The memory verses for our church: why are they so difficult this time or what goes through a pastor's mind – if anything?

In June, as a church, we started learning some Bible verses. Our first set was 1 Cor. 1:28-31. There was a good response both regarding how many learned the verses plus comments and discussions keep cropping up regarding application of these truths. Our set for July and August is Heb. 10:22-25. Members have been a little slower this time, at least in their public response. Why?

While acknowledging that I may have overlooked keys factors, here is a list of several factors that I have considered. (This is the part where you wonder what is going through the pastor's mind, if he has one!) I have not polled anyone in an attempt to verify any of these.

Maybe people are busier, with vacations and company. This might not only contribute to busyness but also to a break in one's daily routine. For some of us, a break from the regularity of our daily schedule is not healthy for a memorization plan.

A second factor might be the lack of novelty. The first set was The First Set. Now that that experience has passed and we have enjoyed it, we are not so excited about the second and third repetition.

And, a third factor might be this issue of self discipline. We might jump on the memory-verse-bandwagon for the thrill of trying something new, and maybe because we do have some conviction that this is something that we ought to do. Yet the discipline of incorporating some new habit into our life is not easy. Work is require, and sometimes, even for a good cause, we will not put out effort nor will we 'force' ourselves to adhere to a new schedule.

A forth issue might be the difference in the emphasis of the passages. The Corinthians passage was a delightful theological passage emphasizing the work of God in our salvation. The Hebrews passage is one that places a strong emphasis upon our responsibility to 'work out our salvation with fear and trembling'. This passage contains three 'Let us' statements.

The third of these 'let us' statements direct our attention not to the relationship between ourselves and God but towards our fellow believers. 'Consider how to stimulate one another'. This concept may be uncomfortable, and might grow more so as the implications of this statement imposes itself upon us. Even in our small church there are a lot of people with whom we are not close. Are we to consider how to stimulate these people as well? Even to think about this might move us out of our comfort zone.

A fifth factor might be the things I have not thought to mention. (You probably by now see a realistic glimpse into a pastor's mind. We do, or at least, I do, have some inclination to think of what might be going wrong, is it pessimism or a desire for excellence – for perfection?)

Since I have begun writing this - I usually spend a couple of days off and on polishing it up; however, this one has taken longer as I changed its theme a couple of times - I have heard a couple of comments.

One person said: “I like these verses better than the 1 Corinthian ones.”

Another said: “I just don't want to get up in public and say them.” “And,” she added, “I'm really thinking about how to put them into practice in my life!”

The benefits and blessings of knowing and practicing God's word are great, so we will continue, whether I hear a lot of positive feed back or not. We are doing this for the glory of God and not for the pastor's satisfaction. (And maybe the pastor needs to relax, to not think of all of the reasons why not, to be faithful in the Word and to allow God to bring forth fruit in its season.)