The Gift of Scripture Meditation - Guide to Practical Applications
The Gift of Scripture Meditation - Psalm 1
Discussion Questions
Read Psalm 1 slowly. What invitation is God giving you through this text?
In your own words, how is the flourishing life (“blessed”) connected to delight and meditation on God’s Word? What does this mean for your life?
Why do you think the Psalm gives such a vivid image of the tree versus the chaff? What’s the impact of this vivid comparison?
What practices or steps will you take this week to be formed by God through His Word?
Practical Applications
We have compiled a list of practical ways to live out the spiritual discipline of scripture meditation. Give some of these practices a try and allow these practices to bring you to a closer relationship with God.
Lectio Divina
Read: Read the text slowly and prayerfully, constantly listening for that word that God has prepared for you. You may want to re-read the same text multiple times to help quiet yourself interiorly and focus on God’s voice. Listen and receive the Word that God speaks to you.
Reflect: When a word or phrase strikes you, stop and rest with it. Repeat the word or phrase to yourself. Allow it to speak to you in a personal way by pondering the word in your heart, reflecting on what it means to you. Memorize it and repeat it to yourself, allowing it to interact with your thoughts, hopes, memories, and desires.
Respond: Prayer is your response to God’s word. It begins your dialogue with God that comes from your heart. Formulate a prayer, as a response to God. What do you want to say to the Lord in response to the Word spoken to you? Enter into this loving conversation with God.
Remain: Rest in God’s presence and receive His transforming embrace. Sit still with God, realizing that in this deep and profound relationship, words are not necessary. Be content and at peace with a wordless, quiet rest in God, which brings joy to the heart. Remember that contemplation is not your action or doing, rather it is allowing God to act in you.
Scribing
This is the practice of writing the Word, forcing you to focus on what it says and move slowly…. There is no special technique. Simply pick a book of the Bible, a chapter, or a collection of passages and simply put pen to paper. Allow this to slow your processing of the Word. Move your focus to the text and what God is speaking to His people.
Memorization
The process of committing chunks of Scripture to memory, to call upon, reflect on.
Dwell App
This is a free resource for you. Experience the Word of God in audio form beyond just a reading of the text. Dwell offers a heightened way to listen to the Bible.
