Becoming Like Jesus: Scripture MemorizationSample

People of Mercy

Today is the final day of this Plan and our two-week Scripture memorization, truth internalization boot camp. Before we wrap things up, let’s remember some of the big ideas we’ve covered along the way.

Scripture Memorization is a practice that helps us internalize the truth of God’s word so that we actually believe it and really live it. Our verses focused on our identity as people saved by grace and chosen by God. Because the way we see ourselves impacts what we believe about everything else. Said another way, your view of you drives everything you do. This is why it is essential to make sure that your view of yourself lines up with what God says about you. Because what He says about you is always true.

All of this is discipleship: the process of becoming like Jesus for the sake of others. The Christian life is about so much more than praying sometimes and going to church occasionally. It’s about going where Jesus goes, doing what He does, trusting what He says, and loving how He loves. Following Jesus is about being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and living the life Jesus would live if He were you. That’s a really tall order, and it’s not something we can do on our own. We need His help. Thankfully, when we receive His grace, we also receive the Holy Spirit, who works in us to make us holy. He gives us the power to change our lives and do what Jesus asks us to do.

Because God isn’t finished. There is still work to be done: People who need saving, wrongs that need righting, and pain that needs healing. God wants you to partner with Him in His good plans for the world. Jesus didn’t die so we could sit comfortably on the couch. He died and rose again to rescue us from sin and bring us back to Him. He conquered sin, death, and darkness so that we could get our old jobs back.

So, let's get to work.

Pray …

Lord Jesus, I want to encounter You in these words. Don’t let me turn this into a time of going through the motions or checking off a list. Create a desire in me to be in Your presence and to be confronted by Your truth. Shape me. Form me. Remake me to be more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read …

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:4-10 NLT

Consider …

God is so rich in mercy. He loves you so much. While we were dead in our sins, He sent Jesus to bring us back to life. This is the gift we have been given. Not because of anything we did to earn it or deserve it. All of it is because of God’s goodness and kindness.

Sin made a mess of us and the world, but God’s mercy is making all things new. Starting with us. The dead parts of us are being removed. Light and life are taking their place. God is doing a complete renovation on our hearts. Once again, this isn’t because we’re better or smarter or more spiritual than anyone else. It’s because He loves us and will never stop calling us home.

In addition to remaking us, He is sending us out to carry His mercy to others. He has entrusted us to get the message out there. The Apostle Paul said it this way, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24 NIV).

This is the good work God has prepared you for, the good work He has saved you for: telling the story of how Jesus changed you, and how Jesus can change others too.

You are who you are today because you have received the mercy of God. Now it’s your turn. Let God turn you into a messenger of mercy. Live in such a way that other people can see how much God’s mercy has transformed you. When you do, people will realize you have found the very thing they’ve been searching for, and God will be glorified.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:36 NIV

What truths about God have you learned in this Plan? What are the truths about yourself? Where has God surprised you? Where has He challenged you? What things do you want to keep exploring?

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

On this last day of this Plan, write these verses out one more time on a sheet of paper, in your journal, or on a notecard. Read them out loud a few times. Then, close your eyes, ask God for His help, and do your best to recite the words without looking.

How’d you do? If you haven’t gotten it completely memorized, don’t beat yourself up! The goal of this journey isn’t to collect a whole bunch of Bible verses, but to commit ourselves to the practice of allowing God’s words to become our words. If you’ve made it this far, pat yourself on the back and celebrate the commitment and consistency you’ve demonstrated! It’s a big deal and God absolutely uses it!

Listen …

Set a timer for 5–10 minutes.

Find a quiet place and get alone with God. Maybe it’s outside, in your bedroom, or in your car. Just be still and listen to what God may be saying to you.

Ask Him to speak. And then, simply listen.

When you get distracted from your listening, come back to Jesus by meditating on one of the memory verses. Ask the Holy Spirit to change you to look more like Jesus today.

And don’t stop here! On this journey of becoming like Jesus, we are invited to partner with God in His redemptive plans to rescue humanity and restore creation. You were created to make a difference. Press into it by reading the Plan Becoming Like Jesus: What Difference Do I Make?