Amen, Joosep! Amen. It is funny to hear you talk of "bearing fruit." I am in Mark 4 where Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower, to which bearing fruit is a major point. For the record, not a coincidence at all. Just the Spirit working with his children. Thanks, Joosep!
Thanks, Joosep. I have to admit it is a grind. It is definitely becoming more and more challenging. But time and repetition keeps me going... along with support from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ on this site!
It's meaningful to me to see how you continue to move forward with your stated plans. It encourages me to keep doing the same with mine. I praise and thank God for that.
Thanks, Joosep. I have to admit it is a grind. It is definitely becoming more and more challenging. But time and repetition keeps me going... along with support from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ on this site!
Yes, there are moments when for me too it feels like a grind. At that point, I try if I can to slow myself down and take as medicine, as it were, one verse at a time ... as I do that, and hear from God the Holy Spirit, I'm encouraged again :) Some days I'm successful at that, others not.
We're engaged in a spiritual discipline, I believe. A discipline (of Bible reading, of prayer, of other "Christian" activities) doesn't necessarily bear fruit every single moment in which you engage in it, but if it is engaged in in a God-ward fashion, consistently, with perseverance, genuinely and from the heart, in the long run it will bear much, much fruit. It also bulds for the believer a very strong foundation in Jesus Christ.
Amen, Joosep! Amen. It is funny to hear you talk of "bearing fruit." I am in Mark 4 where Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower, to which bearing fruit is a major point. For the record, not a coincidence at all. Just the Spirit working with his children. Thanks, Joosep!
I have to say that when I found this site and began memorizing, I was most excited about making progress knowing the word. I had no idea how awesome the community here would be as well. The stories, the encouragement, and the joy you all share is a double blessing! Thank you. And sorry, joosep, mrsmoo has full authority regarding fireworks!
wait.... am i too late to light the celebration fireworks? and wonderful news encouraging a friend to join this community. your passion is a testimony to others.
I have to say that when I found this site and began memorizing, I was most excited about making progress knowing the word. I had no idea how awesome the community here would be as well. The stories, the encouragement, and the joy you all share is a double blessing! Thank you. And sorry, joosep, mrsmoo has full authority regarding fireworks!
haha.... and yes Moviegoer, this community shares the love of Jesus as all encourage one another to stay on the narrow path which i cherish and need new everyday.
Here is my method if you're interested: 1. Create a set of the first 5-7 verses of a chapter. Test until confident I can work through it without having to look up the passage. This often involves practicing verses during each test early on in the process. 2. Create a "Chapter # - Cumulative" set... reflecting the first 5-7 verses from step 1. 3. Create a set of the next 5-7 verses of the chapter. Test until confident. 4. Edit the cumulative set to include these next 5-7 verses. 5. By the end of the Chapter, I have anywhere from 4-6 sets of verses covering the whole chapter AND a cumulative set which I rename "Chapter # - Complete" when done. 6. When I struggle with certain sections on the cumulative or complete sets, I can work on testing the sections with those individual sets. 7. My daily routine is to clear the dashboard, test chapter 1, 2, 3 (complete and cumulative) and then work on the latest sets and/or add verses.
Eventually, it will get to the point where I don't have time to test each chapter, every day. My plan is to eventually move to something like... Mon. Test chapter 1, then the most recent chapter I am working on. Tue. Test chapter 2, then the most recent... Wed. test chapter 3, etc.
I totally admit that this all sounds convoluted, but as my friends always say... the best plan is the one you execute.
I never read on site. I always test. In my opinion, I can already read whenever I want, so I do all other activity related to the process off site. I am not doing passages, I am working on memorizing an entire book of the Bible, The Gospel of Mark. I have taught that book twice in Sunday School, but I have to be honest with you all. I have thought and meditated on the parts I have memorized more deeply than during any study I have ever done in the past. I don't think I ever really realized how helpful this process is not simply to know the scripture, but to meditate on it and to encourage deep prayer (conversations with God.) And joosep, I click through my review queue to the verses where it decides to test. I regularly review during my own testing.
Just curious, are you continuing to click "Test instead of read" and then test yourself on the entire passage?
I've definitely observed about myself, that when I test myself on an entire passage, I concentrate better, I get a better sense of the context of the verses as a whole, I get more benefit in terms of communion with God. I get a better sense of the meaning of the entire passage...
On the other hand, when I test myself only on 2 or 3 verses actually due in an entire passage, I do proceed through my review queue more quickly, but I definitely concentrate less, I make more mistakes, I get less out of the whole thing. What's your experience?
tho i know you are asking this of Moviegoer, I have really benefited from "Test instead of read" for the very reasons you list. Greater richness and deeper meaning. plus it really gets into my memory. So thankful for learning about this option. It is a blessing.
I never read on site. I always test. In my opinion, I can already read whenever I want, so I do all other activity related to the process off site. I am not doing passages, I am working on memorizing an entire book of the Bible, The Gospel of Mark. I have taught that book twice in Sunday School, but I have to be honest with you all. I have thought and meditated on the parts I have memorized more deeply than during any study I have ever done in the past. I don't think I ever really realized how helpful this process is not simply to know the scripture, but to meditate on it and to encourage deep prayer (conversations with God.) And joosep, I click through my review queue to the verses where it decides to test. I regularly review during my own testing.
Here is my method if you're interested: 1. Create a set of the first 5-7 verses of a chapter. Test until confident I can work through it without having to look up the passage. This often involves practicing verses during each test early on in the process. 2. Create a "Chapter # - Cumulative" set... reflecting the first 5-7 verses from step 1. 3. Create a set of the next 5-7 verses of the chapter. Test until confident. 4. Edit the cumulative set to include these next 5-7 verses. 5. By the end of the Chapter, I have anywhere from 4-6 sets of verses covering the whole chapter AND a cumulative set which I rename "Chapter # - Complete" when done. 6. When I struggle with certain sections on the cumulative or complete sets, I can work on testing the sections with those individual sets. 7. My daily routine is to clear the dashboard, test chapter 1, 2, 3 (complete and cumulative) and then work on the latest sets and/or add verses.
Eventually, it will get to the point where I don't have time to test each chapter, every day. My plan is to eventually move to something like... Mon. Test chapter 1, then the most recent chapter I am working on. Tue. Test chapter 2, then the most recent... Wed. test chapter 3, etc.
I totally admit that this all sounds convoluted, but as my friends always say... the best plan is the one you execute.
I like your method, TheMoviegoer, and I thank you for sharing that -- I'm sure it will be helpful in part or in whole to many people on this site, including me.
Having the smaller sets in combination with the all-encompassing cumulative chapter set is a very good idea, I think -- because of how then you can "at will" test yourself on whatever weak portions may crop up in the future ... without testing yourself on the entire chapter.