The Navigators - Topical Memory System

NavPress is the publishing ministry of The Navigators, an international Christian organization and leader in personal spiritual development. NavPress is committed to helping people grow spiritually and enjoy lives of meaning and hope through personal and group resources that are biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical. For a free catalog go to www.NavPress.com. Copyright 1969, 1981, 2006 by The Navigators. All rights reserved. A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. NAVPRESS and the NAVPRESS logo are registered trademarks of NavPress, The Navigators.

Absence of in connection with marks of NavPress or other parties does not indicate an absence of registration of those marks. TYNDALE is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-1-57683-997-3 Cover design by studiogearbox.com Cover photo by Peter Gardner/Getty Images Creative Team: Dan Rich, Kathy Mosier, Arvid Wallen, Pat Reinheimer Unless otherwise identified, all Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com. www.zondervan.com.

The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Other versions used include: The Living Bible, copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The verses in the Topical Memory System are taken from these versions: the Holy Bible, King James Version; the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; the New King James Version.

Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved; The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved; The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved; the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved; and the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Build: 2017-07-31 11:11:13 Contents Versions of the Bible The Topical Memory System contains sixty verses in the following versions: New International Version (NIV), The Message (MSG), New American Standard Bible (NASB), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV), King James Version (KJV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), and New Living Translation (NLT). Begin a Lifetime of Scripture Memory and Meditation You can memorize Scripture. The process may seem slow at first as you follow the Topical Memory System and begin building consistent Scripture memory and meditation into your life. But in the long run, the system saves you time. Do your best to form good memory habits now as you follow the weekly plans in this book. Attitude makes the difference. Be confident as you begin memorizing, and you will develop skill. You can count on Gods help as you memorize. Remember his counselThese commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6); and, Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly (Colossians 3:16).

What Scripture Memory Will Do for You Memorizing and meditating on Gods Word will help you overcome worry. You can experience Gods perfect peace by knowing his promises and having them written on your heart. Another benefit is victory over sin. The psalmist wrote, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). Gods Word hidden in your heart is the sword of the Spirit, available for battle at any time against sin and Satan. Scripture memory will also help you gain confidence in witnessing.

One of the five series of verses in the Topical Memory System (Series B: Proclaim Christ) will give you a workable plan for sharing the gospel with others. Scripture memory will help you keep spiritually fit. You will experience immediate benefits and become better equipped to meet future needs and opportunities. A Look at the Topical Memory System The Topical Memory System is designed to help you learn four things:

1. How to memorize and meditate on Scripture most effectively.
2. How to apply in your life the verses you memorize.
3. How to review the verses so you can always recall them easily.
4. How to continue memorizing Scripture after you finish this course.

The sixty verses of the Topical Memory System are arranged in five series:

• Series ALive the New Life
• Series BProclaim Christ
• Series CRely on Gods Resources
• Series DBe Christs Disciple
• Series EGrow in Christlikeness

Each series has twelve verses. These verses are arranged according to topics. There are two verses for each topic.

The recommended pace for learning new verses is two verses per week. Since there are two verses for each topic, you can focus on one topic each week. Why the Topics? Two important reasons for knowing the topics of the verses you memorize are:

1. The topics help you understand the meaning of the verses.
2. The topics give you mental hooks with which to draw a particular verse from memory when you need it. They help you recall the right verse when studying the Bible, witnessing, or counseling. The topics serve as pegs on which to hang the verses as you learn them.

Memorize the References Knowing the reference for each verse you memorize makes it possible to find the verses in the Bible immediately when you need them for personal use or in helping others. So make the reference a part of each verse you memorize.

The surest way to remember the reference is to say it both before and after the verse each time you review it. This will connect the reference and the verse in your mind. When learning or reviewing a verse, make it a habit to say the topic first, then the reference, then the verse, and the reference again at the end. This may seem tedious at first, but it is importantand it works! When Is the Best Time to Memorize? Memorizing the verses is easiest when you can concentrate without distraction. Two of the best times are just before you go to bed at night and just before or after your morning devotional time. A few minutes at lunchtime or just before supper may also work well for you.

Use spare moments during the daysuch as while you wait, walk, or driveto review your verses. Develop the habit of carrying your verse pack with you. Why Learn Word-Perfectly? Have as your aim to always quote a verse word-perfectly. It is easier to learn verses correctly at first. This also makes it easier to review them later. Knowing them word-perfectly will also give you greater confidence in using your verses.

Once you have chosen a particular Bible translation for the verses you memorize, it is best to learn all your verses in that translation, rather than mixing in others. The Verse Cards