Meditating

[LeightonH]

This might not be the right section, but i wanted to speak to actual Bible believing Christians about this.

What does it mean to meditate on the scriptures, exactly?

I ask because I was at a Bible study where the topic was meditating on scripture and the portion of scripture we were asked to meditate on was Romans 6:1-14. Great passage of course, but we were asked for our thoughts on it and after basically stating what we believed it meant, we were asked to read it again... and again... and again I think 4 or 5 times. Each time we were asked if anything new was revealed to us. I wanted to compare it to a few other passages in Romans, such as the rest of the chapter and also chapter 7 which I thought would provide some good context and was interconnected with chapter 6. But we were told, somewhat forcefully, that we were strictly meditating on chapter 6:1-14. I thought maybe we were missing something and the study leader was going to tell us about it, but we basically concluded after we stated what we believed it meant, multiple times. The whole thing left me a little frustrated.

So basically my question is: Is it Biblical to pick one portion of scripture to read over and over again, hoping for a revelation? Is that what is meant by meditating on scripture?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Meditating on . its like reading scripture . letting it float through your mind . let the passages unravel in your mind . let it be what it is . and think about what that is . and what it all means to you, and your surrounding universe .

its kinda like chewing your food so to speak .

 

[Vince53]

Psalm 1 promises great success to Christians who meditate on His Word. But HOW do you meditate on God's Word?

Obviously, spend time thinking about it. But reading the same verse in several different translations, researching the verse in word study books and commentaries, does help.

 

[Faith.Man]

This might not be the right section, but i wanted to speak to actual Bible believing Christians about this.

What does it mean to meditate on the scriptures, exactly?

I ask because I was at a Bible study where the topic was meditating on scripture and the portion of scripture we were asked to meditate on was Romans 6:1-14. Great passage of course, but we were asked for our thoughts on it and after basically stating what we believed it meant, we were asked to read it again... and again... and again I think 4 or 5 times. Each time we were asked if anything new was revealed to us. I wanted to compare it to a few other passages in Romans, such as the rest of the chapter and also chapter 7 which I thought would provide some good context and was interconnected with chapter 6. But we were told, somewhat forcefully, that we were strictly meditating on chapter 6:1-14. I thought maybe we were missing something and the study leader was going to tell us about it, but we basically concluded after we stated what we believed it meant, multiple times. The whole thing left me a little frustrated.

So basically my question is: Is it Biblical to pick one portion of scripture to read over and over again, hoping for a revelation? Is that what is meant by meditating on scripture?

This is nothing more than a tool, a help someone uses as an aid to meditating on scripture. Personally, I prefer reading the passage through once, then reading pertinent notes from a commentary or two, or three as I read each line again. I will probably read several different translations as well. If there seems to be a difference between translations, I might get into a word study using Vines or Keyword Study as a resource.

 

[nChrist]

I think that the beginning of any Bible Study should always be prayer and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. To me, meditating on a portion of Scripture would mean carefully and prayerfully considering the Scripture. Being careful could mean the addition of any number of things (i.e. using comparisons and cross references, topical notes, using ancient language helps, and whatever is needed to help in understanding).

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I think that the beginning of any Bible Study should always be prayer and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.

 

[Faith.Man]

I think that the beginning of any Bible Study should always be prayer and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. To me, meditating on a portion of Scripture would mean carefully and prayerfully considering the Scripture. Being careful could mean the addition of any number of things (i.e. using comparisons and cross references, topical notes, using ancient language helps, and whatever is needed to help in understanding).

You're absolutely correct. Prayer should be the first step.

 

[LeightonH]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. It's an area I'm seeing that I need to work on.

 

[desmalia]

This might not be the right section, but i wanted to speak to actual Bible believing Christians about this.

What does it mean to meditate on the scriptures, exactly?

I ask because I was at a Bible study where the topic was meditating on scripture and the portion of scripture we were asked to meditate on was Romans 6:1-14. Great passage of course, but we were asked for our thoughts on it and after basically stating what we believed it meant, we were asked to read it again... and again... and again I think 4 or 5 times. Each time we were asked if anything new was revealed to us. I wanted to compare it to a few other passages in Romans, such as the rest of the chapter and also chapter 7 which I thought would provide some good context and was interconnected with chapter 6. But we were told, somewhat forcefully, that we were strictly meditating on chapter 6:1-14. I thought maybe we were missing something and the study leader was going to tell us about it, but we basically concluded after we stated what we believed it meant, multiple times. The whole thing left me a little frustrated.

So basically my question is: Is it Biblical to pick one portion of scripture to read over and over again, hoping for a revelation? Is that what is meant by meditating on scripture?

Hi there, fellow British Columbian!

There are some great responses in this thread.
I would like to add that seeking context is NOT a bad thing, and it sounds like that's what you were attempting to do. When studying or meditating on the Scriptures it is absolutely vital that we not take that Scripture out of context. So I do have to wonder what kind of meditation your Bible study was focusing on if they were not open to this.

 

[pathseeker]

Meditating is nothing more than emptying your mind of stray thoughts, similar to prayer.
When you empty the mind do meditate on God's word it has a much greater meaning because you can actually reflect on what God's word is trying to tell you.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

hmm emptying the mind sounds dangerous . but if it is filled with His spirit then it is safe .

 

[desmalia]

Meditating is nothing more than emptying your mind of stray thoughts, similar to prayer.
When you empty the mind do meditate on God's word it has a much greater meaning because you can actually reflect on what God's word is trying to tell you.

Christian meditation is not about emptying the mind. It is about being still and quiet so that we are focused on our Lord and His word, yes, but that is not emptying the mind. In fact it involves filling it with the words of our Lord. It is unfortunate that eastern pagan practices have taken over the meaning of the word meditation. Far too many confuse it with Christian, biblical meditation.

 

[Man_is_Flawed]

So basically my question is: Is it Biblical to pick one portion of scripture to read over and over again, hoping for a revelation? Is that what is meant by meditating on scripture?

I find that meditating on scripture is not an exercise that can be led by any mortal being. My method is to read a passage and simply submit to an absolute absence of predisposition and prejudice. Through this practice, one's mind is able to grasp the implications of a passage from many angles, and is forced to grapple with the moral consequences of each interpretation. It bares one's soul and leads to revelations about oneself in addition to gaining knowledge of one's own flaws when comparing these interpretations to the literal truth set forth in each passage.