The soon-to-be graduates in our homes and churches are about to enter a new phase of life. Whether they have chosen college, trade school, the military, missions, or other full-time employment, they will encounter a variety of opportunities as they explore their God-given abilities and sharpen their focus on the future. Most will also experience life apart from the daily presence of their parents, becoming more responsible for their own everyday decisions. By God’s grace, many will enjoy tremendous spiritual growth. But make no mistake, there are serious dangers as they enter this new season of life. The world wants to capture their hearts and minds with godless philosophies and empty deceit (Colossians 2:8). Satan and his evil forces are scheming to bring about their fall (Ephesians 6:11-12). We are sending them out into a world that will literally hate them if they faithfully follow Christ and His ways (John 15:18). Will they love Jesus or the world? Will their faith flourish? Will they be able to stand firm? What will they need?
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (Ephesians 6:13-17)
Send them out of our homes and churches fully equipped with the full armor of God, making sure that they are armed with the sword of the Spirit—God’s Word. Hopefully, parents and churches have been doing that from earliest childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). But graduation is also a strategic time to reinforce the importance of Bible memory. Watch this powerful 3-minute video from John Piper as he points out eight reasons for memorizing Scripture.
Have you considered giving the graduates in your life a tool to encourage and assist them in Bible memory? Truth78 has a Bible memory program called Fighter Verses designed for this very purpose. You can check out the various print and digital resources for this program here.
