Feeding on the Word: Scripture, Memorization, and Journaling

What You Will Learn

• Describe five ways to take in Scripture: hear, read, study, memorize, and meditate
• Use at least two memorization methods
• Practice biblical meditation as thinking deeply about God's Word
• Keep a simple spiritual journal on paper, wisely and safely

Lesson Notes

Five Ways to Take In the Word

Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Scripture intake is the foundation for every other discipline. Five simple ways:

• Hear: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Listen in chapel, Bible study, or approved audio. Hearing Scripture read aloud is real Scripture intake.
• Read: a short passage, slowly. A Gospel is a good place to begin.
• Study: ask questions and compare passages, like the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Use Read, Notice, Apply, Pray.
• Memorize: carry the Word with you (below).
• Meditate: think deeply about a verse until it moves from your head to your heart (below).

Meditation: Chewing on the Word

Joshua was told to meditate therein day and night so that he would observe to do it (Joshua 1:8). The blessed person's delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2). Biblical meditation is not emptying the mind. It is filling the mind with God's Word and turning it over slowly.

Try Slow Down, Stress, Speak:

1. Slow down: read one verse three times, slowly.

2. Stress: say it again, stressing a different word each time (The LORD is my shepherd... The LORD is my shepherd).

3. Speak: turn what you noticed into a prayer or a step of obedience.

Memorization That Sticks

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11). Memorized Scripture goes where books cannot: a sleepless night, a job interview, a hard conversation. Simple methods:

• Card method: write the verse on one side of an index card and the reference on the other. Carry it and review it during waiting times.
• Phrase by phrase: learn one phrase, then add the next.
• First-letter method: write only the first letter of each word (T L i m s; I s n w for Psalm 23:1) and recite from the letters.
• Review: new verses daily for a week, then weekly. Learn one verse well before adding another. One verse truly carried is a treasure.

Journaling: Remembering God's Faithfulness

The psalmist wrote, I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old (Psalm 77:11). A spiritual journal is a notebook for verses, prayers, answers, and thanks.

A simple entry: date, verse, one thing I noticed, one prayer, one thanks. Five lines are enough.

Journal wisely. Inside a facility, written materials may be inspected. Do not write details of crimes, cases, victims, other residents, staff, or facility security. Describe people by first initial or role. If writing brings up overwhelming memories, stop and talk with the chaplain or mental health staff. Journaling is never graded on spelling or grammar.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Slow Down, Stress, Speak

Use Psalm 23:1. Read it slowly three times. Say it aloud (or silently) five times, stressing a different word each time, and write what each stressed word shows you. End with a one-sentence prayer or step of obedience.

Memory Verse Workshop

Choose a verse from the lesson (Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:105, Joshua 1:8, or Matthew 4:4). Make a memory card. Write the first-letter version. Practice with a partner using phrase by phrase until you can say it with the card turned over. Plan when you will review it this week.

Assignment: Seven Days in the Word

For seven days, keep a simple journal entry each day (about five lines): date, verse or passage, one thing I noticed, one prayer, one thanks.

• Use one short section of Mark per day (starting at Mark 1:1–20), or a plan approved by your chaplain.
• Memorize one verse this week using two methods from the lesson, and write it from memory at the end of the week.
• Write a half page: Which way of taking in the Word fits you best? What realistic time and place will you keep, inside and after release?

Missing a day is not failure; just pick up where you left off. Do not include details about crimes or other people.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Psalm 119:105 says God's Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Where do you need light right now? Which verse has carried you through a dark moment, and how did it help?

Prayer focus: Ask God to give you a hunger for His Word, a memory that holds it, and a heart that does what it says.

Words No One Can Take

Inside a facility, possessions come and go. Books can be moved, papers lost, a locker searched. But a verse stored in your heart goes where you go. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).

Joshua was told to meditate therein day and night. Meditation is not emptying your mind. It is chewing slowly on a few words until they nourish you. Read a verse three times. Say it again, stressing a different word each time. Then turn it into a prayer.

Tasha struggled to read. (Tasha is a composite example.) She felt ashamed in Bible study until a volunteer read Psalm 23 aloud and helped her learn the first verse phrase by phrase. Tasha wrote the first letter of each word on a card: T L i m s; I s n w. Within a week she could say it with the card turned over. On the morning of her court date, she whispered it again and again. Hearing and memorizing the Word counted just as much as reading it.

A simple journal keeps the story of God's faithfulness: date, verse, one thing you noticed, one prayer, one thanks. Remember that journals may be read by others inside, so write about God's work, not about crimes, cases, or other people.

Think About It

1. Which verse do you most want to carry in your heart? ______________________
2. What way of taking in the Word fits you best? ______________________
3. What will you write in your journal tonight? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 2

Not by Bread Alone

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.— Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

We need God's Word as truly as we need daily food.

Reflect: What does your soul hunger for right now?

Pray: Lord, feed me with Your Word.

Do: Read one short passage of Mark today.

Hid in My Heart

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.— Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

Memorized Scripture is ready when temptation or fear comes.

Reflect: Which temptation would a verse help you face?

Pray: Lord, plant Your Word deep in me.

Do: Make a memory card for Psalm 119:11.

A Lamp and a Light

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.— Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

God's Word often lights the next step, not the whole road.

Reflect: What next step do you need light for?

Pray: Lord, light my next step.

Do: Write one decision you are facing and a verse that speaks to it.

Day and Night

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.— Psalm 1:2 (KJV)

Meditation turns a verse over slowly until it becomes delight.

Reflect: When could you think on a verse during your day?

Pray: Lord, make Your Word my delight.

Do: Use Slow Down, Stress, Speak with Psalm 23:1.

I Will Remember

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.— Psalm 77:11 (KJV)

Writing down God's faithfulness helps us remember it on hard days.

Reflect: What has God done for you that you never want to forget?

Pray: Lord, help me remember Your works.

Do: Write three answered prayers in your journal.