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Bible Memorization, anyone?

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Would anyone like to join me for a Bible memorization challenge during the last 5 months of this year?

The plan would be to memorize the book of Philippians.  That’s right, the whole book.

My plan is to use the approach that Dr. Andrew Davis uses, which you can read about in his booklet An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture (pdf – no charge).  Download the booklet and take a look (also available on Kindle for a few pennies).  He talks a little about the value of memorizing whole books of the Bible, and how he does it for long-term benefits.

I’m waffling on one part of his approach.  He actually memorizes verse numbers along with the text.  Now I’m sure you can imagine the possible downsides the this approach (especially in an era when the ESV Reader’s Bible is being so heavily promoted – although please note that English in sentences and paragraphs is not the way the books were originally written!).

Here’s what he says the benefits are:

This will help prevent you from dropping out verses or even whole paragraphs when you’re reciting the book all the way through. It will also help you in being able to pick individual verses out to quote to someone for ministry or evangelistic purposes. Finally, it will help you to be able to recall the verses as you are reading Christian books that cite them… you won’t have to look them up! … It actually makes memorization easier in the long run!

Well, he’s very convincing but I’m not sure if I’ll do this or not.  So we’ll call that part “optional”.

This time I’m going to memorize in English, although hopefully I’ll have time to read and reread the book in Spanish too.

Why Philippians?  Well, if you’ve listened to the news lately you can probably see why a book that talks about joy and hope in the midst of suffering would be appropriate.

The Details

Ok, so there are 104 verses in the book, and starting in August there are over 21 weeks to the end of the year.  That allows us to memorize 6 verses a week with about 3 weeks to spare in case we fall behind.

That way we should be able to memorize the book by the end of 2014.  If we follow Dr. Davis’ system, the next step would be to recite it every day for 100 days in 2015 (that takes us the end of April).  This shouldn’t take much/any “extra” time, since you can do it while you walk, drive, shower, etc.

Dr. Davis has even more suggestions beyond the 100 days to help you remember the book, be encouraged by the book, and keep your memory accurate.  The long and the short of it is that we will be able to enjoy this epistle anytime anywhere for the rest of our lives.

If you’d like to take the challenge, leave a comment!  It’s more fun to memorize with friends!

A Letter from Christ

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As we’ve travelled I’ve been noticing how often people and organizations want to put their name on things.  I’m talking about things like,”We sponsored this marathon”.  Or, “this playground equipment was donated by…”.

Even Christians and churches do this sometimes, and I suppose there’s a time for that.  But thankfully, our greatest accomplishments aren’t parks or a buildings.

That’s why I love Paul’s words in 2Corinthians 3.  He had invested a lot in this church, and yet some questioned his credentials as an apostle.  What kind of sign or certificate did he need?

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?  Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?

But there has already been a sign put up – a letter of recommendation.  He continues…

You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.  And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.  Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.

Letter of the heartIt’s not the local park or gymnasium that gives us our value or our reputation.  It’s our investment in people.

Letters from Christ
Delivered by us
Written not with ink
But with the Spirit of the Living God

Of course Paul realizes that the real power comes from God, not us.  He continues…

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…

He goes on to talk about the new covenant, revealed in Jesus Christ…

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

We do not lose heart.  Our names may not be on plaques or walls or on billboards.  But our goal is to be a part of the process that brings someone to the glory of Jesus Christ – the power of the Spirit – the mercy of God.

Of course we can’t really see human hearts – but someday the hidden will be revealed.  And maybe you and I will have some small part in the eternal life of another person – a letter from Christ.

Feeling Pressure to Perform?

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Do you ever feel pressure to do “good things” so that people can see how cool Christianity is?

This week I’ve been meditating a bit on Matthew 5:16… let me give a bit of context.

Jesus was talking to His followers about persecution.  We are blessed when people say nasty things about us because we follow Him.  We come from a long line of persecuted people.  If you’re reading this, you haven’t suffered like a lot of the prophets and apostles did – they were killed for their faith.

Then Jesus says:

You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

“Let your light shine…”  I wonder if we sometimes use this as a prod to push people to do things – just for the sake of showing “good works” to the world.

You know, in order to have something to put on our church website about our church’s “community involvement”.  In order to have something to put in the next missionary prayer letter.

But many believers have suggested (rightly, I think) that this light is not directly from us – it’s like a reflected light.  The redeemed shine because it’s their nature – they have been transformed by the True Light – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

As the book of Daniel says:

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3

Let your light shine...

Jesus’ emphasis is not that we need to try to make the light shine, we need to add a little fuel to make it brighter, we need to try really hard to keep Satan from “blowing it out”.

No, the light is already shining.  We just need to “let” it shine.

In fact, Jesus warns against doing good works “to be seen by men” (Matthew 6:1).  He condemned the scribes and pharisees for doing just that (see Matthew 23:5).

We really can’t please the world and God (Matthew 6:24).  Quite often those who please people are not pleasing God – “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Jesus in Luke 16:15)

So I don’t see this pressure in the Bible to “perform”.  There are times to keep your good works a secret.  And there are times to simply allow your light to shine.  Praise God in front of whoever, because that’s what you do (Psalm 18:49).

Other believers should glorify God when they see their brothers and sisters in the faith sharing the Gospel and giving generously, for example (2Corinthians 9:11-15):

… the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ … Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Those who do not know God should notice our good works, even though they oppose us.  The Apostle Peter gives us a classic example of this in 1Peter 2:12:  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, that is, live a life of integrity, whether with believers or unbelievers.  Why? so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

They will glorify God – but not yet.  Right now they speak against you.  They call you evil.  They may even physically persecute you.  But someday they will realize that it was God’s light shining through you.

Should we push ourselves and each other to do good works?  Of course (Hebrews 10:24-25) – but we should not feel pressure to “perform” before the world.  Instead, we should let our light shine wherever we are.  Live a life of honesty and generosity – wherever we are.

So go ahead – give, reach out, help the community.  Maybe even put it on the church website or in the newsletter if it’s appropriate.

But let the good works come from a transformed heart, a heart supplied richly by the Spirit, not from some pressure to show the world how good you are.  Let the generosity be done with joy, as from someone who has been given much from God.

Let God work in your heart, and He will work through you.

And in the end, worshippers will someday sing before God’s throne:

Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Revelation 15:4

Whose righteous acts?

The Apostle Paul puts this wonderfully in the earlier part of 2Corinthians 9 which I mentioned above…

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

1Corinthians 9:7-10

Spiritual Discernment: Index (Notes on Discernment)

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This is an index of the somewhat-random posts on discernment, based on the spiritual discernment study we did here in the month of February.  I’m dividing them up to give you a basic idea of how we did this over four weeks, in case anyone ever wants to try something similar.

Of course, the whole study isn’t here – just a few key thoughts.

And remember, in this case I actually started with a sermon before the four weeks, but hopefully the study more or less stands on its own.

Week 1: Why Discernment?

Why does the Bible tell us to discern?  Whose responsibility is it to be discerning?

Week 2: The Skill of Discernment

How can I grow to be a discerning person?  What does the Bible say about false teaching?  How do I go about finding the truth for myself?

Week 3: Responding to Truth and Error

If I see a problem in my own life, I should hold fast to the good and abstain from the evil (1Thessalonians 5:21-22).  But what if I think I see sin or error in someone else?  Should I respond?  When?  How?

Week 4: Practising Discernment

Can I recognize common errors?  Do I understand how to respond in love?

Spiritual Discernment

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:9-10

Discernment: Wrapping It Up (Notes on Discernment)

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The last study on discernment was maybe a bit of a risk, but it was fun.  I took four important questions and gave a common false teaching on each one (common in our area).

Yes, I was very clear that the teaching was false, and then I took the time to clean up the mess afterwards. 🙂

Part of the risk is that it often takes longer to explain the truth from Scripture than an error.  When you’re free to take verses out of context, ignore parallel passages, make things up out of thin air – well, that’s just easier than digging to find out what the Bible is really saying.

I’m not going to get into this now, but the four questions were:

  • Who is Jesus?
  • What is the Gospel?
  • What are the Scriptures?
  • Why does God bless us?

The benefit is that it gave us the opportunity to see the many ways you can completely miss the truth, or hide it.  Eventually we all have to get out into the world of ideas, pull out our brains, and get to work.

I did stick to things that most people already have to deal with.  Because, after all, our job is not to go searching for new error.  We don’t want to invite more confusion.  It’s much more fun to enjoy the truth.  As Paul put it in Philippians 4:8-9:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

We ended our study with a few thoughts.  In reviewing our study, we were reminded that discernment may take time and effort, but the rewards are forever.

And we should never forget the keywords – Patience, Humility, and Grace – when interacting with others.

To close out this topic for now (I will post once more to bring it all together), here are a few thoughts related to discernment from Ephesians 5.  They remind us of another keyword we should never forget – love:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
…
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
…
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Spiritual Discernment

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Discernment: 6 Questions to Ask (Notes on Discernment)

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So you think you see sin in someone’s life.  Or you think that something is being taught that isn’t right.  What should you do?

I just love this classic cartoon:

Something is wrong.
Source: xkcd

Yeah, there’s always something wrong, isn’t there?  If you want to spend all your time correcting all the horrible errors on the internet, well – – – don’t!

Wouldn’t it be better to spend some time enjoying the Truth?

And yet the Bible does have a lot to say about being discerning, correcting error, helping others avoid sin.

I think that these six questions might help us pause and reflect before we jump into every battle out there…

To evaluate…

  1. How serious is this error/sin?  All of God’s Word is important, but saying that there were 15 tribes of Israel is not the same as denying that Jesus is God.
  2. How might this affect my community and me?  Maybe a strange belief of a sect on the other side of the world just isn’t as urgent to correct as something dangerous that my next door neighbour believes.
  3. What is my relationship with this person?  Frankly, that person in the internet forum likely won’t listen to you the way your best friend will.

To decide…

  1. How could I/we glorify God in this situation?  This isn’t about us, it’s about God first.
  2. How could I/we protect my/our community and me/us? (not sure how all that grammar works, but you get the idea)  If someone is coming at your wife with a knife, don’t discuss morality and the sin nature.  Protect your wife first!
  3. How could I/we help this person?  Sometimes it’s only the church that asks this question.  Because sometimes this person has sinned against us – in a serious way.  Our ultimate goal should not be to prove we’re right, humiliate someone, or even execute justice.  When possible, the ultimate goal should be to help – to restore – to forgive.  (Sometimes this either isn’t possible for us, or sometimes the path may be through justice, for example.  But as God loved us as the “ungodly”, we should do the same.)

What to do?

Neither in my study nor in these internet posts do we really have time to flesh out specific responses.  The Bible gives us a lot of guidance here, in situations that are often complex.

Maybe there are times to name someone in public and point out the error.  Jesus did it (Revelation 2:20), as did Paul (2Timothy 4:10) and John (3John 1:9-11), among others.

Spiritual Discernment

But usually, we’ll be talking with someone in private (see James 5:19-20; Matthew 18:15; Leviticus 19:16-18).

Sometimes, when the issue is small, you may not mention it at all (Proverbs 19:11).

For further study, some passages to start with might be Matthew 18:15-20, Matthew 5:23-26, 2Timothy 2:14-26, and the book of Jude.

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