I’m recruiting others to join me in my next memorizing project—Haggai. No, I’m not joking.
Why Haggai?
When people ask me what they should memorize next, I tell them to build their memorizing storehouse with a variety of authors and genres: Paul’s letters; James, Peter & John; parables of Jesus; Psalms; Proverbs; Ruth; Esther; passages from the gospels, Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Memorizing from assorted texts provides a wide spectrum of insights and enriches the experience. Taking my own advice, I decided to tackle a minor prophet. Two reasons I chose Haggai—its one of the shortest, and its not poetry.
What’s the plan?
I’m giving you a heads-up so you can think about it, or get started early.
This will be a two-month project beginning July 1 and ending August 31.
Day 1, start with verse 1.
Add a verse each day until the end of the chapter on day 15.
Take the remaining days in July to review chapter 1.
On August 1, start chapter 2 with verse 1, and add a verse each day until day 23.
Then spend the rest of the month reviewing both chapters.
First steps
Do any or all of the following:
Handwrite the entire book on a 3 x 5 index spiral.
Print the text of Haggai from a Bible website or Bible software. www.biblegateway.com
Queue your Bible app on your phone to the book of Haggai.
Tips
Some of the verses are very loooong. For example 1:1. If you need to take more than one day on a verse, no problem.
If you have a study Bible, read the historical context for the book. Keep it handy as you go through the chapters, for the people and places you’re unfamiliar with.
Choose any translation you like. I’ll be using NIV-1984.
Other options
If you’re in the middle of another project, you may want to take a break and join us for two months. Or, you may want to pick a totally different book to memorize.
God chooses to reveal himself through a composite of 66 books—diversity with unity. In Haggai, he reveals himself as the LORD Almighty. Can’t wait to jump in.
Let me know if you want to join me and Haggai for this adventure. Also, we’d all like to hear about your current memory projects, and how God is meeting you in his Word.
Well, I had already started this book in March after having such a wonderful time in the Lord with Titus January and February. I was motivated to learn Haggai because -1. it is in the OT and 2. it is short! I enjoyed the repeated phrases – the word of the Lord and the Zerubbabel, son of… However, I was still reviewing Titus and things in Haggai weren’t going as quickly as Titus. But, then I heard Joyce Meyer teaching on Haggai chapter 2 about holiness not being infectious but unholiness spreads like disease! This, along with you and your other “followers” has renewed my motivation to plow on to the end of the row! Thanks for your encouragement!
Hi Lynette, We can plow through Haggai together and learn about holiness and defilement, and “Consider your ways.” There’s a lot in there.
Not sure I could do it, as I am only a baby memorizer. Just not very positive that I could keep up a verse a day pace. But you have my interest up for sure! I will be thinking about it, and at the very least will spend some time reading Haggai!
Just keep working on whatever you’re currently memorizing. Go at your own pace. Everyone has a different system. Go with what works for you.
I would love to join in, but am memorizing 1 Peter right now and want to keep pressing on with it. However, I will definitely consider it for an Old Testament book to do after I finish 1 Peter. Great idea to have the list do one together.
Barb
Hi Barb, Well you can’t get much better than 1 Peter. I’m pretty sure its my all-time favorite.
I would enjoy memorizing Haggai with others! I have currently been working on Colossians, but might push the pause button to work on this. It would be good motivation for me. Thanks!
Yay, awesome. We’re building…
Oh man! You caught me at a good time. Just started on the 7th chapter of Hebrews and I’m feeling it. I need a tiny diversion. A minor prophet.
Weird?!
Fun?!
I ‘M A L L I N.
Woo Hoo! Just what I needed.
OK friend, you’ve got a month for mental preparation, or to get a head start.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Hullo Janet and Memorizing Friends
I am making good progress memorizing The Gospel of John — I love The Gospel of John chapter 15 especially. My goal is to finish it by my Birthday on August 5. I have been greatly encouraged by our group here as well as Heidi Bashoor’s group “It is written – memorizing buddies”. I have also been helped by http://www.piercingword.org — they memorize and act out Bible books and passages. You can find them on Facebook and YouTube. They have t shirts and DVDs available for purchase from their website too. I bought William Evans book called “How to Memorize The Bible” published by Moody Bible Institute in 1919. It is available from Amazon.com as a book or ebook. It is a Delightful book and easy to read.
Thanks for all the loving tips and encouraging info for Haggai! ❤️
I am starting Haggai today and will go slowly — and plan to finish on August 31 with our group here.
Blessings,
Linda Nikitin
P.S. We are having company from June 3 – 8. But after that, I would like to practice saying my Gospel of John with friends using Skype. I would love to hear whatever passage people are working on too. It would be a great encouragement and help to all of us, I think.
I’ll memorize Haggai with you all.
I’m really loving Philippians right now. I’m in chapter three and camping out on verses like “…one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the upward goal….”. I should be able to wrap it up in time for Haggai.
I was going to memorize Ruth next but I will save that for the Fall. That will be fun heading into the Christmas season.
Hi Holly, So great to hear from you. And I love knowing that you are in Philippians – its a huge encouragement and motivation. And Ruth, well that’s one of my favorites too. There’s so much variety in God’s Word. I will add you to our Haggai list.
I’m in the middle of memorizing James 1 with the group of memorizers at the Do Not Depart blog. But I just linked your post to our HideHisWord Facebook page for those who might be interested in learning Haggai with you.
Thank you so much Lisa. Glad to hear about your group in James. That book is a holy kick in the shins. We need it!
My husband and I are going through the OT with our church Bible reading program. We just finished Ezra when I saw your invitation to memorize Haggai. It’s a perfect book for me to study and memorize as I go through the OT and see how God’s people go up and down in their obedience to the Lord. I’m in! I just started memorizing late last year. I am working on 52 key passages of the Bible. I will put them aside for Haggai. It will be good for me to have the support of the group. Thank you, Janet!
Hi Shan, so glad you will join us. It will be an awesome journey.
I’ve been memorizing the Word by myself so I am excited to have a group to memorize with – and I am looking forward to learning Haggai together. Count me in!
Yay Carol, so glad to have you join us. 3 more weeks.
I would love to join the group : just listened to John Piper on Haggai . great motivation to put this word in my heart!
Hi Phyllis, I’ll add you to our growing list. Can you send us a link to that message on Haggai?
Count me in too! I have been working on I John by myself but would love to do this together with a group.
Awesome! We’re starting July 1.
This sounds too good to miss!! count me in. As soon as I saw the blog last night I read the study notes at the start of Haggai and I’m ready for GO.
At present I’m memorizing the Scriptures from Handel’s Messiah so have met Haggai there.
Oh fabulous, we have one more. There are 11 so far.