etcetera:

When I was 4 years old, my mom started me in violin lessons.  To date, it was the most exciting thing happening in my life.  I loved learning to play.  At that age I couldn’t read, and so my teacher used the Suzuki method, which is a way to learn music without being able to read.  You listen to the songs, and you learn how to play that way.   Each night at bedtime we pushed the play button on our little tape recorder and my sister and I listened to the music from our lesson books as we were falling asleep.  To this day, I still remember and can play those songs I learned as a child.  

Studies have shown that music can help with the memory process, especially as children, but truly it helps everyone.  You may have had this experience-  do you remember all the words from your favorite album that you played on repeat in middle school?  I do.  I can still sing most of the lyrics from Chicago’s album “17” released in 1984.   But I digress.

Now, in my adult life there are many things that I want to remember – and its difficult.  The mental load can be enormous from daily life, and things that might benefit us get pushed to the margins.  One of the things that just doesn’t get enough prime-time for me is Scripture memory. 

But we know that God’s Word is intended to be…” a lamp to our feet, and a light to our paths.” (Psalm 119:105) In terms of formation in our lives as believers, Scripture memory is so important.  Colossians 3:16 says, ““Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Hiding God’s word away in our hearts and minds is healthy and good for so many reasons: wisdom for difficult decisions, healing when we are heart-sick, joy with the realization of his truth and goodness , and peace for unsettling times.     

This Sunday we have planned a time for Scripture memory: Mission Red Bank’s first Community Scripture Song.  We will be singing Galatians 4:4-7.  The hope is that as we sing it for the first couple of months of 2025, the song and its words will dig down deep and grow roots in our hearts and minds.  The children will be working on learning and singing it upstairs too – so everyone in our community will be learning it together.  As we do, I pray the words will help us know Jesus better, and His promise to us- in Him we have been adopted as children of God.     

Here are the words for you to dwell on : 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Melody Day, MRB Creative Director