And the 2015 Memory Challenge has ended. Ephesians 4 memorized in just one month. Good job, all 6 participants! Way to aim high and work hard. It’s no easy thing to put that much stuff in your mind in just a few weeks’ time.
First a few bits on Ephesians 4, then happy words to the participants.
Having studied the book of Ephesians for four months prior to this challenge {thus the numerous posts on Ephesians}, 31 days of soaking in the fourth chapter leaves me with a few random gems. These are in order where possible. Pick up a copy of Ephesians 4 {unless you’ve now got one in your head}, and follow along. No references, so you’ve got to find them yourself.
{Note: I memorized using the ESV.}
Do and Don’t:
“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
“You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.”
Word that Stands Out:
“Eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace”
Lists of More than Three Consecutive Items:
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers
Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander
Question:
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives”
Who is the host of captives?
Surprising:
The body makes the body grow.
“We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Gigantic Contrast:
Futile minds, darkened understanding, ignorance Renewed minds
Alienated from the life of God Created after the likeness of God
Hard heart, callous Tender heart
Sensuality, impurity, deceitful desires True righteousness and holiness
Greediness
Old self, former manner of life New self
Falsehood Speak the truth
Sinful anger Righteous anger
Stealing Honest work
Corrupt talk Talk good for building up
Grieving the Holy Spirit Sealed by the Holy Spirit
Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice Kindness, forgiveness
Phrase that Stands Out:
“Give no opportunity to the devil”
Convicting:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up”
Word Pattern:
“Be angry and do not sin”
“Let the thief no longer steal”
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths”
“Let all bitterness & wrath & anger & clamor & slander be put away from you”
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another”
And there’s so much more.
Thanks to all who participated in the first-ever Memory Challenge at journeyoftheword.com. I hope this experience invigorates you in your study of the Word and your knowledge of the One who gave it.
Unless I missed someone, no one actually completed the challenge. {If I missed you, please let me know!} But, as this is the first year for the Memory Challenge, I am happy to send a small gift to each of the participants. This year’s gift comes from Glory Designs {take a visit!}. [Participants, check your email for details. If you don’t receive an email, and you did participate, please contact me! I don’t want you to miss it!] And, you guys out there {who I know read this blog}, get it together, and show us how it’s done, and maybe I’ll have reason to look for something not so girly to reward the 2016 Memory Challenge finishers. I mean, really.
At least one participant told me this was the first time they’d ever tried to memorize an entire chapter of Scripture. #smile
Another comment was just how much it keeps your mind coming back again and again to the amazing content of the passage. #doublesmile
Yet another participant challenged me to join her in memorizing the entire book of James in May-June-July of this year. That’s 108 verses in 92 days. #slightlyintimidatedhalfgrin
Until January 2016, journey on.
[image credit: journeyoftheword.com]
Journey of the Word 