Becoming Like Jesus: Scripture MemorizationSample

God’s Masterpiece

This journey of becoming like Jesus—adopting His habits and His view of us—is just that, a journey. It’s a process we keep engaging with. A Person we keep walking with. And as we do, we discover more of who He is and more of who we are because of Him. And when we get to know the One who is Truth, we begin to see ourselves more truly. When we learn to see ourselves truly, we start to figure out, in day-to-day life, what it looks like to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and how to love others the same way Jesus loves us.

This all starts with being with Jesus—the One who is true and shows us how to see ourselves truly.

Let's keep reading and invite God into our vulnerability so He can bring the healing and hope we need.

Pray …

Father in heaven, thank You for sending Jesus. Jesus, thank You for showing us God’s grace and truth in a personal way. Holy Spirit, work in my heart today to help me live more truly and freely under the grace of Jesus. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read …

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 2:8–10 NLT

Consider …

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is like a Gatorade bath of reminders about who we are because of Jesus. He spends three chapters just soaking his readers from head to toe with truth about their new identity and true purpose.

Are you struggling with your purpose or identity? Sit down and read Ephesians 1–3. Underline everything it says about who you are and what you were created for, then write down the statements that stand out to you. What makes you want to cry? What doesn’t make sense? What do you really hope is true about you but you’re not sure about just yet? Put that note where you can see it until you believe it. And then do this exercise again.

Even in the three verses we are working to memorize, the good news about who we are because of Jesus rings loud and clear. We are all sinners saved by the grace of God. We didn’t do anything to earn it or achieve it. It’s something we received when we first believed. Now, God sees us as a masterpiece, a new creation, a person made for a good reason and not by accident. You are a recipient of God’s favor, rescued from sin and saved from the sting of death by the Author of Life. This is who you are. You are God’s masterpiece.

What would change in your life if you believed this?

Practice …

As we look at our memory verse, we are reminded that there’s nothing we can do to earn our salvation. This is so freeing—knowing that we are chosen by God to live in the finished work of His Son. Practice internalizing these words by writing them down again. As you do, imagine the words being written on your heart.

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 2:8–10 NLT

If you’re using an app or another memorization method, keep doing what works for you! The point isn’t to follow a particular style of memorizing Scripture, but to accomplish the goal of getting the truth of God’s word buried deep in our hearts.

Listen …

Set a timer for 5–10 minutes.

Create space in your mind and heart to hear from God. Lead into your listening by using those verses from Ephesians as a prayer:

God, thank You for saving me. Your grace is a gift and I am so grateful for it. You didn’t save me because of the good things I’ve done, so I have no reason to boast. You saved me because You love me. You are a master artist, and You’ve made me into a masterpiece. Because of Jesus, I have been made new. Now, I can do the good things You planned for me to do before I was ever born.

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.