Stone Soup for Five: Expanded Biblical Meditation -- Part 2

Expanded Biblical Meditation -- Part 2


In the first post in this series of expanded Biblical meditation we read through a section of verses to meditate over and then drilled them down to one word or phrase.  This can be used for pretty much any verse or verses you choose, which is why it is so exciting to learn how to study and meditate over the Bible this way!  If you haven't read that first post, click the link up there and read through it, then pop back over to this one.



If you have read it, now we jump into the fun/painful/encouraging/convicting part:  The questions!

With your subject, word, or phrase that you settled on from part one in mind, start working through and answering these questions:


  • What causes it?
  • Where do you see it, or not see it, in the world?  In your life?
  • What does deliberate use of it look like?  Casual use?  Neglect?
  • What effect does it have?  What fruit does it create?
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The best way I learn something is through lots of examples, so I'll share photos from an Expanded Meditation I did through Psalm 119:65-66.  With pictures!  


Here is the completed two page spread in my journal.  (If you are wondering what journal I'm using, you can find it here.) 

I worked through the first steps by writing the verses on the top left corner, answering the "I wonder" and "I notice" questions and then looking up and writing out definitions to words like discernment, wisdom and dealt.  Then I boiled it down to a two word focus of "Wisdom" and "Discernment."

Now, for part two, I started asking the questions above:
Where do I see this in the world?

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Then I answered where I see it, or not see it in my life... and added some thoughts that helped me work through a particularly hard season of parenting.


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The great thing about this type of Bible meditation is is asks and answers questions that you are immediately dealing with in life.  Those insights lead to others...


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Continue to ask the other questions above and journal through your answers.
I have more questions for you to work through, so look for part three soon! 

Tips:
  1. Be kind to you.  If this is your first time doing Biblical meditation, be nice.  Treat you like you would treat a friend you were teaching something new.
  2. Not all the questions need to be answered.  Sometimes you can skip some that don't seem to apply (like I did in this example) and sometimes one might lead you to another thought or idea that is not part of the question.  That's perfect! That's what this is all about!  We're making connections with life and the Bible and how God is moving.  
  3. There is no right or wrong way to do this.  You might want to write it out on lined paper in a linear form. That's great!  Maybe you want to add a lot of stickers, stamps, doodles, or pictures... go for it!  Circle, box, doodle, or just write.
  4. Give yourself time. This is new and though it's not hard, it's definitely not easy.  You'll get it!
If you haven't tried any of the Journal and Doodle Bible studies, they all have built-in meditation along with some fun doodles.  Check them all out here, or subscribe on the right side bar to get your free copy of the study through Ephesians!

If you've tried this, I'd love to hear from you! Be sure to leave me a comment below and let's talk!

2 comments:

  1. Would you say that wisdom and discernment is mainly about how you live your life and the choices you make or does it also include challenging what you have been taught by the church and seeing if it stands up to what is there in the Scriptures?

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    Replies
    1. Julie, I cannot answer this for Kari, the Author, but I would think, realistically, wisdom and discernment is about both - how you live your life and the choices you make, plus challenging what you have been taught by the church and seeing if it stands up to what is in the Scriptures. Because remember, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life. If what you encounter lines up with the Scripture, but you feel inside something needs a little tweak - like for example, old testament said no fish on friday, but when Christ paid for us - he abolished that law, so if we want fish on friday, we can have it now. (Silly example, but it's a nice safe one.) Wisdom would say follow the rules, (and we do) but discernment would say logically Christ paid for us, so we could/should be free to eat fish if we like it. Again, silly but safe logical choice for a wisdom and discernment debate. It's about what you want to put into yourself with the wisdom and discernment that Jesus gave us, because he is within us. He loves us that much.

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