Bible Memorization

This is a web-based Bible verse memorization aid based on some ideas I've had for a computer program. This should be a lot easier for me to accomplish. The idea is to present the verses in logically organized groups with background thoughts and perhaps some contextual verses, so that the memorized verses (in bold) aren't floating around randomly and unattached.

I could do a lot of other things with a program, such as allowing the user to arrange the order, having a practice section with different hints, etc. If there isn't already such a program and there's enough interest in having one, I could be persuaded to make the effort.

Remember, if you find the extra verses just distracting or overwhelming, concentrate on the bold ones. Start with a few of the verses and simply read them repeatedly. Don't expect to memorize anything permanently right away. Just keep going over the verses and thinking about their significance, even if you don't seem to be retaining them. Even if you never memorize them word-for-word, it will be a blessing to you to take some time to read and meditate on these verses.

Section 1: Inspiration

While you can't prove that the Bible is inspired just by quoting verses that claims it is, if it didn't even claim to be inspired, there wouldn't be much point in memorizing it. For those who claim to trust or admire the Bible, but don't consider it Divinely Inspired, perhaps these verses will help:

The verses I start with include the reminder that since all the Bible is inspired by God, we shouldn't take any one verse to support our own beliefs.

════════════ 2 Peter 1:19-21 ════════════
19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

This verse makes it clear that the Scriptures, from the beginning, have not been something for men to add to or change as they see fit.

══════════ Deuteronomy 4:1-2 ══════════
1 ¶ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

It's important to note that God inspired the writers of the Bible in many cases with information which they themselves did not understand. That is, they didn't just have "inspired" ideas all their own.

════════════ 1 Peter 1:10-11 ═══════════
10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

This verse tells me that Inspiration was deep, personal, even working on a physical level as well as spiritual and mental.

═══════════ 2 Samuel 23:1-3a ═══════════
1 ¶ Now these [be] the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man [who was] raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word [was] in my tongue. 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me...

This verse records the promise of Jesus that the Holy Spirit would give perfect remembrance to his witnesses. It's also a good verse in support of the doctrine of the Triune nature of God.

═════════════ John 14:25-26 ════════════
25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being [yet] present with you.
26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Even before the message was written down, it was the word of God.

════════ 1 Thessalonians 2:13 ═══════
13 ¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

When Jesus' disciples were confused at his teaching that he was "that bread which came down from heaven" and "he that eateth of this bread shall live forever," he explained to them that he wasn't speaking literally of his body, but of the spirit of his words. Likewise, while the words of all Scripture are inspired, the sounds or printed letters don't have magical powers, but there is life and power in the words through the spirit of their Inspired message.

═════════════ John 6:61-63 ═════════════
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62 [What] and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
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.

To fully understand the Scriptures, the reader must also seek and obtain guidance and opening of his spiritual eyes (figuratively speaking) from the Spirit that Inspired the Bible.

═════════ 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 ═════════
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Finally, I note that the doctrine of Inspiration is important because salvation comes through faith, and ultimately we must have faith in the Word of God, or there is no real hope for us at all.

════════════ Romans 10:13-17 ═══════════
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Section 2: Creation

The Bible begins with God creating the heavens and the Earth, so, having established its claims to Divine Inspiration and power, I now present a very few of the verses relating to creation.

Of course, there's the very first verses of the Bible:
════════════ Genesis 1:1-3 ════════════
1 ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 ¶ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

I don't believe the "Big Bang" theory is true, as it can't be fully reconciled with the creation account, but it is interesting that, long before modern science came to this conclusion that all the matter in the universe popped into existence out of nothing (more or less), people understood by faith in the Bible that matter was not eternal.

════════════ Hebrews 11:1-3 ═══════════
1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Not only did God create our universe by his Son, He still sustains it.

═════════ Colossians 1:12-17 ══════════
12 ¶ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

This passage also confirms the identification of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, as the Creator:

══════════════ John 1:1-3 ═════════════
1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Section 3: Theology

The Bible begins with God as the Creator, but other passages tell us more about Him.

God, the Creator, is not a created being, and is not a material being at all.

═════════════ John 4:23-24 ═════════════
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

God is perfect, just, righteous.
From the last song of Moses, that he taught the Israelites shortly before his death:
══════════ Deuteronomy 32:4 ══════════
4 [He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he.

God is omnipresent: there is no place where you can go and say "God is not here."

════════════ Psalms 139:1-12 ═══════════
1 ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.
4 For [there is] not a word in my tongue, [but], lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 [Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.
7 ¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].
9 [If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee].

God the Son: The Gospel (good news) is that God took on human form in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ:

═════════════ John 20:29-31 ════════════
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The Gospel is that God came and became one of us to save us from sin:

═══════════ 1 Timothy 1:12-15 ══════════
12 ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The gospel "in a nutshell" clearly proclaims the deity of Christ:

═══════════ 1 Timothy 3:16 ══════════
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The unique virgin birth of "God with us" (Immanuel) was foretold long ago.

════════════ Isaiah 7:13-14 ════════════
13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

His coming as a child of man yet still God was also foretold as the Spirit inspired Isaiah:

═════════════ Isaiah 9:6-7 ═══════════
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Witnesses attested that the prophecies have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ:
════════════ Matthew 1:18-23 ═══════════
18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The Incarnation was necessary to redeem us from sin.

═══════════ Galatians 4:1-6 ═══════════
1 ¶ Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

God, in the person of the Son, humbled Himself in becoming an obedient man and suffering death to save us. Having done so, He resumed His place above all.

══════════ Philippians 2:5 ══════════
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;
11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a sinless life.

════════════ Hebrews 4:14-16 ═══════════
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

God, in His mercy and in the person of Jesus Christ, not only died for our sins but rose again in triumph over sin and death for our justification.

═════════ 1 Corinthians 15:1-6a ════════
1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once...

Having accomplished His physical work of redemption on Earth, Jesus ascended into heaven, from whence He will return again.

══════════════ Acts 1:9-11 ═════════════
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

God the Holy Spirit: While God the Son returned to heaven, He sent His Holy Spirit to continue His work in those who believe in Him.

═════════════ John 15:26 ═════════════
26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

The Holy Spirit comforts believers, reproves the world, and glorifies the Son.

═════════════ John 16:5 ═════════════
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
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.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

So these verses (and others) establish the doctrine of the Trinity, or Tri-une (three-in-one) nature of God. Here are some more verses showing the three Persons of the One God.

When God the Son was baptized (as the obedient Son of Man), God the Spirit appeared as a dove and the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven.

════════════ Matthew 3:13-17 ═══════════
13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Son directed his followers to baptize in the name (by the authority) of the three Persons of God

═══════════ Matthew 28:18-20 ══════════
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Paul closed his second letter to the church at Corinth with a blessing invoking all three Persons of the Godhead.

════════ 2 Corinthians 13:14 ════════
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen.

Section 4: Regarding Satan and Sin

Actually, I only have one verse on Satan. Maybe I'll have more someday, but while in other religions (and unfortunately, in many Christian minds) Good and Evil (or, God and Satan, whom they erroneously view as personifications of Good and Evil) are equal and opposite forces, the Bible reveals that Satan is nothing more than a rebellious, fallen angel, and evil is merely a falling away from, falling short of, or distortion of good. Satan is no great god of an underworld, but a deceptive destroyer doomed to defeat.
═════════════ John 8:42-45 ═════════════
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.

On the other hand, sin is a big problem that we all have to deal with. The Law was given in the Old Testament to spell it out for us.
═════════════ 1 John 3:4 ════════════
4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

While God allows us to choose to sin, He does not tempt us. Nor is temptation always the work of the Devil or demons, but our own lusts always have a role.
═════════════ James 1:13-15 ════════════
13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

This inward source of sin has been with us since Adam and Eve first sinned, and brought about the judgement of the Flood, so that Mankind wouldn't bring about something worse.
════════════ Genesis 6:5 ════════════
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.

Nobody is better than anyone else -- we all sin, we are all sinners.
═════════════ Romans 3:9-12 ═════════════
9 What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

All have sinned, and none of us deserve to go to heaven and live eternally with God, but in His mercy God provided a way.
════════════ Romans 3:21 ════════════
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Section 5: Salvation

There are many verses about salvation.
While we are all sinners doomed to die, God freely offers eternal life.

════════════ Romans 6:23 ════════════
23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It doesn't matter how bad your sins are, Jesus Christ can make you pure in God's eyes.

════════════ Isaiah 1:18 ════════════
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

To come to God to accept the gift of salvation, you must turn from your own way.

═════════ 2 Corinthians 7:9 ════════
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Jesus told Paul he was chosen to lead people to repentance.

═════════════ Acts 26:18 ════════════
18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Jesus explained that belief in him was God's way of salvation:

═════════════ John 3:16 ══════════════
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

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