Scripture memory was not always important to me. I had the bible next to my bed and on my phone, so I could always reference those when needed, right?

There was an older woman I knew - Fran - who knew scripture like the back of her hand. She referenced it in conversation constantly, not in a prideful way, but to encourage the people she spoke with, and in thoughtful faith-based conversations. I admired her and considered her wise, but I had zero inclination that I could ever memorize scripture like her. The few times I fervently attempted to memorize just one or two verses it would just NOT stick in my head. So I essentially gave up. I knew John 3:16, The Lord's Prayer, and part of the Shema "Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is One" from earlier in life (when things stuck better), and that was about it.

Then one day my daughter wanted to know what some words on a necklace of mine said. They were in Hebrew (it was the Shema - Deut 6:4). I told her but every night she still asked. Being a songwriter, I decided to put those 11 words to a tune, in Hebrew and then in English. She sang it with me perfectly after the first couple nights. I knew there was more to the Shema and I wanted her to learn it, so I put the next few verses (vs. 5-9) to a tune. She memorized it with ease...but what was crazy was...so did I! I had tried before without a melody with no success. But within a week, through a melody, I had memorized 5 more verses. What?!

It wasn't just the memorization that I was stoked about. We all had the words & tune stuck in our heads for weeks. As I mumbled it continually, the meaning of it began to feel like a lot more than just words. The passage began to unfold and settle deeply in my spirit. I was to teach His ways to my children. Not just at a set instruction time, but all day every day. As we walked. As we sat together. As they went to bed, as they rose from bed. This wasn't a cute song, these were life instructions for how my children would grow up trusting in YHWH and the Messiah. My part to play was to teach them constantly! Both in word and action.

Did I know that before? Yes. I "knew" it. And I sort of did it too, sort of. But as I sang it aloud and it sank into my inner being it became a life mission, not just a known instruction.

I began making tunes to foundational scripture passages (in their context): The 10 Commandments, the armor of God, John 3:16-20 (going beyond 16 really opens up the context of that scripture)! Both the children and I were not just memorizing, but we were discussing and meditating on what these scriptures meant and how they play out in our everyday life. Memorizing scripture puts the Word in your mouth, on your tongue, on your mind and in your spirit. You can't help but think more deeply about the words. My favorite part still is randomly hearing whatever passage we're working on being sung by one or all of their sweet little voices somewhere in the house. 

You know that phrase, "You don't know what you don't know until you know it?" I did not know that scripture memory was a blessing until I started doing it. It's not about having knowledge of the Bible, though that is good, it's not the most important part. It's about having the Living Word of God soak into your soul, His instructions, His encouragement, the written truth of who He is and who we are in Him. 

Whether my children have fully grasped every verse to it's full extent, I don't know (have I even? probably not). But I do know that their inner scripture storehouse is going to be loaded to the brim. Someday when they need to access their scripture stores, the Holy Spirit has the key and He will open it up and feed it to their souls. Now, when I'm going through a hard time or if (God forbid) someday I'm stuck in prison for my radical beliefs in Yeshua as Messiah - my storehouse is full of His life-giving Word and I will sing it out loud to remind myself of His promises, give Him praise and continually adore my Savior. Maybe others around me will be encouraged by His Word, too.

So why do I/we memorize scripture? I do it 
-so my mouth is continually speaking life over my family and those around me.
-so when someone is having a hard time I can encourage them. 
-to remind myself and my children what the truth is.
-because I want to understand His Ways in the most well rounded way possible.
-because I want to worship my Father and King in Spirit and Truth.

...But His delight is in the law of YHWH and He meditates on it both day and night...
Psalm 1:2

Scripture memory is a spiritual discipline Yeshua and his disciples grew up practicing, so...I want to do it and teach my children to do it, too. Better late than never!

Blessings,
Stasia @The Revere Project