Spiritual Disciplines The Word: Study & Meditation

Study & Meditation In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. (1 Tim. 4:6)

Bible 101 The Bible assumes that God exists. The Bible claims to be true. The Bible claims to be written by God. The Bible is a book about _____. God

Study of the Word And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures … And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:27-32

Intentional Influential Intensive Study of the Word ►

► Intentional For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10

Study of the Word ► Intentional Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Intentional Influential Intensive ► Study of the Word

► Influential Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is… Romans 12:2

Study of the Word ► Influential The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

Intentional Influential Intensive ► Study of the Word

► Intensive Acts 20:7-12 A young man named Eutychus …

And on the first day of the week…Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight… And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead.

But Paul went down and fell upon him and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him." And when he had gone back up, and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted. Acts 20:7-12

Study of the Word ► Intensive Galatians 1:13-17a A young man named Paul…

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.

but I went away to Arabia But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia…

Intentional Influential Intensive Study of the Word

Meditation

Meditation

When I think about the Lord How He saved, how He raised me How he picked me up Turned me around How He set my feet On solid ground James Huey When I Think About the Lord

Meditation Hebrew = Siach To go over a matter in one’s mind Key = the object of meditation ► God’s Works ► God’s Words

Meditation Hebrew = Siach ► God’s Works On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate. Psalm 145.5

Meditation Hebrew = Siach ► God’s Words O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97

Meditation Hebrew = Hagah Filled with deep thoughts of the deeds or will of God “Lost” in God Key = Deep

Meditation Hebrew = Hagah But his delight is the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

Meditation Hebrew = Hagah Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Application Can I really expect to grow as Christ’s disciple without practicing spiritual discipline?

Application What activities did Jesus practice? Such things as solitude and silence, prayer, simple and sacrificial living, intense study and meditation upon God's Word and God's ways, and service to others. Dallas Willard The Spirit of the Disciplines

Application ► God’s Word Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." John 6:68

Application ► God’s Word The goal of my life is to know God better than I know anything else so that I can delight in Him more than anything else.

Application ► God’s Word ► Bible reading programs ► Scripture Memory ► Advanced Classes/Training Mini-Seminary, Leadership U, Online, Seminary, Seminars, Weekly Classes ► Teach…Teach…Teach

Application ► Intentional ► “Firm up” my heart to study the Word (Ezra 7:10) ► Diligently attempt to “cut it straight” (2 Tim. 2:15) ► Think about the Lord; “Be Still”

Application ► Influential ► Actively purse “mind renewal” (Rom. 12:2) ► The goal of instruction is love (1 Tim. 1:5)

Application ► Intensive ► Study late sometimes (Acts 20:7-12) ► Go away to “Arabia” (Gal. 1:13-17a) ► Go “deep” with God

Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105