I’ve received a few comments asking how to make the “memory PDFs” that I used with the Sermon on the Mount. I copied the format from Tim Brister’s “Philippians memory moleskine”. I’ve written down the steps that I use to make one. I’ve also included sample files for the Sermon on the Mount and other Scripture passages.

1. Choose the passage you want to memorize in a translation you prefer.
2. Use your favorite online Bible website to copy the text and verse numbers (e.g., http://www.biblegateway.com or http://www.esvbible.org/) into Word.
3. Using Word, format each verse number and verse to be on a single line (without a hard return between lines), with a “tab” between the number and the verse.
4. Copy and paste the text from Word into Excel. The “tabs” in Word translate into columns in Excel. The spreadsheet now has two columns: one with verse numbers and one with verses.
   1. Apply the font you want; I use Arial Narrow, size 10 or 11.
   2. For the moleskine, set the column width to 5 for the verse numbers and to 48 for the verses.
   3. Turn the “word wrap” on for the column with the verses.
   4. Use Excel to divide the verses into weekly groups.
5. Use PowerPoint to set the page boundaries, page headers, and create tables for the verses.
   1. Paste each week’s verses into the table within the box.
   2. Make sure the box headings include the Scripture reference.
   3. Edit the first page (with three or four notes pages) to include the weekly schedule for memorizing and encouragement.
6. Print the file or save it as a PDF to share with others. (This PDF printing capability was introduced in PowerPoint 2007. Without it, I would have to find another way to make a PDF.)