How to Memorize the Bible Fast and Easy
Written by Adam Houge and read by David Golightly
Book Outline:
Have you ever struggled in your meditation time? Would you like a real working method that will help you know your bible like the back of your hand?
In this book you will discover a detailed but simple method that will propel your ability to memorize scripture beyond anything you ever thought possible.
Does the book have Christianity as its foundation? Yes, as it’s based on having a closer walk with God by memorizing and understanding His word better.
How did the book cause reflection on God’s commandments?
Promotes God as the only God
James 1:5-8 Using God as a source of wisdom and help, through His Holy Spirit to memorize scripture.
Promotes being free from idols or refrain from promoting idols
When we put focus on God’s Word, we are receiving correction according to God’s Will, which pulls us away from worldly idols (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The scripture from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 would apply to the rest of the commandments.
What connection did the subject matter have with Christian standards?
Scripture alone (the Bible is our only authority)
Call to memorize the Bible by heart - flawlessly, so we have the Word of God in our hearts.
Psalm 119:9-16
Cleanse our way by taking heed to God’s word
Not wandering from God’s commandments
Hiding the word of God in your heart, to avoid sin
Being taught according to God’s Will - His Word
Meditate on the Word of God, to know God’s ways - His Will, His character.
Delight in the Word of God instead of worldly pleasures
Not to forget scripture. How can we remember scripture if we don’t memorize it?
Psalm 1:1-3
Meditate day and night on God’s Word
Proverbs 4:20-21
Keep God’s words in the midst of your heart
John 15:7-8
Abide in me and my words abide in you
Houge defined abide (Greek - mino) - dwell, to continue in the presence of.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you, richly in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing one another, in songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
James 1:22-25
Be doers of the Word, not just hearers, deceiving yourselves
Look into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it
A doer of the work will be blessed
Joshua 1:8
The Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth
Meditate on God’s Word day and night
Observe and do according to all that is in it
1 Corinthians 8:1
Don’t memorise the Bible to be prideful about your knowledge.
Houge asks an important question: Imagine going to share the Word of God in a foreign country where the Bible is not permitted? It’s important to have the Word of God in our heart for any occasion. Reminds me of 1 Peter 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Houge encourages his readers to approach memorizing the Bible with an open heart. To apply discipline and make sacrifices in order to make the time to memorize the Word. He refers to Matthew 6:33 and Hebrews 11:6 verses that speak of faithfully seeking God.
As the book is about scripture then it covers all of the Christian standards.
Our salvation being only through Jesus Christ’ sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 2:1-10, Isaiah 59:12, Job 33:22-24)
Jesus’ Second Coming (Titus 2:11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:14-23, John 14:1-3)
Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:8, Matthew 5:17-19)
The State of the Dead: we go to heaven when Jesus returns, not before (John 3:13, 1 John 4:12,1 Timothy 6:15-16, Romans 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
The Sanctuary in heaven, where Jesus is now, mediating for us (1 Timothy 2:4-5, Hebrews 7:24-25, Hebrews 10:19-22). Jesus is the only mediator to God.
The standard of Christian living:
Marriage is a covenant between a man, a woman and God (Matthew 19:4-5)
The man’s role as the leader of his home and the local church (Genesis 3:16, 1 Corinthians 11:3)
The value of human life (Jeremiah 1:4-5, Psalm 139:13-14)
Modesty in dress (1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3)
Our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (avoid addictions) Galatians 5:19-21, Proverbs 20:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
How did the book impact my faith?
I love the way the Bible starts and have thought about learning the creation account by heart, so when I listened to this book, I asked the Lord for help to do it. The first evening after reading most of the book, I started reading the first few lines of the creation account and could recite verses 1-5 by heart the next day. This is considering I do not like to rote learn or recite things, as this was forced upon me at school. However, being able to recite the words of God is wonderful.
After I have finished learning the creation account, I want to, under prayer, learn more Psalms. I understand that this book was about learning entire books of the Bible or even the entire Bible. There is no scripture to back up that God wants us to learn His entire Word, Word for Word. In my experience, being able to know verses, Psalms and chapters, is a blessing, because they can be recited efficiently in different situations. A verse from the Bible can provide immediate comfort to someone. I understand the author’s point about being in a country where the Bible is not permitted and being able to recite it back to someone, but as all of God’s Word is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) then verses or chapters are equally important as whole books.
So, to answer the question, yes, the book did impact my faith. I have learned more Bible verses in the last year, including a few Psalms, but this book has given me the motivation to actively do it, instead of relying solely on repeated exposure through reading, bible study and songs.
Did the book leave me with questions or further reflection?
Houge said; Pray or worship before memorizing the text until you feel the Spirit then proceed. Then you memorize through the Spirit.
My reflection for this, is that I have become better at having a running dialogue with God and Jesus, so praying is not something I think of as starting and stopping. My dialogue with the Lord has pauses and so when I approach His Word, sometimes I pray a specific prayer and other times I talk about what is on my mind or what I am intending to do. I have felt the Spirit - sometimes it is when I initiate a conversation with the Lord and other times I feel prompted to have a conversation. The same goes for worship. Sometimes I approach worship after an incident or a thought, and other times I feel called. Either way, it amounts to worship happening throughout the day, without me necessarily thinking, “Now I am going to worship God.”
Houge recommends that we memorize scripture that has real life application - as it is easier to retain and apply when there is a connection. John 14:26 - Holy Spirit helps us to retain the Word.
I definitely relate to this. The creation account came to mind straight away because of Sabbath and my motivation to always remember who created me and how it all began.
Rote learning (I personally feel secure in doing the same thing as a routine. It gives me the opportunity to perfect my skills and increase my confidence). I don’t like rote learning, but find learning scripture through songs is very effective. Houge seems to dismiss that we learn differently and rote learning, while it works for the majority is not the best for everyone. He goes off on an intense tangent about rote learning and how it is the only way to learn scripture. However, he encourages us to rely on the Holy Spirit, in faith and not try to memorize based on our flesh, that will only take us so far. He references John 14:26, Romans 8:16, 2 Corinthians 12:9 - which speak of the giving of the Holy Spirit’s power when we are humble. Houge suggests we pray on what to memorize and whatever sticks out - memorize it, as that is a sign from the Holy Spirit.
The author’s intense instruction about rote learning combined with how to rely on the Spirit seemed contradictory at first. But when I think about how I approach things, it may not be. Prayer comes first, as Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” After prayer, I engage my will to use my flesh in the process, since we are called to,“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:7). So we are presenting ourselves to be utilized by the Holy Spirit - a two way communication. We do to the limit our flesh is able to do, as an act of worship, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. I like the word Houge used in the final chapter, “Applying the Method”. The word he used was - diligence. When we present ourselves with diligence to the Lord, He will bless it, as His word says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13.
BOOK SUMMARY
I liked how Adam Houge spoke of the difference between knowledge and wisdom and urged us to reflect on why we want to memorize and recite scripture. Is it to appear spiritual (which is based on pride) or to put God’s Word in our hearts, and share it with others, for His glory.
How to Memorize the Bible Fast and Easy is an intense and worthwhile book to read or listen to. While listening to it, I was drawn to verses and chapters that I wanted to memorize, to God’s glory. As the Lord says we should meditate on His Word (Psalm 1:1-3) and hide it in our heart (Psalm 119:11), this book is a very useful tool in instruction on how to do it.
Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.
Scripture References
James 1:5-8 (wisdom)
2 Timothy 3:16-17,
Scripture alone:
Psalm 119:9-16 (the Word of God)
Psalm 1:1-3 (Meditate day and night on God’s Word)
Proverbs 4:20-21 (Keep God’s words in the midst of your heart)
John 15:7-8 (Abide in me and my words abide in you)
Colossians 3:16 (Let the word of Christ dwell in you)
James 1:22-25 (Be doers of the Word)
Joshua 1:8 (The Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth)
1 Corinthians 8:1 (Don’t memorise the Bible to be prideful about your knowledge)
Our salvation being only through Jesus Christ’ sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 2:1-10, Isaiah 59:12, Job 33:22-24)
Jesus’ Second Coming (Titus 2:11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:14-23, John 14:1-3)
Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:8, Matthew 5:17-19)
The State of the Dead: we go to heaven when Jesus returns, not before (John 3:13, 1 John 4:12,1 Timothy 6:15-16, Romans 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55)
The Sanctuary in heaven, where Jesus is now, mediating for us (1 Timothy 2:4-5, Hebrews 7:24-25, Hebrews 10:19-22). Jesus is the only mediator to God.
The standard of Christian living:
Marriage is a covenant between a man, a woman and God (Matthew 19:4-5)
The man’s role as the leader of his home and the local church (Genesis 3:16, 1 Corinthians 11:3)
The value of human life (Jeremiah 1:4-5, Psalm 139:13-14)
Modesty in dress (1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3)
Our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (avoid addictions) Galatians 5:19-21, Proverbs 20:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
John 14:26 (Holy Spirit helps us to retain the Word.)
Romans 8:16, 2 Corinthians 12:9 (giving of the Holy Spirit’s power when we are humble)
Matthew 6:33 (But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness)
Matthew 22:7 (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind)
Jeremiah 29:13 (You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart)
Psalm 1:1-3 (meditate on His Word)
Psalm 119:11 (and hide it in our heart)
1 Peter 3:15 (be ready to share our faith)
Resource Information
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