When I was in a discipleship class some years back; we were asked to memorize some scriptural passages. Then some one got up and said, he thought scripture memory was meant for kids in the children Sunday school.

That's a very wrong notion the man above had. I once had that conception. There are numerous importance for scripture memory.

1. The chief reason is: it helps us not to sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Joseph new the word. But he also knew that quoting the scripture won't save him from Potiphar's wife. He did not only run, but he fled.

2. It helps us to fight against the devil.. The devil fears any one who has the knowledge of the word of God. My people perish for lack of knowledge.

3. it gives us the boldness to speak any where, and being ready to answer any one who confronts/challenges us with questions. Read (2 Timothy 2:15)

4. It helps us with the right answers to give the devil when facing temptation. If Jesus was tempted, then no one is above temptation. Mind you, Jesus was tempted more than thrice. Jesus gave all the answers from the scripture, because He is the Word Himself, even though the devil quoted the scripture, but he had no chance with the WORD of GOD (Jesus).

5. Quoting the scripture while praying is much more effective. God honours His word more than His name. If someone meets you, and begs you for money. You may decide not to give, it's not your fault, because you wouldn't have had him in mind. But if you promise to give him the money, and have gone to the extent of writing it in a paper, as an agreement. Once he comes to collect the promised money, you don't have and option than to give, especially when he correctly quotes the promise(s) you've made. He isn't gonna force you to fulfill the promise(s), but you wouldn't be happy if you don't give.
That's exactly how God will feel if you quote His promise (the scripture) correctly, and He doesn't answer you.

Now that you know scripture memory is not only meant for children; what will you do? Coz it will be a shame for your child, kid brother/sister, nephew/niece to memorize and recite many passages, and you don't know any.

I'll come next time to teach us how to memorize the scripture,should we not know how to go by it.

It's better to have the Word written in your heart than on your mind.

When the Word is written in your heart, the Holy Spirit becomes your life Principles

UceeGod:
It's better to have the Word written in your heart than on your mind.

When the Word is written in your heart, the Holy Spirit becomes your life Principles

You don't memorize without meditating...When you meditate day and night, it then becomes part of you....It then stays in your heart.

SHALOM!

UceeGod:
It's better to have the Word written in your heart than on your mind.

When the Word is written in your heart, the Holy Spirit becomes your life Principles

UCEEGOD IS CORRECT.

A Chinese Sage said something about:

PEOPLE USE NETS TO CATCH FISH;
WHEN THEY HAVE CAUGHT THE FISH
THEY FORGET THE NETS.

PEOPLE USE BOWS AND ARROWS
TO HUNT GAME;
WHEN THEY HAVE THE GAME,
THEY FORGET THE BOW AND ARROWS.

PEOPLE USE WORDS
TO FRAME IDEAS;
WHEN THEY HAVE ACQUIRED THE IDEAS,
THEY FORGET THE WORDS.

I WOULD FAIN CONVERSE WITH A MAN
WHO HAS FORGOTTEN THE WORDS.

[See: THE WISDOM OF KUNG FU, by Michael Minick.]

There is a State of Mind in which you forget the SCRIPTURES, but KNOW the PRINCIPLES.

Chenzee:


You don't memorize without meditating...When you meditate day and night, it then becomes part of you....It then stays in your heart.

MEMORIZATION AND MEDITATION ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

WESTERN EDUCATION teaches "MEMORIZATION." "CRAMMING."

That may be a totally wrong approach.

MEDITATION IS QUITE DIFFERENT.

The difference is that in Western Education, we are taught that it is very bad form to read aloud.

That it is a sign of low intelligence.

It is a fact that one can read with one's eyes far faster than one can utter the words.

I believe that a gentleman named "SNOW" was the World's Fastest Rapper- able to utter a mind-boggling 180 words per minute.

I think that is great- but reading silently is surely faster.

MEDITATION INVOLVES READING ALOUD.

. LEVITICUS 11:1-12.

AND The LORD Spake unto Moses and to Aaron,
Saying unto them,

2. "Speak unto the Children of Israel,
saying,

'THESE ARE THE BEASTS
WHICH YE SHALL EAT
AMONG ALL THE BEASTS
THAT ARE ON THE EARTH.
3. "WHATSOEVER PARTETH THE HOOF,
AND IS CLOVENFOOTED,
AND CHEWETH THE CUD,
AMONG THE BEASTS,
THAT SHALL YE EAT.'

4. "Nevertheless these shall ye not eat
of them that chew the cud,
or of them that divide the hoof:
as the camel,
because he cheweth the cud,
but divideth not the hoof;
he is unclean unto you.
5. "And the coney,
because he cheweth the cud,
but divideth not the hoof;
he is unclean unto you.
6. "And the hare,
because he cheweth the cud,
but divideth not the hoof;
he is unclean unto you.
7. And the swine,
though he divide the hoof,
and be clovenfooted,
yet he cheweth not the cud;
he is unclean to you.
8. "Of their flesh shall ye not eat,
and their carcase shall ye notr touch;
they (are) unclean to you.

9. These shall ye eat
of all that are in the waters:
whatsoever hath fins and scales
in the waters,
in the seas,
and in the rivers,
them shall ye eat.

10. "And all that have not fins and scales
in the seas,
and in the rivers,
of all that move in the waters,
and of any living thing
which is in the waters,
they shall be an abomination unto you:
11. "They shall be even an abomination unto you;
ye shall not eat of their flesh,
but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
12. "Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales
in the waters,
that shall be an abomination unto you."

THIS IS GOD'S SECRET INSTRUCTION TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ON HOW TO MEDITATE.

GENTILES have studied The Bible their whole lives, but never understood this instruction.

Only HEBREW ISRAELITES are expected to understand this Teaching.

. THE EPISTLE OF BARNABAS 9:1-20.

BUT why did Moses say,

"YE SHALL NOT EAT OF THE SWINE,
NEITHER THE EAGLE NOR THE HAWK;
NOR THE CROW
NOR ANY FISH THAT HAS NOT
A SCALE UPON HIM?"

answer, that in the spiritual sense,
he comprehended three Doctrines,
that were to be gathered from thence.

2. Besides which he says to them in the Book of Deuteronomy,

[color=#006600]"AND I WILL GIVE MY STATUTES
UNTO THIS PEOPLE."

Wherefore it is not the Command of God
that they should not eat these things;
but Moses in the spirit spake unto them.

3. Now the sow he forbade them to eat;
meaning thus much;

Thou shalt not join thyself to such persons as are like unto swine;
who whilst they live in pleasure,
forget their God;
but when any want pinches them,
then they know The LORD;
as the sow when she is full knows not her master;
but when she is hungry she makes a noise;
and being again fed, is silent.

4. "Neither,"

says He,

"SHALT THOU EAT THE EAGLE,
NOR THE HAWK, NOR THE KITE,
NOR THE CROW;"

That is, thou shalt not keep company
with such kind of men as know not how by their labour and sweat
to get themselves food:
but injuriously ravish away the things of others;
and watch how, to lay snares for them;
when at the same time they appear to live in perfect innocence.

5. [So these birds alone seek not food for themselves, but]
sitting idle seek how they may eat of the flesh others have provided;
being destructive through their wickedness.

6. "NEITHER,"

says He,

"SHALT THOU EAT THE LAMPREY,
NOR THE POLYPUS,
NOR THE CUTTLE-FISH;"

That is, thou shalt not be like such men,
by using to converse with them;
who are altogether wicked and adjudged to death.
For so those fishes are alone accursed,
and wallow in the mire,
nor swim as other fishes,
but tumble in the dirt at the bottom of the deep.

7. "BUT,"

He adds,

[i "NEITHER SHALT THOU
EAT OF THE HARE."[/i]

To what end?—To signify this to us;

"Thou shalt not be an adulterer;
nor liken thyself to such persons."

For the hare every year
multiplies the places of its conception;
and so many years as it lives,
so many it has.

8. "Neither shalt thou
eat of the hyena;"

That is, again, be not an adulterer,
nor a corruptor of others;
neither be like to such.
And wherefore so?—

Because that creature every year changes its kind,
and is sometimes male and sometimes female.

9. For which cause also He justly hated the weasel;
to the end that they should not be like such persons
who with their mouths commit wickedness by reason of their uncleanness;
nor join themselves with those impure women,
who with their mouths commit wickedness.
Because that animal conceives with its mouth.

10. Moses, therefore,
speaking as concerning meats,
delivered indeed three great precepts to them
in the spiritual signification of those commands.
But they according to the desires of the flesh,
understood him as if he had only meant it of meats.

11. And therefore David took aright the Knowledge of his threefold command,
saying in like manner.

12. "Blessed is the man
that hath not walked
in the counsel of the ungodly;"
as the fishes before mentioned
in the bottom of the Deep in darkness.

[i][b]13. "Nor stood in the way of Sinners,"

as they who seem to fear The LORD,
but yet sin, as the sow.

14. "AND HATH NOT SAT
IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNERS;"

as those birds who sit and watch that they may devour.

15. Here you have The Law concerning meat perfectly set forth,
and according to the true Knowledge of it.[/color]

16. "BUT,"

says Moses,

"YE SHALL EAT ALL THAT
DIVIDETH THE HOOF,
AND CHEWETH THE CUD."

Signifying thereby such an one as having taken his food,
knows Him that nourisheth him;
and resting upon Him, rejoiceth in Him.

17. And in this He spake well,
having respect to The Commandment.
What, therefore, is it that He Says?—

That we should hold fast to them that fear The LORD;
with those who meditate on the Command of the Word
Which they have received in their heart;
with those that declare The Righteous Judgments of The LORD,
and keep His Commandments;

18. In short, with those who know that to meditate is a work of pleasure,
and therefore exercise themselves in The Word of The LORD.

19. But why might they eat those that clave the hoof?—

Because the Righteous liveth in this present world;
but his expectation is fixed upon the other.
See, Brethren, how admirably Moses commanded these things.

20. But how should we thus know all this, and understand it?
We, therefore, understanding aright The Commandments,
speak as The LORD would have us.
Wherefore He has circumcised our ears and our hearts,
that we might know these things.

. EPISTLE OF BARNABAS 10:11-12.

11. And Moses again says about food,

"AND EAT EVERY THING CLOVEN-FOOTED AND
THAT DRAWETH UP [THE CUD.]"

Why says he so ?
Because when receiving nourishment
it knows Him who nourishes it,
and resting upon Him
it seems to be made glad.
He spake well,
looking to the Commandment.
What then does he mean?
That we should join ourselves
to those who fear the Lord,
to those who meditate in their heart
on the explanation of the Word
which they have received,
to those who preach the Judgments
of the Lord and observe them,
to those who know
that Meditation is a Work of Gladness,
and to those who
ruminate on The Word of the Lord.
And why the clovenfooted?
Because the just man both walks in this World,
and also looks for the Holy Age.
Look how well Moses made his Laws.
12. But how could they [the Jews] perceive
or understand these things ?
But we,
rightly understanding the Commands,
rightly preach as the Lord wished.
For this purpose he circumcised
our ears and hearts,
that we might understand these things.

IN MEDITATION, ONE READS THE WHOLE TORAH LAW OF GOD THROUGH, ALOUD, FIRST.

It is not necessary to read it all at one sitting- and not generally feasible!

Then, one picks a selection of verses- not too many- a "mouthful," so to speak- and repeats them over and over and over- for as many hours, days, weeks, or months as is necessary- until a State of TOTAL UNDERSTANDING is attained. (You will know It when you attain It.)

That is what REAL MEDITATION is.

Other types are WRONG for the BIBLE-BELIEVER, and pertain to other Religions and Spiritual Schools.

Chenzee:


You don't memorize without meditating...When you meditate day and night, it then becomes part of you....It then stays in your heart.

Meditation yields no fruit without the Holy Spirit's inscription of the Word in your heart

UceeGod:


Meditation yields no fruit without the Holy Spirit's inscription of the Word in your heart

Thanks for the insightful contribution... I've indeed learnt a lot...

Every believer is the earthly temple of God (the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit resides/dwells inside of us. It's either we allow the Holy Spirit to be active or we suppress Him.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to actively participate in controlling our affairs, He just need to see our intents, and He will help us. When the Holy Spirit is active in us, then scripture meditation automatically becomes fruitful.

But the Holy Ghost, will not miraculously pick scriptures and drop inside of us when we hardly read or study the Bible. We have to make an attempt. These are the steps of incorporating the word into our hearts: Read-study-memorize-meditate-Obey/practice.