Scripture by Heart – Devotional Practices for Memorizing God`s Word

Joshua Choonmin Kang (Th.M., Talbot School of Theology) is a pastor and speaker in Los Angeles, California. He was formerly pastor of Oriental Mission Church, with 7,000 in attendance. He has written thirty books in Korean, including God's Grace That Turns the Life Around, with over 1.5 million copies in print. In addition, he is the author of Deep-Rooted in Christ, his first book in English. Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was a professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles for over forty years. A highly influential author and teacher, Willard was as celebrated for his enduring writings on spiritual formation as he was for his scholarship. His books include The Divine Conspiracy (Christianity Today?s Book of the Year in 1998), The Spirit of the Disciplines, Hearing God, Renovation of the Heart and others. His books have received numerous Christianity Today Annual Book Awards and other recognitions. Willard served on the boards of the C. S. Lewis Foundation and Biola University, and was a member of numerous evaluation committees for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. He received bachelor?s degrees from both Tennessee Temple College and Baylor University and a graduate degree at Baylor University, as well as a PhD from the University of Wisconsin in Philosophy and the History of Science.

Foreword by Dallas Willard



Introduction



1 Bearing Fruit Through Meditation



2 Tasting the Sweetness of the Word

Practice: Take Small Steps




3 Understanding the Bible as a Whole



4 Forming a Biblical Value System

Practice: Don't Back Out




5 Sharpening the Mind



6 Acquiring Wisdom

Practice: Sharpen Your Focus




7 Dipping into Wisdom



8 Cultivating the Affections of Our Hearts

Practice: Find the Right Environment




9 Overcoming Anxiety



10 Enjoying Peace

Practice: Divide and Conquer




11 Strengthening the Heart



12 Improving the Power of Learning

Practice: Get It Right the First Time




13 Developing Concentration



14 Strengthening the Will

Practice: Use Index Cards




15 Cultivating Ourselves



16 Parenting Wisely

Practice: Arrange by Topic




17 Nurturing Disciples



18 Maturing as a Teacher

Practice: Make a Habit of It




19 Dialoguing Well



20 Offering Spiritual Counsel

Practice: Determine Topic, Reference, Word




21 Becoming an Evangelist



22 Living in Faith

Practice: Planning Our Memory Schedule




23 Overcoming Temptation



24 Finding Victory in Spiritual Warfare

Practice: Understanding What We Memorize




25 Prevailing Prayer



26 Preparing for Spiritual Difficulty

Practice: Meditation for Transformation




27 Transforming Trials

Practice: Memorize with an Eye on Use




28 Receiving Divine Guidance

Practice: Memorize for Recollection




29 Becoming God's Instrument

Practice: Aim for Mastery




30 Fulfilling Your Mission

Practice: When Memorization Bogs Down




Conclusion: Meditating on Psalm 1

Appendix: Favorite Passages for Memorization