We’ve just started our newest Common Life Book which is centered on memorizing key verses from the book of Acts.

Why Should We Memorize Scripture?

We have the benefit of ready access to the Bible, multiple Bibles actually, with different translations, commentaries and formats. In fact, you likely always carry a digital copy with you in your pocket. So with that kind of access, why worry about committing portions to memory?

In various parts of our life, we’re all keenly aware of the difference between internalized knowledge and just being able to find the information; between really knowing something and just being able to “google it”. Committing something to our memory is saying to ourselves “this is important enough that I need to always have it available,” while just being able to access it says, “I can find it if I really need it.”

But when we look at what the Bible says about memorizing scripture, it’s clear that we do, in fact, have a consistent need for its truth, God’s Truth, in our lives. Not just in devotional or church moments, but in the daily joys and struggles of life. Whether we are expressing gratitude for God’s provision or crying out amidst a painful circumstance, an intimate connection with God through memorizing His Word allows each moment and each response to be more truth-filled.

Who better to model this part of our lives after than Jesus, who regularly quoted scripture in his teaching as well as when encountering his most challenging and painful moments. It’s clear that he was modeling a reliance on God’s Word as the ultimate source of Truth as well as a practical source of Truth that is meant to impact each moment of our day. And that Truth filled him and overflowed to everyone around him.

All through the Bible we have examples of those who follow God, leaning on memorized scripture that has made its way into the cadence of their lives. And those same people are calling us to do the same. There is no better way to consistently maintain a spirit of obedience, gratitude, wisdom, mission and worship, than to be regularly meditating on memorized scripture throughout the day. And what’s more, it is not just a practice that benefits you, but all those around you, through giving voice to encouragement of fellow believers and clear witness to those who are not yet saved.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-9

How Can I Use This Acts Journal?

This Common Life Bible Memory book is meant to help you and your family take tangible steps toward actually memorizing the selected scripture. We can all try to memorize a verse quickly and cram it into our short-term memory, but the goal here is to memorize lifelong verses. These can be called to mind at a moment’s notice when faced with your own need or someone else’s. So this book aims to aid you in making these verses a part of your personal, internal scripture library.

This book is divided into 3 sections, each with 2 verses to be memorized in each month. And with each verse there are a number of activities you can do that will help you memorize.

  • First, we encourage you to do a slow read of the verse each day. We’re so accustomed to reading everything as fast as we can, that just starting your day with a slow, intentional reading is a great way to begin internalizing the verse. To help with this we’re also providing bookmarks with all the verses written out as well as thin silicone bands with just the first letter of each word, so you can prompt yourself wherever you are.
  • After you read, we have pages in each section just for writing out each verse multiple times. You can visualize that each time you write it out you are etching it more firmly in your mind.
  • Then there are 8 exercises that are a great way for you or your family to engage with the verses and work up toward confidently memorizing the entire verse. Unscrambles, fill-in-the-blanks, word searches and more… they’re all ways to practice your memorization skills.
  • And how will you know you’re making progress? With each verse we included a habit tracker, so as you do the various exercises you can check off the work you did and see your proficiency grow with each one.

How do I get my Book, Bookmark and Bands?

We’re giving them out on Sunday mornings. If you stop by the HUB we’d be happy to help you get started.