Our first review exercise for this year’s Scripture Memory Programme begins two weeks from now. If you have been following this programme closely you would have memorized 6 passages of Scripture by now, based on the theme "O for a Closer Walk with God." These have been reinforced through having morning service sermons that are based on the same passages. Some may have found resources like the memory verse booklet, the verses on audio CD, and the memory verse webpage (www.lifebpc.com/memoryverse2007.htm) helpful to train their minds to retain the passages of Scripture in the memory. We thank God that many Lifers found this memorization programme beneficial when it was implemented within the past few years.

Dallas Willard, professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California, wrote, "Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization."

In an article entitled "Why Memorize Scripture?" John Piper listed 6 reasons why so many have viewed Scripture memorisation as so essential to the Christian life:

Paul wrote that "…we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory," (2 Corinthians 3:18) If we would be changed into Christ likeness we must steadily see him. This happens in the word. "The Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord" (1 Samuel 3:21). Bible memorization has the effect of making our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word…. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:9, 11). Paul said that we must "through the Spirit…mortify the (sinful) deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13). The one piece of armor used to kill is the "sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). As sin lures the body into sinful action, we call to mind a Christ-revealing word of Scripture and slay the temptation with the superior worth and beauty of Christ over what sin offers.

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness He recited Scripture from memory and put Satan to flight (Matthew 4:1-11).

The times when people need you to give them comfort and counsel do not always coincide with the times you have your Bible handy. Not only that, the very Word of God spoken spontaneously from your heart has unusual power. Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." That is a beautiful way of saying, When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s Word, timely blessings flow from the mouth.

Opportunities to share the gospel come when we do not have the Bible in hand. Actual verses of the Bible have their own penetrating power. And when they come from our heart, as well as from the Book, the witness is given that they are precious enough to learn. We should all be able to sum up the gospel under four main headings (1) God’s holiness/law/glory; 2) man’s sin/rebellion/disobedience; 3) Christ’s death for sinners; 4) the free gift of life by faith. Learn a verse or two relating to each of these, and be ready in season and out of season to share them.

6. Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and Ways

The way we commune with (that is, fellowship with) God is by meditating on His attributes and expressing to Him our thanks and admiration and love, and seeking His help to live a life that reflects the value of these attributes. Therefore, storing texts in our minds about God helps us relate to Him as He really is.

I trust that the above 6 reasons will motivate you to take Scripture memorization seriously, and especially to participate in the memorization programme of our church. May the testimonies below, written by 3 of the 11 first prize winners of last year’s programme, further challenge us to keep ‘hiding’ His words in our hearts! —CS

IN MY EARLY TEENS, I had participated in the Life Church Memory Verse of 100 Bible texts. Many of those precious verses have remained in my heart and served as a blessing in my Christian walk. Thus I was keen for my 11-year-old son to reap the benefits of an early treasure-store of Bible verses. One best way to get him to complete the Scripture Memory Programme would probably be to do it together with him.

As the Lord added His blessings, the process of putting Scriptures to memory turned out to be both fruitful and delightful. Instead of only checking Nathaniel on his academic schoolwork, it was more ‘heavenly’ to check on his Scripture memory work. Whenever we played the game of carom, we would use it to spar each other on the selected Bible verses; the opponent would have to rehearse or recite one verse with each score of the carom seed. Another good way we achieved word-perfect memory verses was when we made ourselves write the verses out once or twice every week.

I must confess that I found myself forgetting the verses as fast as I could remember them; so I am humbly grateful to the Lord for helping me to stretch my memory successfully. Oftentimes when we memorized God’s Word, we would also meditate upon it. That, in itself, has edified our souls; not to mention our deepened bond of fellowship in the Word. May His Word hid in our hearts, be a very present lamp unto our feet and light unto our paths, forever. – Sim Mong Eng

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I would take this opportunity to encourage everyone to memorize God’s Word as it has brought me immense benefits. As the memory verses are chosen based on the theme, the "one another" principle, they remind me of how I should relate to others in God’s family. Whenever someone has made me upset or angry, I tend to take things personally. However, when I am tempted in this aspect, the memory verses will "pop up" in my mind. One of them is Colossians 3: 13 which says, "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Indeed, the offences I have committed against the Lord are more serious than the misdeeds committed against me. Yet, He has forgiven me umpteen times. So, all the more I should forgive the offender.

Moreover, memorizing verses helps me to retrieve them whenever there is a need. It is like having a concordance in your brain. For instance, it comes in handy when witnessing to a non-believer or encouraging a fellow believer.

Secondly, I will share how I memorized the verses. There are 4As to observe:

1. Appropriate time – The best time to memorize is when your mind is freshest and free from distractions. Review the verses constantly.

2. Analyze – Break the verses into parts. Usually, they are separated by punctuation marks. Go through the parts mentally first. As I am an aural learner, I will repeat the verses verbally. At times, it helps to write them down and compare them to the booklet.

3. Associate – The challenge in the quiz is to associate the Bible reference with the actual words. It is useful to know the gist of the chapter where the verse is derived from so that the mind gets a cue for remembering. Some verses have songs to go with them, for example: "A New Commandment" and the lyrics are similar. Hence, the songs made it easier to learn these verses.

4. Acronym – The Christian attributes we ought to have are remembered according to the initials. I tried to string them together to form an acronym. For example: bowels of mercy, kindness (Col 3:12) is registered in the mind as b.o.m.k. – Karen Chan

OUT OF THE THIRTY VERSES that I have memorized in 2006, I find Psalm 145:4 most meaningful ("One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.) Indeed, as I walk my life on earth, I can identify with the sentiments expressed by David in the entire Psalm 145.

When I am happy, it is so easy to extol, to bless and to praise His name forever and ever (v.1-2), for "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable" (v.3). When I have sinned, the Lord is "slow to anger, and of great mercy" (v.8b).

In weakness and in need, I am reminded that "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth" (v.18) and that "He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them" (v.19). "The Lord preserveth all them that love him; .." (v.20a) and causes my heart and mouth "to speak the praise of the Lord" (v.21a).

Whenever possible, I try to share my life’s experiences (both good and bad) with my children so that they will know me as a genuine person and praise the God who has been working in my life. I am not sure if they understand or appreciate fully or even remember what was said. So some four years ago, it suddenly dawned upon me that I should put down in writing the lessons learnt from my walk in the Lord. Soon I started the laborious task of recalling, pondering over and recording each major setback and victory in my life. With the benefit of hindsight now, I am able to recognize the hand of the Lord in each of these experiences.

This collection of my life’s stories will be the most prized possession that I will leave for my children. And I pray that, through it, the Lord’s name will be blessed as one generation praises His works to another and declare His mighty acts. – Leong Li Peng

The FEK Board is pleased to announce that Mrs Ang Chui Hwa has been appointed as the new Principal of FEK.

Mrs Ang Chui Hwa specializes in preschool education, having graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) from Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College, Boston, MA, USA. She has extensive teaching experience, having taught for more than 20 years in various schools, including Pei Chun Public Primary School and Dover Court Preparatory School. Mrs Ang Chui Hwa has been a member of Life Church since 1982 and is actively involved in the Childrens Ministry and other ministries of the Church.

We would also like to thank God for Mrs Jemima Khoo, for her labour of love and contributions to the FEK for the past 5 years.

FEK is a ministry of Life Church, established with the objectives of providing quality education and the imparting of sound Christian values to preschoolers. Registration for 2008 intake is now open for all levels:-

- Pre-Nursery

- Nursery

- Kindergarten 1 & 2

Please call 6 251 3676 for details.