We all need to start somewhere when it comes to committing Scripture to memory. If you are new follower of Christ, it can be overwhelming even starting to read Scripture, let alone memorizing it! Consider this a start-up kit to get you going in the right direction. When you’ve got these down, consider checking out the ABC Bible Memorization for Adults and Families.
Has someone from the pulpit ever said a Bible reference and you didn’t know where the book was located? Like Hosea? One of the first tools for Bible study that Howard Hendricks gives in his book Living by the Book is memorizing the books of the Bible. The Bible is described as the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) and sharper than a double edged sword (Heb. 4:12). If the Bible is a sword, I want to be an expert swordsman! One way we can practice our swordsmanship is to memorize the 66 books of the Bible in the order they appear. You can do so with songs which you can find on YouTube.
Now the Specific verses I encourage new believers to memorize follow the acronym of FIRST!
F – 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ” John 3:16 ESV
There is a reason why John 3:16 is posted on billboards and sports merchandise. It reveals a) God’s motive: love. b) God’s action: He gave His Son (to die in our place). c) The condition of salvation: Belief in Jesus Christ, God’s One and Only Son. d) Our destination without God: Perish – eternal death. e) The free gift of salvation: eternal life. I especially love John chapter 3 and I encourage you to memorize the verses that follow because it reveals more concerning the mission of Jesus and also our wickedness, and how deserve punishment for breaking God’s commands. But John 3:16 is really the Gospel (good news of Jesus Christ) in a nutshell!
I – 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 ESV
How are we introduced to God in Scripture…We are introduced to Him as Creator! We must be familiar with who God is and what God has done. With Darwinian Evolution being used to explain human existence and the Big Bang Theory being used to explain the existence of the universe, we must combat these lies with the Truth of God’s Word. And what do we observe in the world? Was the physical realm a product of natural, godless processes? No. Rather, we see evidences of the Creator God. God’s order and design can be witnessed throughout all of His creation. And just like a building means there is a builder, creation points to the Creator. This is the God we worship and love. Genesis 1:1 is a simple yet important verse to memorize and believe.
R – Romans Road
We looked at the Gospel in John 3:16, Romans Road is in a similar vein. So what is the Romans Road? The Romans Road is an evangelistic tool of going through 4 Bible verses found in the book of Romans in order to communicate the bad news of our sinfulness and the good news of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Here it is:
- Romans 3:23 ESV – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God [Guilty of Sin]
- Romans 6:23a ESV – For the wages of sin is death [Penalty of Sin]
- Romans 5:8 ESV – But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [The Payment for Sin]
- Romans 10:9 ESV – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. [The Payment for Sin Applied]
I feel like there are probably more verses from Romans that could be added to the Romans Road, but these are the 4 Bible passages most commonly associated with it 👍. It is so important to understand our need for a Savior and the bad news before someone is ready to receive the good news of the Gospel of grace. Romans Road captures this!
S – 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:17 ESV
In a pluralistic, post-modern society that says people define their own truth or say, “That’s true for you, but not true for me” – we need to set the record straight. Truth is that which corresponds to reality, and that reality is clearly outlined in Scripture, God’s Word. I love how John 17:17 simply tells us what Scripture does (Sanctifies) and what Scripture is (Truth). It’s the truth of God’s Word that sanctifies us and makes us holy. We must have a proper view of Scripture because when we do, we will prioritize it and submit our lives in obedience to God.
T – 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 ESV A Psalm of David
This Psalm is used to comfort those who are struggling in the midst of difficulty and death. It is not uncommon to hear this passage quoted at funerals. What I love about it is that it informs us concerning the care and provision of God for His people. If you are struggling, go to this verse and find comfort in the Shepherd of your soul, God. There is so much shepherding imagery used in Scripture and it’s important that you learn early on what shepherding entails so you can capture the meaning of passages like this one.
I hope this is helpful and that this kickstarts your journey in memorizing Scripture and prioritize God and His Word FIRST! Check out my ABC Bible Memorization for Adults and Families as a next step! Blessings!