If you have been active around FAST awhile, you probably know there are a couple things we emphasize a lot. One is Bible memorization. Another is the "Wheel". Today, I want to talk a bit about the connection between these two.

The "Wheel", for those not familiar with it, is one of the foundational illustrations in our Basic Training program. The outer rim represents our daily life. This is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak, in terms of our outward words and actions. The hub represents the power source, Christ at the core of our being. It's the Holy Spirit in the heart, that drives the forward motion in our life. But the key to getting power from the hub to the rim, is the spokes.



These spokes represent the basic disciplines of discipleship. Most of these can be organized into four main categories: prayer, Bible study, obedience, and witnessing. To live a vibrant, Spirit-filled life, one must cultivate balanced growth in each of these spokes. It also just so happens these spokes represent four of the biggest reasons to memorize!

Prayer
While aspects of prayer can be mysterious at times, a few things are clear. First, the internalization of Scripture is connected with answered prayer. Jesus made this point explicitly, when talking to the disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.). One reason for this connection is that faith is a condition to answered prayer, and genuine faith must be rooted in Scripture.

Abraham, for example "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith" (Romans 4:20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;). He was "fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform" (Romans 4:21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.). To put it differently, faith is not simply believing God will do what we want. It is believing He will do what He has said in His Word.

If you want to become more powerful in prayer, begin linking specific promises to your requests. Better yet, memorize those promises, and quote them back to God while you pray. Use the very language of Scripture when praying to God. Lay hold on the exact thing God has promised. It will strengthen your prayer life immensely.

Bible Study
While memorization could be considered a kind of Bible study, it is not a substitute for regular reading of the Scriptures, meditation, application, and careful study. Using good tools like a concordance to study out topics, or a lexicon to dig deep into the meanings of words is also important. And even prepared study guides, like those available through FAST, can help you get a firmer grip on the teachings of the Bible. We need all the above!

But memorization is foundational to these approaches in two important ways. First, it helps us remember key lessons God teaches through our reading or study. The Old Testament is clear, God does not want us to forget what He says: "take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life" (Deuteronomy 4:9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;). The New Testament puts it this way, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.). When God illuminates some verse, gather up the light, and store it in the tables of your heart!

Do this faithfully, and you will soon discover the second thing memorization does. Verses start popping into your mind when reading, studying, listening to a sermon, meditating on some verse, and other related activities. Connections are made. Things start to click. Actually, this is God's appointed way of teaching: "the Holy Ghost teacheth" according to Paul, by "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (I Corinthians 2:13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.). When Isaiah asked, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?" the answer came back: "precept upon precept; line upon line, . . . here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-109 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:).

The human brain, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, will make amazing connections, and glean tremendous insights, in ways no computer ever will. Memorization accelerates this learning process dramatically, and then helps you remember what you learn. How vital!

Obedience
A third key spoke on the disciple's wheel is living a life of obedience. This, of course, covers a wide range of areas: discerning God's will, resisting temptation, cultivating character, carrying out applications, time management, and more. Memorization can help with them all!

The Psalmist understood the connection. Repeatedly he emphasized the importance of memorization to obedience: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalms 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.) "I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me" (Psalms 119:93I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.) "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalms 40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.). He had personally discovered that the creative power in God's Word manifest at creation is still accessible today.

What the Psalmist discovered experientially, Peter taught explicitly. Through the "exceeding great and precious promises" of the Bible, we can become "partakers of the divine nature" and escape "the corruption that is in the world through lust" (II Peter 1:4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.). In fact, to quote Paul, this is righteousness by faith: "But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise . . . The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith" (Romans 10:6-86 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;). It is at the core of the New Covenant: "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Hebrews 10:16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;).

If you find yourself struggling to evict some besetting sin, or struggling to build some positive life change, why not bring the power of intentionally and systematically memorizing key commands and promises to bear on that specific issue? You may just discover memorization makes the difference!

Witnessing
Last but not least, learning to hide God's Word in our heart can have a powerful impact on our witness to the world. Peter urges us to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you" (I Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:). Part of that preparation is careful study: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.). But it is not enough to know the answer to someone's question, we should also be able to answer with the Words of Scripture.

Note the two reasons God gave us Scripture outlined in this passage: "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" (Proverbs 22:20-2120 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?). One is to know truth for ourself. The other is to answer people’s questions with "the words of truth". Two verses earlier, Solomon explains how to to do this: "it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips" (Proverbs 22:18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.).

The more we internalize Scripture, the more we can use it in sharing with others. And the more we use it, the more effective our sharing will be. John the Baptist, referring to Jesus, explained the secret to His power: "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John 3:34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.). If you want your witness to be filled with more of God's Spirit, seek to be filled with more of God's Word.

Conclusion
There's a close connection between Scripture memory, and the Disciples Wheel. Hiding God's Word in our heart, enriches all the key areas of discipleship: prayer, Bible study, obedience, and witnessing. It's a powerful foundation upon which to build a life of devotion to God. The benefits are incalculable!



Of course, as I frequently explain in my seminars and workshops, the fact God commands us to memorize should be reason enough. A clear thus saith the Lord is enough whether the benefits are big or small, and whether we understand how it works or not. Still, knowing that Bible memorization is foundational to all the key disciplines of the Christian life can strengthen our commitment. It can also give us a clearer view of the kind of memorization experience we should seek.

We encourage you to make a determined effort to build both memorization, and all four spokes of the Wheel into your spiritual life.

Comments

Which spokes of the wheel have been most benefited by memorization in your own life? Which spokes could grow more? Share your thoughts on this week's memo in the comments below...

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