23. Practitioner's Podcast: Becoming Equipped for Every Good Work

Hey everybody. Welcome back to the practitioners podcast where we're applying Jesus style disciple-making to every day. This episode in all of our episodes are powered by navigators church ministries which focuses on helping churches make disciples who can make disciples for more information and to get connected.

Check out navigators church ministries.org. Hello Justin. Hello Tony. How's it going? Oh man. Another day in the life of as we record this we're just a couple of days out. From the first bangle Superbowl appearance and 31 years we're both rocking the bangles gear today. I'm super excited. Me too. Me too. Who they for sure.

Yep. Tony we got a not so random question today. Ooh not so random. Cause it's going to tie into our topic of the day but what is your favorite verse that you have memorized? Ooh I'm going to go a favorite verse that I have memorized. Psalm 46 10 be still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations.

Nice. Now is that your favorite verse overall too? man it's the one that I go to a lot in the season. So I I would say that my favorite verses are typically seasoned. Okay. Right right. Like and different seasons I have. And we'll talk more about this in the episode but like in different seasons I've really held on to versus differently.

Okay. I love. First John that no 1 4 7 no one has ever seen God but if we love one another God lives in us and his love is made complete bias. Like it's just you know it's one of those verses that has been with me for awhile. But but yeah Psalm 46 10 is probably my favorite verse in this season.

What about you? Yeah. My favorite verse is Isaiah 44 22 which says I have swept away your offenses like a cloud your sins like the morning mist returned to me for every deemed you. and that's been my favorite for 20 years or so now. but yeah that's fine. So do you hold on to verses and seasons too?

Or is that like your favorite first forever? it hasn't changed. So I don't think it's going to but it might well you know this is actually a really good description of our personality. That's right. One of us is steadfast. The other one's like a fart in a skillet. There you go. Tony today as you know we are talking about scripture memory.

This is one of my favorite topics in the world. because I think that scripture memory is so important and yet so under emphasized in the life of the church and the law in our lives as followers of Christ and I would submit to you and to those listening That scripture memory helps every aspect of our Christian life.

There's no aspect of our Christian life that memorizing scripture does not help. and so I'm really excited to talk about it. let me share with you how I got started in my scripture memory journey. I was 20 21 years old never memorized a verse in my life. And was being discipled for the first time by a staff guy with the navigators.

And he said Hey why don't you memorize this? And he was asking me to do it like in that moment he's like I'll give you three minutes. And I was like oh okay. I didn't know he was serious at first but so I memorized that verse. first John five 11 and 12 and three minutes. And then he had me memorizing I don't recall if it was one verse a week or two verses a week initially but it quickly became two.

And it was great except I really disliked it after about two months because I had memorized these verses. And then he would ask me about some of them that I'd memorized you know six eight weeks ago and I didn't have them anymore. And I actually told them I said well I don't I don't think I want to do this.

And he's like what? Why not? I'm like well because it feels like a waste of my time because I'm memorizing the verses and that takes some effort and work. And as you can see six or eight weeks later I don't have him anymore. And he's like why aren't you? Aren't you reviewing them? I was like No you didn't tell me you didn't say anything about review.

and from there he started to teach me what it looks like. Not only to memorize the verses but also to review them. And for years on end I'd memorize two verses a week. and it just helped me grow like a weed for a long long time. And it's still. Probably the the spiritual discipline that that feeds me the most in my Christian life.

So that's kinda my scripture memory story. Tony I'm sure yours is exactly the same right? The same except I hate memorizing scripture. And I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. So here's the thing about me. I hate being told what to do. Right. And so when I'm the first person to ever challenge me about scripture memory was you.

And it was six years ago ish. And and I. May and I resented everything about that request. We're not going to turn this into a therapy show but but it's probably more about me than it is about you in this particular case. And and so I really just struggled with the idea that I always thought that scripture memory should be natural and organic.

Like like I had held onto some versus. Through difficult seasons as I mentioned before and along the way had kind of memorized them. And so the thought of memorizing them as a task as a discipline it just hadn't sunk in yet until until I really began. To to try to use scripture as the basis of my worldview allow me to explain just a little bit is that when you want to live a biblical worldview life then you must have the Bible as a foundation.

And so when you need that foundation then you need to be able to to kind of go to those places when you need them the most. And so so over the last. We probably argued about memorizing scripture for a couple years. so I would say year six you introduced the concept year four. I decided it might be a good idea.

And then and so for the last three or four years scripture memory has been something that's been a part of my rhythm and and. A hundred percent honest and authentic it still comes and goes right. There are times where I'm really good about working on my scripture memory. And there are times where I put it to the side and I don't pick it back up for months until I'm looking for a verse that I don't have.

And then I get convicted again and you know kind of rinse and repeat you know kind of thing. Yeah. Yeah. So I'm curious Tony. So with that story and especially the recent recency of your picking up the scripture memory habit your initial feelings about it what what has it been like for you what's been the impact for you in your life or how yeah just impact.

So so this is what I'll say right? Is that having scripture at the tip of my tongue when I need it? feels always feels like a huge win in my walk with Christ. Right. And so it gives me a sense of intimacy because I I'm knowing God's word in a different way. And in a lot of ways it's a lot like the gym right?

Like I don't love going to the gym all the time but I never regret a workout when it's over. And so like I never regret having scripture. Scripture memorized when I need the scripture. but doing the work to get the scripture memorized is where I tend to struggle. And so that that's kind of the tension I live in right?

Like I want to be able to run the race. As you know Paul would say I want to be able to run the race faithfully. and this is part of that conditioning so that I can run that race face. I really do think scripture memory builds intimacy in a way that is different than than quiet time or even studying scripture.

Right. Because it's you know it's it becomes part of your DNA in a different way. Yeah. Yeah. That's certainly been my experience. So what I've found is as I've memorized scripture It has allowed God's spirit to communicate to me in specific ways that I know it's him. For sure. Right. And so you know especially as I'm working through San issues in my life or just seeking his guidance or his face in different times like I remember.

real specifically and it's kind of annoying to be honest like I was working on patients for quite a number of years and and so one of the first steps for me working on it was memorizing a verse on patients. And I remember. I don't it was either driving. It's probably both of these driving or standing in line but just feeling really agitated like come on we need to get going.

And that I didn't like stop and think like well what's that verse on patients. It was just there in the front of my mind. And it was my experience of. All right. Got it here. Yeah. all right. I'll try to get back where I need to be. And that has been super helpful. Just that it almost gives the holy spirit a language that I can understand and know it's him 100% when those sorts of experiences happen for me I think I think in a lot of ways scripture memory becomes This pathway to your heart.

And so the like when when you show up in a situation where you need a scripture God will present it. If it's already been imprinted there. But if you don't if you don't have a starting point right? Like even even a poorly memorized scripture is better than no memorized scripture. There are times. I know that I memorize the scripture and I can say most of the words but I may not know the the marking or the place of it.

Right. That that happens on occasion. but. It's it really can be a gift. And it actually it reminds me of a couple of of different scriptures obviously where we pull this from. Right. And I think these two scriptures tie together nicely Ephesians two 10 for we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.

And then second Timothy three 16 and 17 all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching rebuking correcting and training and righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. And I love these scriptures together because they remind me of a quiver of arrows right.

Like Robin hood. And you've got a scripture back here and your. Created in Christ Jesus to do good works and you're thoroughly equipped. And you can just pull that arrow out of the quiver and you can fire it always be on target because I know that if I'm just using my words there's a really good chance that I'm going to mess up.

But if I'm using God's words I'm going to be on target God's word never misses. Oh I love that. Yeah. And I love those scriptures too because especially the second Timothy one we hear that second Timothy three 16 a lot. All scripture is God-breathed but normally we end it and rebuking correcting and training righteousness.

And that's the end when we talk about it normally but 17 tells us why so that. The servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. And so as I think about discipling being a disciple making disciples that verse right there is telling me that the main tool for making disciples and being disciples is the word of God is the scripture.

But then you pair that with Ephesians two 10 where God tells us that we have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works which he has already prepared for us in advance to do. And yet we if we are not thoroughly equipped for every good work for those good works that he's given us then we might move into those situations where God intends us to do a good work and find ourselves unprepared to do it or to do it to the level that God might desire for us to do it.

And so for me that's part of my motivation. It's not the whole of my motivation for sure but it is part of my motivation in terms of. Boy this is important to take the time to memorize scripture to review the scriptures that I memorize. So that like you said it's like pulling that arrow out of the quiver that it's ready.

Right. It's ready for you. Yeah. I think that if if we can always keep that arrow metaphor in mind of course any metaphor breakdown over time but there is something about scripture that's memorized. Can both be defensive and offensive for any situation that you find yourself in. You know I know we're going to talk in a minute about some of the benefits of memorizing scripture but I always think about it.

Like when my kids come to me And they've got a life equation. I need an arrow. I need something that's dependable reliable. That's going to fly straight. That's going to be on target. And so boom scripture memory or when a guy that I'm discipling comes and he wants to talk about this issue or that issue.

Having scripture there saves me the time and energy of a Googling or having to go through my Bible and figuring it out that way. It's just You know it really does get on target and a different. Yeah absolutely. So seven benefits a memorizing scripture. I'm sure there's more because I really do think that there's no aspect of our Christian life that scripture memory doesn't help and what I want to do I'm going to just share the benefit and then I'll give you one verse where we see that supported.

and we can put these in the show notes too if you want to go back to them. but the first one is it helps transform us via substitution. And so if you think of Romans 12 two don't conform any longer the power in this world be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you'll be able to test and approve what God's will is his good pleasing and perfect will.

And so you know it helps us transform by substituting right? The things that were were in our mind to the things that God desires to be there the truth that we find in scripture number two it helps keep us from sin Psalm 1 19 9 through 11. Number three. It helps us in temptation Matthew four one through 11.

That's where Jesus was in the wilderness. and three times when he was tempted by Satan he responded by quoting scripture. And so if that was his response for me I feel like I need to respond in the same way. number four it helps us in witnessing first Peter three 15 you know in your heart set apart Christ as Lord be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give you the reason for the hope that you have.

And so we can do that through sharing with them what we've learned about God and Jesus through the scriptures. Number five it helps us with understanding. Psalm 1 19 99 number six it helps us in ministry or discipling disciple-making. and this is kind of goes right along with the verse who've already shared with second Timothy three 16 and 17.

But also as you mentioned with the quiver. Isaiah 55 11 and has God talk. And he says so is my word that goes out from my mouth. It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I. And then number seven prayer. It helps us in prayer. We can see in Ephesians one and Philippians one that we can be praying scriptures back to God.

And we see the example of that in Paul's ministry and another people in the in the scripture. So those are seven benefits. Again I'm going to put those in the show notes for us. The other thing I would say about scripture memory and Tony I want to get your take on this. I think it is one of those things in life.

That's a small investment and a huge return. It's drips it. Add up to a day luge right? It takes three minutes to memorize verse. to get it initially in. And then after that if you review it once a day a couple times a day it might take you 10 seconds to review it. I mean it's not a huge time investment.

and then it's available for you to meditate on and chew on that. The spirit can use it as we've already talked about but there's just these few things in life that you know they don't take a ton of time but they do take some discipline and they add up to a big big routine. Tony. What's your take on that?

I think one of the things that we underestimate with scripture memory is the coping skill that it can become when life feels overwhelming. Right. And so like again like big return you may not know that you need a scripture at the moment that you call it. Right. Like let me say that a different way.

There is going to be a time in your life. I can almost guarantee it. If you commit to scripture memory that life feels overwhelming and that little three minutes to memorize 10 seconds. May save you from hours of anguish. And I think even on that time kind of return mentally and emotionally and of course spiritually like it's such a big big gift.

And so I I think that we underestimate the Bible as a coping mechanism a lot. and and one of the things I tell high school students all the time when I'm working with fellowship of Christian athletes is that memorizing some verses is a great way to get your head right before a big event. And and it really does become a nice little pressure valve for stress and anxiety.

Hmm. Yeah. I love that. So scripture memory if you haven't tried it just try it just memorize a couple verses and ask God to use him in your life. And I think you'll find that not only will he use them you will find benefits to it and things that you didn't even think would be a part of that. Tony how about our takeaway action step for the.

Yes absolutely. They take away. The word is the primary tool. God has given us to make disciples. The word is the primary tool. God has given us to make disciples and the actions. Simple but not easy. Start your scripture memory habit. Now start your scripture memory. Now have it now. And Hey if I can give a big plug you guys know that we're sponsored by the navigators the navigators have a great online tool the topical memory system.

It's a great way to introduce scripture memory. You can get things on their website. We'll link to that in the show notes as well. If if it feels I know that this can feel overwhelming at times. But I just want you to know that there are lots of tools out there. There's some apps that I have used and some cards and all these things.

Justin I know you have a thought on this. Yeah. One more thing that I didn't mention before but I think it's really important is that scripture memory is not about an academic exercise. Right. So it's not important. How many verses do you know how many of you memorized what's more important is how many of those verses that you've memorized know you?

How many of you allowed to read your life and to move you to application of those verses? Right. That's really what we're talking about. It deepens our life with God. If we allow it to if we're just putting it in our head for academic exercise or to show off with other people. God's not impressed and other people are normally annoyed by that.

So but those takeaway and action step start your scripture memory habit. Now we'll have lots of stuff for you in the show notes. thanks for being with us again today. again if you haven't yet please subscribe and give us a rating wherever you get your podcasts and we'll see you again next week.