Recap:
5 Steps of Lectio Divina:
1. Silence
2. Read
3. Meditate
4. Respond
5. Contemplate
The difference between study & meditation:
Study is analytical; reading for information
Meditation is experiential; reading for transformation
The key to meditating on Scripture is to be open to what God may be trying to say to you in this particular moment.
Why meditation is important:
Through it we are transformed by the Word; washed by it. We allow the Word to get through us rather than us getting through the Word! We can have all the knowledge about the Bible, but in order for us to be changed by it, it must sink into our hearts.
Meditation & Obedience:
Meditation must always result in obedience to the Word; that is the point!!!
Why meditate – The Blessing of Meditating on Scripture from Psalm 1
Happiness – “happy are those”
Fruitfulness – “which yield their fruit in season”
Freshness – “their leaves do not wither”
Prosperity – “in all they do, they prosper”
Making it a part of our life
- Not just an occasional thing to add variety to Bible reading, make it an integral/central part
- Make it a part of your regular “habit” of reading. It takes time, but it is worth it!
- Remember don’t rush, be like the bee who goes to the deeper part of the flower for the nectar.
- Journal as a way to help you remember/process what God is saying to you
- Remember we are reading for depth not breadth. Don’t measure your success by how much you read.
Memorization
“Memorization allows us to choose words and images that shape our minds and hearts.” When we memorize something, it works in us even when aren’t thinking about it.
“I treasure your word in my heart”
V16 – “I will not forget your word.”
When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), He battled Satan with Scripture. No doubt, Jesus had stored up Scripture in his heart and memory so that He was able to fire right back at Satan’s deceptive words.
If you were put into solitary confinement, what sort of things would you have learned by heart to nourish your soul?
Memorizing Scripture is another way by which we can become transformed by the Word.
Exercises:
1) After practicing Meditation, memorize the Scripture that you just meditated on.
2) Memorize your favorite Scripture. If you don’t have a particular favorite, choose one that resonates with you.
3) Find a Scripture that helps you face a particular temptation and memorize it. Whenever you are faced with that temptation, begin to recite the memorized Scripture.
Tips on Memorization:
- Read it aloud, slowly, and repeatedly.
- Before you attempt to memorize just the words, let the meaning of the Scripture sink into you.
- After several times, try to recite as much as you can without reading, do this until you can say it without reading it.
- Repetition, repetition, repetition!
- Work on it every day for several days. Don’t try to memorize it all in one sitting.
- Write it out and take it with you.
Next Week: Beginning the 3 S’s: Silence, Solitude, Slowing
