Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts—and Theirs

June, 2008

by: Brock Bolde

Many Christians refer to the Bible as the Word of God — they believe, as the Scriptures teach, that the Bible is “inspired by God (literally God-breathed) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). They also hold to the fact that “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). As Christians, we must believe that the Bible is our only objective means of knowing God rightly and that apart from its truths we would be unable to bring glory to the One who is worthy of all glory and honor and praise.

Absolutely essential to our having a proper understanding of God, is our having a proper understanding of His Word. As parents, if we are to instruct our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6), then we must bring them back to the Word of God; we must help them to know and understand the Scriptures and all that it teaches about how they are to live for the glory of God! But how can we do this? What means might we use to help ourselves and our children to better know and understand the Word of God?

One of the best ways that we can do this is to hide God’s Word in our heart and theirs; we must memorize Scripture. In Deuteronomy 6:6 God says to His people that “these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” In Colossians 3:16, Paul tells the Colossian believers that they are to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” Memorizing Scripture is a powerful tool that will do much to help you and your children to honor God in all that you do. Our church offers a vast array of programs to assist your family in this area. Perhaps the greatest means that we have in assisting you and your children is in our AWANA program. Each week the clubbers are encouraged to memorize different passages of Scripture, not merely for the sake of earning a pin or a jewel, but so they might know God’s Word and learn to trust in it. As your child moves from Cubbies (3-4 year olds), to Sparks (K-2nd), to Truth and Training (3rd-6th), and maybe beyond (JV and Varsity), they will be storing God’s Word in their hearts! Apart from utilizing the AWANA program, I know of very few parents that encourage their children to memorize God’s Word to the degree that they should. If you have a child in the program, don’t just have them fly through each section, but instead take the time to go over their verses with them, explaining the context and meaning behind the verse. Maybe even try to memorize some passages with them (although, be prepared to be humbled by your child’s ability to memorize)!

Memorizing Scripture is something that each of us needs to be doing along with our children. The more Biblical truth we have stored away in our minds, the more apt we will be to obey it. Many of us stumble around in darkness and uncertainty because we have failed to hide God’s Word in our hearts. We try to engage in a spiritual battle without utilizing the spiritual artillery that is ours in the Bible. We do our children a great disservice when we fail to equip them with the Word of God. It is my prayer that the families of Calvary Bible Church would be a group of people that find great peace in the midst of great uncertainty because they have drunk from the deep well of God’s promises that are found in His matchless Word. It would be my hope that we would be a body of believers that boldly (Ephesians 6:20), yet graciously (Ephesians 4:29; 2 Timothy 2:25) proclaim the truths of God’s Word because we have filled our hearts and our minds to overflowing. Let each of us commit, for ourselves and our children, to hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11)!