Becoming Like Jesus: Scripture MemorizationSample

A Special Possession

From the very beginning, God has wanted you to know Him and understand what it means to be loved by Him. And no matter how many times we rejected Him, rebelled, and ran away, He never stopped chasing us. Why? Because He is our God, and we are His people.

The day will come when all of creation recognizes Jesus for who He is, but until that day comes, as God’s special possession, we have an important part to play. We get to be messengers of God’s goodness—inviting anyone and everyone to return to Him.

Pray ...

God, You are so kind to me. Remind me of all the ways You’ve shown up in my life. Thank You for Jesus and for inviting me to be a part of Your kingdom. It blows my mind that You call me Yours. I want to live for You. Show me where I can bring light to dark places and healing to broken things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read ...

Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:3-6 NIV

Consider ...

God didn’t stop working after He rescued the Jewish people from Egypt. His ultimate goal wasn’t yet complete, because God wants all people everywhere to return to Him. This is why, after the deliverance of the Jewish people, God formed them into the nation of Israel and gave them a mission. He wanted them to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Through their worship and devotion to God, they were meant to be a picture to the rest of the world of what life is like when God is in charge.

Unfortunately, the Israelites didn’t do a very good job. Instead of being holy, like God, they were like all the other nations. Instead of obeying God fully and keeping His covenant, they disobeyed repeatedly and rarely (if ever) kept up their end of the deal.

And then Jesus showed up. He never disobeyed God. He always kept up His end of the deal. Because of our failure to do our part, we owed a debt we couldn’t pay. Because of His faithfulness, He paid a debt He didn’t owe.

Now, a new kingdom has been formed. A kingdom that is no longer defined by the borders of ancient Israel but is marked by baptism into God’s family. By the power of the Spirit and under the leadership of King Jesus, we are meant to be a picture of what life is like when God is in charge: Where love is the law of the land, the last are first, the least are most, and the lost are found.

We are God’s special possession, and He has given us a special purpose, to share the message of His mercy and love with the rest of the world.

What are some ways you show other people what living for God is really like? Are there times when you struggle to do that well? Who is someone who inspires you to keep growing in your faith? What advice do you think they would give you when it comes to doing your part in God’s mission?

Practice ...

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV

Read over these verses a few times out loud. Then, do your best to recite them without looking. Check how close you got. If it was pretty close, try it a few more times and see if you can get it just right! If it wasn’t close, try breaking it down into smaller chunks. Repeat each chunk a few times before moving on to the next one. Then, to cap it all off, write the passage down word for word to finish on a strong note.

Listen ...

Start by setting a timer for 5–10 minutes.

Then, create space in your mind and heart to hear from God. Lead into your listening by using those verses from 1 Peter as a prayer:

God, thank You for choosing me to be Yours. Because of Your relentless grace, You have made me a member of Your priesthood, a citizen of Your holy nation, and Your own special possession. Once I was trapped in darkness, but You have called me into Your wonderful light. So I’m going to declare Your praises to anyone and everyone who will listen. Once, I was lost and alone. But now, I am a part of Your family. Once, I was a mess of my own making, but now I am made new by Your mercy. Today, I commit to serving You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next, ask God to speak to you. And then, simply listen.

When you get distracted, come back to Jesus by reading the verses or repeating the prayer above. Say them out loud. Focus on each line and let the truth you are learning redirect your thoughts.