15 Verses Every Christian Needs to Memorize
1. Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” -Gen 1:1
The Bible’s
first verse introduces us to the God who always has been and always
will be. He created the heavens and the earth by the word of his power,
which sets the stage for his creating humanity in his own image.
2. Exodus 34:6-7
“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a
God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast
love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving
iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the
guilty, visiting
the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’” -Exodus 34:6-7
the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.’” -Exodus 34:6-7
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love
the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your might.” -Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Moses’ declaration teaches us about both the character and uniqueness of God. When we confess with these verses that God is one, we confess that he alone is God and there is no one like him. Then Moses shows the exclusive claim the covenant Lord has upon our heart and lives.
Moses’ declaration teaches us about both the character and uniqueness of God. When we confess with these verses that God is one, we confess that he alone is God and there is no one like him. Then Moses shows the exclusive claim the covenant Lord has upon our heart and lives.
4. Psalm 119:11
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” -Psalm 119:11
The longest chapter in the Bible proclaims the beauty of God’s word and the transformative role it plays in our lives. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that when we put God’s word in our hearts, it aids us in our war against indwelling sin.
5. Isaiah 53:6
The longest chapter in the Bible proclaims the beauty of God’s word and the transformative role it plays in our lives. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that when we put God’s word in our hearts, it aids us in our war against indwelling sin.
5. Isaiah 53:6
”All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to
his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” -Isaiah 53:6
To properly understand the message of the Bible we must understand the centrality of Jesus’ death on behalf of his people. Isaiah 53, written seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, points forward to the day when the sins of wayward people would be placed on God’s faithful servant.
To properly understand the message of the Bible we must understand the centrality of Jesus’ death on behalf of his people. Isaiah 53, written seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, points forward to the day when the sins of wayward people would be placed on God’s faithful servant.
6. Matthew 28:18-20
”And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” -Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew records these last words from Jesus. Speaking to his disciples before he ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded them to take the Gospel to every nation on earth, baptizing those who believe and teaching them to obey Jesus’ words. As we read, study, and memorize the Great Commission, we remember that we are called to join Jesus in his mission so that more people might become his disciples.
Matthew records these last words from Jesus. Speaking to his disciples before he ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded them to take the Gospel to every nation on earth, baptizing those who believe and teaching them to obey Jesus’ words. As we read, study, and memorize the Great Commission, we remember that we are called to join Jesus in his mission so that more people might become his disciples.
7. John 3:16
”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
This stood as the best known Bible verse in our culture for many years, and rightfully so. Jesus, speaking about the time when he would be lifted up on the cross, tells Nicodemus that this happened because God in his love wanted to bring life to those who are perishing. This verse teaches us about the love of God, the deity of Jesus, and that we experience new life through faith alone.
This stood as the best known Bible verse in our culture for many years, and rightfully so. Jesus, speaking about the time when he would be lifted up on the cross, tells Nicodemus that this happened because God in his love wanted to bring life to those who are perishing. This verse teaches us about the love of God, the deity of Jesus, and that we experience new life through faith alone.
8. John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” -John 14:6
Our culture often exhibits an allergy to Christianity’s exclusive truth claims, which means we need to be able to know, understand, and explain them. In this simple and straightforward text Jesus explains that he is the only way to the Father. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he makes the way for sinful people to know the eternal hope offered by our gracious God.
Our culture often exhibits an allergy to Christianity’s exclusive truth claims, which means we need to be able to know, understand, and explain them. In this simple and straightforward text Jesus explains that he is the only way to the Father. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he makes the way for sinful people to know the eternal hope offered by our gracious God.
9. Romans 6:23
”For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
In this succinct statement the Apostle Paul reminds us that if we stand before God with only what we have done we will experience death. However, God holds something out to us we could never earn- eternal life. This verse exalts the grace of God and reminds us of the futility of trusting in our own goodness.
In this succinct statement the Apostle Paul reminds us that if we stand before God with only what we have done we will experience death. However, God holds something out to us we could never earn- eternal life. This verse exalts the grace of God and reminds us of the futility of trusting in our own goodness.
10. Romans 8:28
”And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28
Every Christian needs a deeply rooted trust in the promises of God for when the storms of life crash in. Romans 8:28 stands as a rock solid promise that God takes everything through which we walk and works it for our good. The Christian going through difficulties and trials can hold tightly to this verse and be reminded of the goodness and providence of God.
Every Christian needs a deeply rooted trust in the promises of God for when the storms of life crash in. Romans 8:28 stands as a rock solid promise that God takes everything through which we walk and works it for our good. The Christian going through difficulties and trials can hold tightly to this verse and be reminded of the goodness and providence of God.
11. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
”For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also
received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in
accordance with the Scriptures.” -1 Corinthians 15:3-4
These two verses proclaim the central truths of the Gospel message, so Christians must know, understand, and cling to them. Paul reminds us that Jesus died in our place bearing our sins, was buried in a tomb, and rose from the dead never to die again. The Christian never moves beyond this main thing to which the Scriptures testified from the beginning. Without the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have no good news for sinful people.
These two verses proclaim the central truths of the Gospel message, so Christians must know, understand, and cling to them. Paul reminds us that Jesus died in our place bearing our sins, was buried in a tomb, and rose from the dead never to die again. The Christian never moves beyond this main thing to which the Scriptures testified from the beginning. Without the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have no good news for sinful people.
12. 2 Corinthians 5:21
”For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Corinthians 5:21
At the heart of the Christian message stands a great exchange. Jesus took our sins upon himself and gives his perfect righteousness to us. For the person united to Christ by faith, we no longer stand before God dressed in the shreds of our own sins, but robed in the perfect life of Christ. This simple verse helps us understand, rejoice over, and explain this good news
At the heart of the Christian message stands a great exchange. Jesus took our sins upon himself and gives his perfect righteousness to us. For the person united to Christ by faith, we no longer stand before God dressed in the shreds of our own sins, but robed in the perfect life of Christ. This simple verse helps us understand, rejoice over, and explain this good news
13. Galatians 5:16
”But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” -Galatians 5:16
When we seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ we will grapple with the desires of our sinful flesh. Rather than giving into those desires or venturing into crippling legalism, Paul says we should let every step of our lives be in step with the Spirit so we will not gratify our flesh. This verse helps us to see the role of the Spirit in our lives and to know the freedom that comes from consciously walking by him each day.
When we seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ we will grapple with the desires of our sinful flesh. Rather than giving into those desires or venturing into crippling legalism, Paul says we should let every step of our lives be in step with the Spirit so we will not gratify our flesh. This verse helps us to see the role of the Spirit in our lives and to know the freedom that comes from consciously walking by him each day.
14. Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not
your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no
one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” -Ephesians 2:8-10
Verses about the free grace of God saturate this list because we never grow out of our need for it. Here Paul reminds us that our salvation is not through our good works, but by his grace through faith in Christ. When I learned these verses growing up we always stopped at verse 9, but that is to miss the wonderful news of how grace transforms us. We many not be saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. These verses help us grasp the connection between our free salvation and the transformation it effects in our lives.
15. Philippians 4:6-7
”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7
Every Christian wrestles with difficulties, stresses, anxieties, and hurts. Here Paul instructs us to stop wallowing in them and to pray instead. This alone is good news because this means that God wants to hear where we are hurting and struggling. He invites us to bring our deepest fears and lay them on him. In exchange God gives us peace to guard us. Hiding these verses in our hearts will remind us to pray in every time of need.
Verses about the free grace of God saturate this list because we never grow out of our need for it. Here Paul reminds us that our salvation is not through our good works, but by his grace through faith in Christ. When I learned these verses growing up we always stopped at verse 9, but that is to miss the wonderful news of how grace transforms us. We many not be saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. These verses help us grasp the connection between our free salvation and the transformation it effects in our lives.
15. Philippians 4:6-7
”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7
Every Christian wrestles with difficulties, stresses, anxieties, and hurts. Here Paul instructs us to stop wallowing in them and to pray instead. This alone is good news because this means that God wants to hear where we are hurting and struggling. He invites us to bring our deepest fears and lay them on him. In exchange God gives us peace to guard us. Hiding these verses in our hearts will remind us to pray in every time of need.
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