It happens to me all the time. I'm in the middle of a conversation with someone and I'm trying to recall some factoid, but after 10 seconds or so, I whip out my phone to Google what my memory has failed to instantaneously provide.
I know many educators who think that if you can find the answer with a quick search, then it doesn't need to be memorized. Save the students' thinking power for more rigorous work.
I am not one of those educators. I believe that there is enough evidence to show that when we train our brains to memorize material, it helps build stronger neural connections so that we can apply the learned content to new learning situations. I won't go further into what I've learned about how our brains work, but if you're interested, let me know and I'll pass along a couple of resources.
But what does memory work have to do with Deuteronomy 6:6-7? When I was meditating and memorizing these verses, it struck me that in order to have God's commandments upon my heart, I have to know them. Not just be able to look them up online or even in my Bible. No. I have to know them for myself in my mind and heart. If God calls me to have conversations with others about His Word, then I better have those Scriptures handy.
While some may believe that memorizing anything, much less God's Word, is an archaic learning strategy, those of us who practice it can testify otherwise. There are clear benefits to impressing Scripture into our thoughts.
The book from which I am choosing my verses from, 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart by Robert J. Morgan, gives seven benefits to committing Bible verses to memory:
- It gives us clearer thoughts.
- It steadies our nerves.
- It allows us to have healthier emotions.
- We have purer habits.
- We have happier homes.
- We have greater respect.
- We will gain an eternal optimism.
I can think of additional reasons...
- Even if I don't have my Bible with me (or my phone) I have God's Word with me.
- I learn God's voice.
- I can more easily discern Truth from lies.
- I am more inspired and have greater vision.
- I am able to hold myself more accountable to being obedient to God.
Let's not loose the art of memorizing Scripture because a search engine can recall it for us. Let's continue to be intentional about hiding God's Word in our heart so that our lives are marked different by everyone with whom we come into contact.
