizing scripture helps resist temptation. Last week we looked at Luke chapter 4 or Matthew chapter 4 where Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. And when he was tempted, the devil came to him. What did he do? He didn't debate the devil. He simply replied saying, it is written. It is written, man does not live on bread alone. It is written, you shall not put the Lord God to your test. It is written, worship the Lord God alone. [00:41:57] (36 seconds) #MemorizeForLife

He didn't debate. He didn't rally the troops. He simply stated the truth that was already deposited within. The early desert fathers called this practice anteresis, which is talking back. Kids, you get to talk back if you're doing scripture to the lies of the enemy. They memorized scripture so that whenever a lie entered their mind, they could talk back with the truth of God. Memorizing scripture equips us for spiritual resistance. [00:42:33] (39 seconds) #BeatitudesBlessings

Words I had carried for years, but now those words carried me. It's not because I opened a Bible at that time, but it's because the Bible was already inside me, or at least those parts of it. The run became one of the most honest moments of my grief. My body hurt, my heart hurt, but my spirit was somehow being carried by the Spirit of God. But that's the thing about suffering. You can't comfort yourself well in real time when it happens. You need scripture in you before the crisis. [00:46:13] (47 seconds)

See, when Jesus was squeezed on that cross, what came out of him? Scripture. When you're squeezed in life, what comes out of you? Anger? Control? Worry? Or the words in the heart of God? See, the most common command in scripture that you'll find is remember. Remember. Remember. Do not forget. Remember. Remember. Our first parents in the garden, they didn't remember. And that's why we're all here where we are now. We are prone to spiritual amnesia. [00:47:01] (43 seconds)

And I'm going to be honest with you. Most days, reading scripture, meditating on scripture, studying scripture, memorizing scripture, is not going to be really that dramatic. It's going to just be eating bread. But over the years, those small moments reshape the neural pathways of our minds. They make new connections so that we default to something true and beautiful and good. Slowly, the mind of Christ takes shape in you. [00:49:17] (34 seconds)

But maybe that seems to be too big. Just one verse from one of this week's readings. This week, our reading plan takes us to Matthew 16 through 20 or Psalm 11 through 15. Find a verse or a couple verses that you can memorize and take with you. Just one. Write it down. Murmur it under your breath as we learned how to haggah, meditate on scripture a couple weeks back. Carry it and let it live with you in the coming weeks. Give the Spirit of God something to work with in your heart. [00:50:24] (39 seconds)

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they set it on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house in the same way. Let people see, let your light shine, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. [00:53:22] (25 seconds)

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