An Easy Way to Memorize the Beatitudes

Not long ago, I helped a group of young adults memorize the famous verses below using hand motions. Perhaps you can do the same. (Adapt to whichever translation you normally use. We used ESV for this memorization project.) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Flat hand patting down on … Continue reading An Easy Way to Memorize the Beatitudes

What are the Four Most Important Spiritual Disciplines?

The four most important spiritual disciplines are: 1) scripture, 2) prayer, 3) church, and 4) mission. No other spiritual disciplines rise to the level of importance of these four. Two questions clarify why these are the most important spiritual disciplines. Which spiritual disciplines are most emphasized in the Bible? Which spiritual disciplines will most effectively … Continue reading What are the Four Most Important Spiritual Disciplines?

Three Paragraphs I Wrote that Seemed to Offend a Lot of People

Of all the things I have ever written, there are three consecutive paragraphs I once wrote that seem to have offended more people than anything else I’ve ever written. Please understand, I really don’t like to offend people. I am committed to—even passionate about—speaking (and writing) truth with grace. My problem in the case of … Continue reading Three Paragraphs I Wrote that Seemed to Offend a Lot of People

Why We Should Stop Using The Message

This article was originally posted at the Good Book Blog on November 2, 2016. I'm re-posting it because I still know people who are using The Message--and it's still a problem. It’s time we stopped reading, buying, and recommending The Message. We who hold to a high view of Scripture—that the Bible is the very word of God, … Continue reading Why We Should Stop Using The Message

What Does “As the Deer Pants for the Water” Mean (Psalm 42:1)?

I used to love Psalm 42. I still do. But now it’s for a slightly different reason. When I was younger, I often quoted the first words of the Psalm as an expression of passion for God. I understood it to be an expression of zeal to know God…an intense longing to be close to … Continue reading What Does “As the Deer Pants for the Water” Mean (Psalm 42:1)?

Persecution and Scripture Memorization

In the early 1950’s in Communist Russia, three charismatic pastors came up with a risky idea they thought might be worth doing despite the risk. Nik Ripken, in his outstanding book about persecution, The Insanity of God, explains that: “…they planned and organized a youth congress in Moscow and invited all of the young, unmarried … Continue reading Persecution and Scripture Memorization

Bible Memorization and the Problem of Changing Bible Translations

This post will address two sets of questions: 1) What translation should I use when I memorize the Bible? and 2) What if I have already memorized a passage? Should I try to update what I have already memorized to a new or updated translation? My family of birth began attending church when I was … Continue reading Bible Memorization and the Problem of Changing Bible Translations

Quoting Scripture in the Night

I stumbled upon a new spiritual discipline this past year. It isn’t new in the sense that no one has ever done it before—quite to the contrary (see more below)—nor new in that I myself have never done it in the past. But it is new in the sense that this is the first time … Continue reading Quoting Scripture in the Night

A List of Psalms to Memorize

Would you like to use some of the extra time you have right now to memorize Scripture? I have previously written about the importance of memorizing and engaging with Scripture. But I realized a few years ago that there was a gaping hole in my own memorization program—the book of Psalms. I was facing some … Continue reading A List of Psalms to Memorize

The Easiest Way to Memorize the Bible: What I Learned from Dr. John Mitchell

Today I'm excited to share with you a piece that I wrote a number of years ago about memorizing the Bible. This little article has probably been read by more people than anything else I've written in my life. I hope that it will increase your desire and confidence to keep hiding God's Word in … Continue reading The Easiest Way to Memorize the Bible: What I Learned from Dr. John Mitchell