A Behind-the-Scenes: Memory Verses
iBible brings God’s Divine narrative to life through dynamic animation and a script based solely on the Biblical text. As iBIBLE brings the story of Scripture to people from all over the world, it can change hearts and minds. God's Word is incredibly powerful when we know it and commit it to memory. For this reason, iBIBLE includes memory verses taken directly from Scripture at the end of every chapter. These verses are carefully chosen, and when completed, they will weave together to cover the full story of the Bible. Let's look at this process today.
As you have watched the chapters of iBIBLE that have been released, you may have noticed that each chapter ends with a dark background and a passage of Scripture read by narrator. With over 23,000 verses in the Bible, how are these verses chosen?
First, a memory verse must summarize the main points in the story being told in the specific chapter. Secondly, the verse must highlight an important point in the story that helps people remember it in the grand, overarching narrative of Scripture.
Anyone who memorizes the memory verse passages of iBIBLE will be able to remember all of the key points in the narrative of Scripture. This will give them a basic overview of the Bible and will help them to see the narrative as a whole story, and not just isolated pieces. Verse by verse, the iBIBLE memory verses will empower any reader to memorize the story of Scripture.
Let’s look at iBIBLE Chapter 17 as an example. Chapter 17 covers the story presented in Chapters 32 and 33 of the book of Genesis. The story segments include:
Jacob meets the angels.
Jacob sends messengers to Esau.
Jacob finds out that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men.
Jacob divides his camp and prays to God.
Jacob sends gifts to his brother.
Jacob sends his family across the brook and remains there alone.
Jacob wrestles with a mysterious man which Scripture indicates is God.
Jacob receives a new name.
Jacob and Esau reconcile.
Jacob and Esau part ways amicably.
Jacob and his tribe settle for a time in Sukkoth.
Jacob purchases land outside of Shechem.
As you can see, there are many different events that occur in this chapter. The memory verses chosen show Jacob’s name being changed to Israel. Not only is this part of the story essential to this chapter alone, but it is also essential to the whole story of Scripture. Jacob, now re-named Israel, is the ancestor of the Jewish people, and the reason they are called Israelites. Jacob’s new name also reveals a deeper change in his character. He is no longer “the deceiver;” he is now Israel—he who wrestles with God. Furthermore, he receives a blessing from the Lord. The whole encounter shows the Lord’s interaction with a man to whom He has given a promise.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” —Genesis 32:28 [NIV]
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” —Genesis 32:30 [NIV]
As new chapters of iBIBLE are released, we hope that you will strive to memorize all of the closing verses and help your children and grandchildren do the same. This way, the narrative of Scripture comes to life, and you will hide God's Word in your heart!
Thank you for journeying with us as we work to bring the world’s first visual and interactive presentation of God’s Divine narrative to the whole world for FREE. Please continue to pray as we write, animate, produce, translate, and distribute iBIBLE. We are so thankful for your continued support.
