Meditation - Why Pray? and What is God Like?
Biblical Meditation (John 10 and 14)
The last two classes have been about trying to give you an overview of this class and theologically convince you of God’s voice in your life.
Meditation is simply the art of thinking deeply. So, when we meditate on Scripture, we are going to reflect on, contemplate, and think deeply about what the particular passage of the Bible is saying and what God is saying through it to us.
If you are struggling with God as being emotionally distant or angry or as anything other that what Jesus was like spend time in John 14. The Father should be just as attractive to our hearts as Jesus.
The last two classes have been about trying to give you an overview of this class and theologically convince you of God’s voice in your life.
Meditation is simply the art of thinking deeply. So, when we meditate on Scripture, we are going to reflect on, contemplate, and think deeply about what the particular passage of the Bible is saying and what God is saying through it to us.
If you are struggling with God as being emotionally distant or angry or as anything other that what Jesus was like spend time in John 14. The Father should be just as attractive to our hearts as Jesus.
- Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but is not a complete revelation of the nature of God. Absolutely it is true that God is transcendent and all-powerful. But he also has the affections of a Father. We loves us and desires relationship with us. He cares about you as an individual. You’re not a number, you’re his kid. We tremble before his power but we have confidence in his love for us.
- You’re ability to hear God is not based on you but on you being one of God’s creations. He made you to hear his voice. You must now learn to recognize it.
Meditation Questions—modified Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) by Graham Cooke.
1) Begin by finding a place of stillness before the Lord. Calm your body, breath slowly… clear your mind of the distractions of life. Ask God to reveal His rest to you. Embrace His peace. This can take some time but once you’re in that place of rest, enjoy it.
2) Read through the passage once, slowly.
3) Read slowly through the verses you underlined. Like waves crashing onto a shore, let the words of the Scripture crash onto your spirit.
4) Read the passage again for the final time.
- These questions are meant to help students slow down and spend time with a passage. There is nothing magical about them. They are only a guide. Use them. Don't use them. It really doesn't matter either way.
1) Begin by finding a place of stillness before the Lord. Calm your body, breath slowly… clear your mind of the distractions of life. Ask God to reveal His rest to you. Embrace His peace. This can take some time but once you’re in that place of rest, enjoy it.
2) Read through the passage once, slowly.
- Underline the verses that catch your attention. If a word or phrase seems to jump out at you, underline it.
- Interact with the Scripture; pray it back to the Lord.
3) Read slowly through the verses you underlined. Like waves crashing onto a shore, let the words of the Scripture crash onto your spirit.
- What are you hearing? What are you feeling? What impressions do you have? Write them down.
- Does this passage remind you of any memories or experiences? Write them down.
4) Read the passage again for the final time.
- Meditate on it. Turn the words and ideas over and over in your heart.
- Is there something God wants you to do with this passage? Is there something to which He is calling you? Write it down.
- Pray silently. Tell God the thoughts this Scripture is bringing to your mind. Ask Him for His thoughts. Write down your conversation—as if you and God were sitting in the lunch room—two good friends, sharing.