This summer, we spent significant time in our Growth Groups discussing Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. For many, this was an encouraging and convicting time of evaluation and reflection. Chapter after chapter, Whitney continually challenged us to put different disciplines into practice for the sake of growing in godliness. If you are anything like me, perhaps you feel somewhat overwhelmed, and left asking yourself the question, “Where do I begin?” In an effort to practically implement one area of discipline, IDC is implementing a Scripture memory plan that will seek to grow us in the area of Bible intake.
The Word of God is the source of life for Christians. Jesus set an example for us to follow by allowing God’s word from Deuteronomy 8:3 to empower and lead him when faced with temptation: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Jesus knew the Scriptures intimately, and we need to know the Scriptures intimately as well. We need the Scriptures to guide us as we seek to faithfully grow in sanctification and holiness, as the Psalmist declared, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). We need the Scriptures to instruct us on how to live in biblical community, as the author of Hebrews commands, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25). We need the Scriptures to empower us to share the gospel with unbelievers, as Paul reminds Timothy that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). And we need the Scriptures to direct our mission, as Jesus himself gave us a lasting commandment to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Our hope and desire is that we would go beyond memorization; that we would feast on God’s word and allow it to saturate our hearts and minds as we “swim” in the text and meditate upon its truths. To help us do this, we are going to seek to tackle bigger chunks of Scripture and not just one or two verses at a time. The purpose of this idea is twofold: First, we want to memorize and meditate upon key passages in each book the elders preach through in order to gain a systematic understanding of a larger text of Scripture. Second, by dedicating ourselves to the word, and by the grace of God through the Spirit, we desire to see our lives re-shaped and re-formed into the image of Christ. We want the Scriptures to change us, but Jesus cannot change us through His word if we do not know or submit to it.
This undertaking will require a sacrifice of our time, and this is why community is important. We need to support, challenge, and encourage each other up as we grow into Christ. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 4 that we grow into Christ together. Our individual knowledge of the Scriptures is not just for our own growth, but it is for the benefit of our brothers and sisters as well. We are called to “speak the truth in love” to each other (Eph. 4:15). We are called to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16).
So lets join together in memorizing, meditating, feasting, savoring, treasuring, and resting on all that God has for us in his word. Listed below are the passages we will tackle with a “loose” schedule to provide some structure or to serve as a goal depending on how you are motivated. Just think, by November 30th we could have 30% of 1 Timothy memorized!
1) September 22nd-October 5th: 1 Timothy 1:3-7
2) October 6th-October 19th: 1 Timothy 2:1-6
3) October 20th-October 26th: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
4) October 27th-November 2nd: 1 Timothy 4:6-10
5) November 3rd-November 16th: 1 Timothy 5:1-8
6) November 17th-November 30th: 1 Timothy 6:3-10