1. Story of Howard Rutledge, POW in Vietnam

2. History of the Waldenses

3. John Huss (c. 1369-1415)

4. John N. Andrews (1829-1883)

5. H.M.S. Richards (1894-1985)

6. Randy Skeete

7. WHY should we memorize Bible verses?

A. What are the TWO things that man lives on?

Matthew 4:4

KJV 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

WEB 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’”

B. What can hiding God’s word in our heart (memorizing) do for us?

Psalm 119:11

KJV 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

WEB 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

C. How has God asked us to treat His Word?

2 Timothy 2:15

KJV 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

WEB 15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

D. How did the prophet Jeremiah relate to God’s Word?

Jeremiah 15:16

KJV 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

WEB 16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.

E. In what FOUR ways can the Scriptures help us to be perfect?

2 Timothy 3:16-17

KJV 16 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

WEB 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

F. How vital is it for us to memorize/internalize Scripture?

John 6:53-54

KJV 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

WEB 53 Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. 54 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:63

KJV 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

WEB 63 It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

G. What will be the result of beholding the character of God in His Word?

2 Corinthians 3:18

KJV 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

WEB 18 But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

H. How does Paul say believers should relate to the Scriptures?

Colossians 3:16

KJV 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

WEB 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

I. What does Jesus say we will be able to do if His words abide in us?

John 15:7

KJV 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

WEB 7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.

J. How much value did Job place on God’s Words?

Job 23:12

KJV 12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

WEB 12 I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

K. What crucial spiritual component is based on the Word of God?

Romans 10:17

KJV 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

WEB 17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

L. What will memorizing Scripture enable us to do?

1 Peter 3:15

KJV 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

WEB 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,

M. How does Scripture impact our mind?

Romans 12:2

KJV 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

WEB 2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

N. What will happen to those who neglect to memorize God’s Word?

Amos 8:11-12

KJV 11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

WEB 11 Behold, the days come,” says the Lord Yahweh, “that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing Yahweh’s words. 12 They will wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will run back and forth to seek Yahweh’s word, and will not find it.

8. WHEN should we memorize Bible verses?

A. When should we meditate/memorize God’s Word?

Joshua 1:8

KJV 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

WEB 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

B. What are FOUR occasions when should talk about God’s Word?

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

KJV 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

WEB 6 These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; 7 and 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 up. 8 You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.

C. When does the Psalmist say a person should meditate on God’s Word?

Psalm 1:1-2

KJV 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

WEB BOOK 1 1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.

D. Why does David anticipate the nighttime hours?

Psalm 119:148

KJV 148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

WEB 148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

E. When does God waken His people to hear and learn from His Word?

Isaiah 50:4

KJV 4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

WEB 4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

9. HOW to Memorize Scripture

A. PRAY

Ask for God to strengthen your mind to know His Word.

John 16:13

KJV 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

WEB 13 However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

B. TIME

Make it a daily priority! Look for extra minutes each day waiting, nothing, etc.

C. STUDY

Study the verse to carefully grasp the full meaning of the verse.

D. TECHNOLOGY

iPads, tablets, smartphones, mp3 players, apps, etc. (ScriptureTyper)

E. AUDIO

Do two things at once! (e.g. driving, exercising, cleaning, walking dog, etc.)

F. COMMITMENT

Make it a daily priority! Don’t allow anything to crowd out your study.

G. CONSISTENCY

Cultivate a habit that will grow stronger and stronger each day.

H. READING/WRITING

Speaking or writing will make a stronger impression on mind.

I. SHARE

Think of others you can share verses with!

J. VISIBILITY

Use note cards, post-it notes to display verses. Also use for desktop wallpaper, screen savers, etc.

K. PERSONAL APPLICATION

Think of how each verse applies to you!

L. REVIEW

Make sure to review all verses from time to time.

10. Spirit of Prophecy Statements ​→ See “​Last Day Events”​, pages 66,67.

A. Christ’s Example

B. Improve EVERY Opportunity

C. Extremely Valuable

D. “No one can take it from us.”

E. Simple, Earnest, Faith → COL 59.3

11. Ten Verses to Start Today!!

1. 2 Timothy 2:15

   KJV 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

   WEB 15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

   
   
2. John 17:17

   KJV 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

   WEB 17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

   
   
3. Psalm 119:105

   KJV 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

   WEB NUN 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

   
   
4. Isaiah 26:3

   KJV 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

   WEB 3 You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.

   
   
5. Matthew 4:4

   KJV 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

   WEB 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’”

   
   
6. Luke 19:10

   KJV 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

   WEB 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

   
   
7. John 12:32

   KJV 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

   WEB 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

   
   
8. 2 Corinthians 5:17

   KJV 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

   WEB 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

   
   
9. Philippians 1:21

   KJV 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

   WEB 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

   
   
10. Revelation 1:3

    KJV 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

    WEB 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.

Isaiah 45:22

KJV 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

WEB 22 “Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

(My favorite verse!)