Friday, September 17, 2010

Scripture Memorization

Thanks to a Crossway student, Sam "Periscopes" Duncan, we listened to a message from John Piper in chapel yesterday about Scripture memorization. Watch it here. Piper spends 15 minutes reciting several biblical texts from the OT and NT. His performance of Romans 8 is very powerful and it goes to show the power of aural/oral delivery of the biblical writings. One of the best things that I ever did as a young Christian was spend time memorizing a bunch of Bible verses in a pack made by the Navigators. I still think of Psalm 119.9, 11: "How can a young man keep his way pure, by living according to your word ... I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you".

6 comments:

Mike W said...

which do you think is better to recommend, big chunks or the Navigator pack?
Stirred up by Tom Wright at wheaton, i have a bunch of teenagers memorizing Ephesians.

Christopher W. Skinner said...

The Navigators Topical Memory System. Ah yes. I did this while in college also. I still remember hundreds of verses and this was 1992 to 1994. A good system for young people.

Chris Skinner

Reformation said...

We had to memorize about 300 verses at Reformed Episcopal Seminary, many of which remain foundational for this scribe.

My father, as a lad, memorized 200 verses in a Canadian Presbyterian Church, pre-WW2. Then, serving with HMCS's Navy for three years, he continued Bible memory work. That came to us at the dinner table many times.

Is it still done these days?

Nijay K. Gupta said...

I also did the Topical Memory System. A great practice, though memorizing a whole book is still a goal for me (someday!).

Andrew Cowan said...

A very effective method for memorizing long passages or whole books may be found at http://www.fbcdurham.org/assets/Media-Library/Scripture-Memory-Booklet-for-Publication-Website-Layout.pdf

r.campbell said...

Does anyone have a problem with the way the Navigator B pack introduces a deeply problematic account of salvation to and into young Christians, partly by lifting verses dramatically out of context (a.k.a. the Roman Road in a certain variation)?

I guess this is plug by me for memorization of complete passages. Better liturgically too, when performed.