Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
Require it of myself? Not exactly. I memorized Scripture growing up in Christian school, in AWANA clubs, and, most recently, in the Christian Service Brigade Herald of Christ internship.
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Scripture Memorization at your Bible College
- Thread starter kathleenmariekg
- Start date
AWANA required memorization by the teachers as well as the kids. So I memorized and was tested on all the verses required by the book for the age group I was helping to lead. But alas, I cannot quote from memory those verses now. Perhaps as Fahrenheit 451 illustrates, memorization was more important when the written word was not available or could not be read.
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
I googled the CSB. Interesting! I think my brother participated in the Royal Rangers for a little while.
Scripture memory does not come easily for me. I have some short-term and some long-term memory loss as a result of the seizures. But I have found that the process of attempting to memorize scripture forces me to interact with the passages differently. That process is of worth, even if I lose the ability to quote the verse or even remember the period of time spent memorizing it. The process of the attempt changes my heart and worldview, and that remains, even with loss of the verse itself.
The world's priorities are so fast and shallow and fickle now; scripture memorization is the opposite.
Mikey
Active Member
I think what Sinclair Ferguson says is what is more important than pure verse memorisation.
That you are able to summarise accurately the books/chapters of the bible. What is Ephesians chapter 3 about? What about the first chapter of Timothy? etc. So when we're in a discussion we know what books/chapters are relevant to the topic. Verse memorisation is useful but in my view not the most important.
For example you're to memorise Gen 2:24, but what about Gen 2:23? Memorise one verse but that verse is without context.
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
I keep getting taken back to the notetaking, outlining, and summary skills that I learned in my law classes.
Thanks!
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
Watching the Ferguson video reminded me of the 4-color briefing methods.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Brief-Case-Quick-Study/dp/142320171X
Generally, the color coded journaling methods are color coding very surface things or applicable things, not conclusions and main points.
By the end of my paralegal studies, I was using a 4-color pen, a pencil, and a yellow highlighter very systematically. I have found myself marking up my current handwritten notes and coursebook with pencil, yellow highlight, and red pen, without any real plan, yet.
I am on lesson 6 of the WVBS Genesis course, and there is a video on doctrine that appears to be preparation for the term paper, and a bunch of videos on Noah's ark. There is so much distraction from the excellent outlines of the Bible text that are the core of the coursebook, and remind me of my law studies.
I really appreciate the link to that video, Mikey: it was timely.
https://www.amazon.com/How-Brief-Case-Quick-Study/dp/142320171X
Generally, the color coded journaling methods are color coding very surface things or applicable things, not conclusions and main points.
By the end of my paralegal studies, I was using a 4-color pen, a pencil, and a yellow highlighter very systematically. I have found myself marking up my current handwritten notes and coursebook with pencil, yellow highlight, and red pen, without any real plan, yet.
I am on lesson 6 of the WVBS Genesis course, and there is a video on doctrine that appears to be preparation for the term paper, and a bunch of videos on Noah's ark. There is so much distraction from the excellent outlines of the Bible text that are the core of the coursebook, and remind me of my law studies.
I really appreciate the link to that video, Mikey: it was timely.
Sounds like your example of the good ole Rainbow study bible!
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
No. It is different, and that video is the link to me understanding why they are different.
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
How did I miss that the notes in the front of my McGee Bible are similar to a legal brief? The paperback version has the following title:
Briefing the Bible
Briefing the Bible
Sometimes things are clear enough to slap me in the face, yet I still don't see them.
Briefing the Bible
Briefing the Bible
Sometimes things are clear enough to slap me in the face, yet I still don't see them.
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
Here is an example of someone legal briefing by color. The colors mark the key things that lead to the final conclusion.
Case Briefing in Law School
Case Briefing in Law School
One nifty thing about memorization in the age of computer search engines, is I can usually remember enough (key words or phrase) so that I can bring up the verse whenever I need it to refute a bogus view. I think the version we memorized in AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) was the KJV or possibly the NKJV. So if I search "wages of sin" my verse pops.
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Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
It's Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed...... I was an AWANA kid too....
You are correct, and I was wrong, the word is Approved. My memory is deteriorating.
One nifty thing about memorization in the age of computer search engines, is I can usually remember enough (key words or phrase) so that I can bring up the verse whenever I need it to refute a bogus view. I think the version we memorized in AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed - 2 Timothy 2:15) was the KJV or possibly the NKJV. So if I search "wages of sin" my verse pops.
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
That as about the time, (maybe a few years sooner) they started to use the NKJV.
I do remember several ultra - IFB churches drop AWANA because they did use NJKV - in spite of the fact that those churches could still get the KJV!
Reformed1689
Well-Known Member
Of Course AWANA today looks NOTHING like it did when I was in it. In my opinion, the program has changed for the worse.
kathleenmariekg
Active Member
Hmm. I think googling the KJV phrases does make scripture pop up faster in an online search: interesting.
Didn't do Scripture Memorization in Seminary.
Seminaries usually don't and shouldn't spend time on that.
They are there to give you the skillsets you can't acquire on your own, not the ones you can.
Also, as unpopular as it will be to suggest it, rote memorization of passages of text you don't really understand is not near as meaningful as some think it is.
Knowing how to understand and apply Scripture you don't have memorized is a better skillset.
Seminaries usually don't and shouldn't spend time on that.
They are there to give you the skillsets you can't acquire on your own, not the ones you can.
Also, as unpopular as it will be to suggest it, rote memorization of passages of text you don't really understand is not near as meaningful as some think it is.
Knowing how to understand and apply Scripture you don't have memorized is a better skillset.
Anyone beginning seminary should have 3-4 dozen passages committed to memory - IF they take the Bible and their education seriously
Mikey
Active Member
not sure about that.