We need to feel what the Psalmist wrote, "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psalm 119:97). Memorize Romans 8 with our church family!

Loving Christ by Memorizing His Word

In his recent work, A Peculiar Glory, John Piper reflects on his love of the Bible, "I did not simply hold a view of the Bible for seven decades. I was held by a view through the Bible". So I ask myself this question, "Am I held?" Is the Scripture gripping the affections of my heart? As I reflect on my own love of Scripture, I find that in the midst of my waxing and waning, the means of grace which has enabled me to exclaim along with the Psalmist, "Oh how I love your law!" has been through the intentional appropriation of what he says next in that same verse. "It is my meditation all the day". I know of no better way to mediate upon and muse over the Scriptures than through memorizing it. And this is why I am challenging our church family to pursue our joy in Christ through His Word together by memorizing Romans 8 by October 30.

Why Romans 8?

Romans 8 is a theological treasure chest. Its fruits beg to be tasted and enjoyed and shared with others. Feeling condemned? Verse 1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus"  Battling sin? John Owen, in The Mortification of Sin, would point you to verse 13 " For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live". Suffering and need perspective? Verse 18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Or, verse 28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Struggling with waiting? Verse 32 "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" Need joy? The entire chapter!

The Plan

I've put together a memorization plan with sections of verses to work on each week along with five review weeks built in. It begins with just the first 3 verses to be memorized by August 21. Then it picks up steam. Verses highlighted in yellow are key verses that would be good for younger children to work on who may not be ready for an entire chapter. 

Romans 8 Memorization Plan
Memory Plan – Have these passages memorized by the date listed below:
August 21 – Romans 8:1-3
August 28 – Romans 8:4-9
September 4 – Romans 8:1-9 (Review Week)
September 11- Romans 8:10-17
September 18 – Romans 8:1-17 (Review Week)
September 25 – Romans 8:18-25
October 2 – Romans 8:1-25 (Review Week)
October 9 – Romans 8:26-30
October 16 – Romans 8:1-30 (Review Week)
October 23 – Romans 8:31-39
October 30 – Romans 8:1-39 (Final Week!)

Key Verses : verses 1, 13, 18, 26, 28, 31-31, 38-39 These verses mighty be good for younger children to work on who may not be ready for an entire chapter.

Some helpful resources for memorizing Scripture:

Fighter Verses App - I really like this app. It includes fill-in-the-blank quizzes, etc. for the verses you are memorizing. Also has a widget you can move to the home screen of your home which will show the verse you are memorizing word-for-word - a great quick reference for working on your verse. It can be purchased for $2.99 through Google Play , Amazon, and iTunes.

The Verses Project - Quality produced songs for various ESV translation passages of Scripture. Some portions of Romans 8 are available. All free!

Seeds Family Worship - Catered towards families, this ministry produces various songs and music videos for various ESV translation passages of Scripture. CDs and dowloads are available for purchase on their website, but you can also watch/listen to many free songs and videos through You Tube.