(Occasionally, thanks to the wonders of technology, Study Tip Tuesday happens on Wednesday.)
Meditating on Scripture…
Quick- what mental picture do you have?
Floor mats and yoga pants?
Televangelists with bad haircuts?
Unattainable super-spirituality?
Hang around Christians for a while and that phrase is bound to pop up, usually in the context of something you should be doing. But what IS it exactly, and how can it help with Bible study?
Meditating on Scripture is just reflection or contemplation. Plain, old thinking about it. On purpose. Nothing hard, weird or complicated about it. We do it all the time with other things. "I've been thinking about the kitchen remodel. What if we put the refrigerator on this wall and …" Or maybe, "I was driving to work this morning and trying to figure out how we can see everybody at Christmas since you only have four vacation days left …"
See, "thinking about", and "trying to figure out" we understand. Throw out the word "meditate" and add "Scripture" though, and suddenly it's beyond us. Maybe these few suggestions can get you started "meditating on Scripture".
- Write down a verse that recently got your attention. Use one from a sermon, a study or from your reading. Newly discovered or old favorite, doesn't matter.
- Pick a day and a time you generally have some alone time- maybe your lunch break, or the drive to or from work, or waiting for practice to be over.
- Minimize distractions. Turn off the television or radio
- Read through your verse. Ask yourself questions like – What's it say? What does it mean? How does it work? Am I doing that? Do I need to change? What picture does it bring to mind? Does it remind me of anybody or a situation I've faced or even a scene in a movie?
- Wandering thoughts happen. Don't panic- it doesn't make you a failure at meditation. Just don't let them get out of hand. Reread your verse to refocus if needed.
Keep at it and see what insights you gain. I'd love to hear about them!
"… I meditate on all Your works …" Psalm 143:5
I should try this sometime…
In fact, I may have done it and never realized it before! I guess when you just start thinking about what it means and what effect it could have on your life, then yeah…meditation.
And yes, I used to think meditation was the yoga pants and stuff like that. I sometimes would think of it as associated with Scriptre, but now I think you've pushed it more towards Scripture.
Thanks for the post!