Time of Meditation: Week of October 3
Several days this week, meditate on a passage of Scripture for 10-15 minutes.
What?
Several days this week, meditate on a passage of Scripture for 10-15 minutes.
Why?
Many ideas, stories, people, and experiences capture our minds and imaginations, promising us joy, fulfillment, identity, and more. Because these promises are not founded on infinite love and faithfulness and truth, they will inevitably disappoint us and leave us lost and confused. But God is, in fact, infinitely loving and faithful, and his promises are “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Heb 6:19). By filling our minds with his Word, his promises seep into our imaginations and hearts so that we long for and are satisfied in the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
How?
Most will find it helpful first to set a specific time to spend in meditation. Then, pick one passage to meditate on throughout the week, or pick a number of passages. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at the TPC Daily Reading plan. If you read all the selections on a given day, set apart some time to meditate on a smaller passage within that day’s readings. The idea here is not simply to read but to chew on and digest and be filled with God’s Word.
(Notice the difference between Eastern meditation and biblical meditation. In Eastern meditation, one attempts to center oneself or empty one’s mind. In biblical meditation, one fills one’s mind with the truth of Scripture.)
If you’ve never practiced biblical meditation, here are some tips:
Read the passage slowly.
As you read, pay attention to the various aspects of the passage. What is God doing? What role does his Anointed One play? How are the effects of sin being undone? What does God reveal about a restored universe? How do his people respond? You may want to reread the passage multiple times.
Allow your imagination to swim in the passage or even a few verses. Make its descriptions and images come to life. Really place yourself into the passage as far as possible.
Take account of the ways in which the passage interacts with you. Does it challenge your thinking, cause you to worship or wonder, convict you of sin? Process these things, and turn your thoughts and feelings into prayer.
If you find that your mind wanders, do not worry about it. Simply acknowledge that your mind has wandered then turn back to filling your mind with truth.
Memorize Scripture: Week of September 5
Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 this week and meditate on it throughout the month.
What?
Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 this week and meditate on it throughout the month.
Why?
When the devil sought to tempt Jesus, the Son of God responded with the Word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4, quoting Deut 8:3). He resisted the lure of sin by storing the Word in his heart (Ps 119:11) and relishing it as sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10). By following this pattern of Scripture memorization, we discover the will of God more fully, discern truth from error more easily, disciple others more effectively, and commune with the Father more deeply. In short, we grow more into the image of Christ — full of his life, love, peace, and righteousness.
How?
Memorization techniques abound, and a simple internet search could track down some effective methods (like this one for long-term memorization). But to store the Word in your heart is a deeper process that ought to integrate as much of you — mind, spirit, and body — as possible. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips:
1. Understand the text. Look at the full context in which the passage falls and take time to consider what the author intended to communicate. Do a little study.
2. Meditate on the text. Allow the Word to fill your imagination, considering all the implications of the text and how it affects you directly. Wonder at the majesty of God revealed in the text, express gratitude for his goodness, and join your story to his Story.
3. Pray the text. Turn those verses into a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, confession, or petition.
4. Embody the text. This could mean two things. Embodying the text could refer to living it out, practicing what it says. And you should certainly do that. But also engage the text with your body: Speak it out loud, listen to it, and write it. To challenge your creativity, draw it or turn it into a song.
Combine these with traditional memorization techniques, which usually involve a fair amount of repetition and quizzing yourself, and ask the Holy Spirit to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Scripture Before Screens: Week of August 1
Before opening a phone or computer, open and read the Word of God.
What?
Before opening a phone or computer, open and read the Word of God.
Why?
Refusing to check the phone until after reading a passage of Scripture is a way of replacing the question "What do I need to do today?” with a better one, “Who am I and who am I becoming?” Daily immersion in the Scriptures resists the anxiety of emails, the outrage of news, and the envy of social media. Instead, it exposes our sin, reveals our Savior, and forms us daily in our true identity as children of the King, dearly loved.
(The Common Rule, adapted)
How?
Consider following a daily Bible reading plan like TPC Reads, the plan created specifically for our church body (www.theparkschurch.com/tpcreads). If you’re new to this practice, begin by reading only the daily Psalm or just a chapter from the Old or New Testament reading. (If you are not receiving the daily email with that day’s readings with reflection questions, email Michael and ask to be added to the mailing list.)
Before you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would allow you to hear what God has said and is still saying and to receive his Word as your final authority.
As you read, you can ask yourself these three questions as a starting point: (1) What does this reveal about God? (2) How does this expose my need for his salvation in Jesus Christ? (3) How should I respond?
Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Journal Scripture: Week of July 4
Journal a reflection on one passage of Scripture this week.
What?
Journal a reflection on one passage of Scripture this week.
Why?
The history of God’s people is littered with examples of people forgetting and failing to apply God’s Word. Journaling cannot cure us of that by any means, but writing down our meditations on Scripture presses God’s revelation more deeply into our hearts. In journaling, we are forced to be more attentive and to wrestle with what God is saying rather than gloss over the text. And we are forced to reckon with ourselves, identifying the ways in which the text is convicting us of sin, encouraging us to give praise and thanksgiving, or calling us to greater dependence on the Lord.
How?
There is no right or wrong way to journal, but the HEAR method (Highlight, Explain, Apply, Respond) is a helpful way of listening to the Word of God intently and responding faithfully. In the HEAR journaling method, we begin by praying that the Spirit would give us insight and by reading the passage carefully. We then create four sections in our journal and consider the following questions in each section. (The point is not to answer each question but to allow these questions to guide our reflection.)
Highlight
What verse(s) stand out the most to you?
Write out the verse including its reference.
Give a title to that section of Scripture in your own words.
Explain
What is the author’s intended meaning in the context of the passage?
To whom was it written and why?
How does it fit with the verses before and after it?
What does the passage reveal about God? About his people? About humanity?
How does the passage relate to the overarching story of Scripture, centered on Jesus Christ?
Do any other Scriptures come to mind that aid your understanding of this passage?
Apply
What is God revealing to me, as someone saved by faith in Jesus?
How does this passage deepen my understanding of and trust in God and his promises?
How does it cause me to worship, wonder, and give thanks?
What is it calling to remembrance about him that I often forget?
How is it directing my desires, thoughts, and action?
What sins, false idols, or misguided desires does it expose that I need to confess?
What values of God’s Kingdom is it calling me to exhibit?
Are there commands to obey or examples to follow?
Respond
How will I respond to this passage?
How will I engage my spheres of influence this week differently because of this passage?
How will this passage affect my thought and prayer life?
Write out your specific call to action or a specific prayer.
Memorize Scripture: Week of May 30
Memorize Psalm 1:1-3; 19:7-9; or 119:129-132.
What?
Memorize Psalm 1:1-3; 19:7-9; or 119:129-132.
Why?
When the devil sought to tempt Jesus, the Son of God responded with the Word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4, quoting Deut 8:3). He resisted the lure of sin by storing the Word in his heart (Ps 119:11) and relishing it as sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10). By following this pattern of Scripture memorization, we discover the will of God more fully, discern truth from error more easily, disciple others more effectively, and commune with the Father more deeply. In short, we grow more into the image of Christ — full of his life, love, peace, and righteousness.
How?
Memorization techniques abound, and a simple internet search could track down some effective methods (like this one for long-term memorization). But to store the Word in your heart is a deeper process that ought to integrate as much of you — mind, spirit, and body — as possible. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips:
1. Understand the text. Look at the full context in which the passage falls and take time to consider what the author intended to communicate. Do a little study.
2. Meditate on the text. Allow the Word to fill your imagination, considering all the implications of the text and how it affects you directly. Wonder at the majesty of God revealed in the text, express gratitude for his goodness, and join your story to his Story.
3. Pray the text. Turn those verses into a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, confession, or petition.
4. Embody the text. This could mean two things. Embodying the text could refer to living it out, practicing what it says. And you should certainly do that. But also engage the text with your body: Speak it out loud, listen to it, and write it. To challenge your creativity, draw it or turn it into a song.
Combine these with traditional memorization techniques, which usually involve a fair amount of repetition and quizzing yourself, and ask the Holy Spirit to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Time of Meditation: Week of May 9
Several days this week, meditate on a passage of Scripture for 10-15 minutes.
What?
Several days this week, meditate on a passage of Scripture for 10-15 minutes.
Why?
Many ideas, stories, people, and experiences capture our minds and imaginations, promising us joy, fulfillment, identity, and more. Because these promises are not founded on infinite love and faithfulness and truth, they will inevitably disappoint us and leave us lost and confused. But God is, in fact, infinitely loving and faithful, and his promises are “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Heb 6:19). By filling our minds with his Word, his promises seep into our imaginations and hearts so that we long for and are satisfied in the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
How?
Most will find it helpful first to set a specific time to spend in meditation. Then, pick one passage to meditate on throughout the week, or pick a number of passages. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at the TPC Daily Reading plan. If you read all the selections on a given day, set apart some time to meditate on a smaller passage within that day’s readings. The idea here is not simply to read but to chew on and digest and be filled with God’s Word.
(Notice the difference between Eastern meditation and biblical meditation. In Eastern meditation, one attempts to center oneself or empty one’s mind. In biblical meditation, one fills one’s mind with the truth of Scripture.)
If you’ve never practiced biblical meditation, here are some tips:
Read the passage slowly.
As you read, pay attention to the various aspects of the passage. What is God doing? What role does his Anointed One play? How are the effects of sin being undone? What does God reveal about a restored universe? How do his people respond? You may want to reread the passage multiple times.
Allow your imagination to swim in the passage or even a few verses. Make its descriptions and images come to life. Really place yourself into the passage as far as possible.
Take account of the ways in which the passage interacts with you. Does it challenge your thinking, cause you to worship or wonder, convict you of sin? Process these things, and turn your thoughts and feelings into prayer.
If you find that your mind wanders, do not worry about it. Simply acknowledge that your mind has wandered then turn back to filling your mind with truth.
Memorize Scripture: Week of April 18
Memorize Romans 6:4-5 this week.
What?
Memorize Romans 6:4-5 this week.
Why?
When the devil sought to tempt Jesus, the Son of God responded with the Word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4, quoting Deut 8:3). He resisted the lure of sin by storing the Word in his heart (Ps 119:11) and relishing it as sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10). By following this pattern of Scripture memorization, we discover the will of God more fully, discern truth from error more easily, disciple others more effectively, and commune with the Father more deeply. In short, we grow more into the image of Christ — full of his life, love, peace, and righteousness.
How?
Memorization techniques abound, and a simple internet search could track down some effective methods (like this one for long-term memorization). But to store the Word in your heart is a deeper process that ought to integrate as much of you — mind, spirit, and body — as possible. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips:
1. Understand the text. Look at the full context in which the passage falls and take time to consider what the author intended to communicate. Do a little study.
2. Meditate on the text. Allow the Word to fill your imagination, considering all the implications of the text and how it affects you directly. Wonder at the majesty of God revealed in the text, express gratitude for his goodness, and join your story to his Story.
3. Pray the text. Turn those verses into a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, confession, or petition.
4. Embody the text. This could mean two things. Embodying the text could refer to living it out, practicing what it says. And you should certainly do that. But also engage the text with your body: Speak it out loud, listen to it, and write it. To challenge your creativity, draw it or turn it into a song.
Combine these with traditional memorization techniques, which usually involve a fair amount of repetition and quizzing yourself, and ask the Holy Spirit to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Scripture Before Screens: Week of Mar 21
Before opening a phone or computer, open and read the Word of God.
What?
Before opening a phone or computer, open and read the Word of God.
Why?
Refusing to check the phone until after reading a passage of Scripture is a way of replacing the question "What do I need to do today?” with a better one, “Who am I and who am I becoming?” Daily immersion in the Scriptures resists the anxiety of emails, the outrage of news, and the envy of social media. Instead, it exposes our sin, reveals our Savior, and forms us daily in our true identity as children of the King, dearly loved.
(The Common Rule, adapted)
How?
Consider following a daily Bible reading plan like TPC Reads, the plan created specifically for our church body (www.theparkschurch.com/tpcreads). If you’re new to this practice, begin by reading only the daily Psalm or just a chapter from the Old or New Testament reading. (If you are not receiving the daily email with that day’s readings with reflection questions, email Michael and ask to be added to the mailing list.)
Before you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would allow you to hear what God has said and is still saying and to receive his Word as your final authority.
As you read, you can ask yourself these three questions as a starting point: (1) What does this reveal about God? (2) How does this expose my need for his salvation in Jesus Christ? (3) How should I respond?
Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Meditate on God's Attributes and Works: Week of Feb 7
Write down one true thing about God every day and meditate on this attribute or work of God.
What?
Write down one true thing about God every day and meditate on this attribute or work of God.
Why?
Often without our being aware, images and songs, symbols and speeches, and the habits and patterns of our life dance before our imagination, shaping us to place ourselves at the center of our universe, the power that can create our own reality, that can shape our own destiny. But we make poor gods. And so we must fill our imagination with visions of the true God revealed in the pages of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. By setting our minds on him, we begin to counter the self-centeredness of our culture and to turn our focus — and ultimately our trust and hopes — to him.
How?
The most effective way to do this (so that we do not simply write down what we think is true about God but what is actually true about him) is to pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal himself to you through the Word. Then, as you read Scripture, be sensitive to what the Lord says about himself. Does the passage of Scripture you choose to read state an explicit attribute of God? If not, ask questions like: What kind of promises does he make or fulfill? What does he desire for his people? How does he respond to the faithful? The unfaithful? Are there particular images or metaphors used to describe him?
(You can also consider this list of characteristics of God with brief definitions and corresponding Scriptures.)
As the Lord reveals himself in his Word, allow your imagination to marinade in that particular attribute or work. There isn’t one specific way to do this, but here are a few things to consider:
Envision God with that attribute. Really picture him as loving or almighty or eternal.
Consider other Scriptures that speak of that attribute. Does anything else that you have heard or read about that aspect of God come to mind?
Ask yourself what it really means that God is X. Think through the implications. Ask, “If God is X, then…”
Think about how that attribute is expressed throughout Scripture. How has it been expressed in your life?
What affections fill you as you ponder upon God? Why is that? Sit on these things.
Think about the things you tend to make god. How do they stack up?
If we are called to godliness, how does your life compare?
How would your life change if you really believed that God was truly merciful, just, or all-wise?
You might make a resolution to do something in particular to bring your life into line with the truth you are meditating upon.
Pray a prayer of praise or thankfulness, or confess the ways in which you neglect or turn from God.
If you find that your mind wanders, do not worry about it. Simply acknowledge that your mind has wandered then turn back to filling your mind with truth about God.
Memorize Scripture: Week of January 3
To mark the season of Epiphany, which draws our attention to the revelation of Jesus’ glory, memorize Hebrews 1:3 by the end of the week.
What?
To mark the season of Epiphany, which draws our attention to the revelation of Jesus’ glory, memorize Hebrews 1:3 by the end of the week.
Why?
When the devil sought to tempt Jesus, the Son of God responded with the Word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4, quoting Deut 8:3). He resisted the lure of sin by storing the Word in his heart (Ps 119:11) and relishing it as sweeter than honey (Ps 19:10). By following this pattern of Scripture memorization, we discover the will of God more fully, discern truth from error more easily, disciple others more effectively, and commune with the Father more deeply. In short, we grow more into the image of Christ — full of his life, love, peace, and righteousness.
How?
Memorization techniques abound, and a simple internet search could track down some effective methods (like this one for long-term memorization). But to store the Word in your heart is a deeper process that ought to integrate as much of you — mind, spirit, and body — as possible. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips:
1. Understand the text. Look at the full context in which the passage falls and take time to consider what the author intended to communicate. Do a little study.
2. Meditate on the text. Allow the Word to fill your imagination, considering all the implications of the text and how it affects you directly. Wonder at the majesty of God revealed in the text, express gratitude for his goodness, and join your story to his Story.
3. Pray the text. Turn those verses into a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, confession, or petition.
4. Embody the text. This could mean two things. Embodying the text could refer to living it out, practicing what it says. And you should certainly do that. But also engage the text with your body: Speak it out loud, listen to it, and write it. To challenge your creativity, draw it or turn it into a song.
Combine these with traditional memorization techniques, which usually involve a fair amount of repetition and quizzing yourself, and ask the Holy Spirit to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Commit with another person to practice this discipline and hold each other accountable.
Joy: Time of Meditation (Week of Dec 13)
Several days this week, spend 10-15 minutes meditating on Scripture passages that describe the joy and harmony of God’s coming Kingdom.
What?
Several days this week, spend 10-15 minutes meditating on Scripture passages that describe the joy and harmony of God’s coming Kingdom.
Why?
Many things, people, and experiences promise to fill us with joy. Advertisers in particular place before our minds visions of delight that their products and services supposedly bring. Because these things are not fueled by infinite love and perfect peace, however, any joy they produce will fade. We must counter these false joys with visions of the Kingdom of God, where real delight can burst forth in response to God’s pure love and peace. By setting our minds on Christ’s coming Kingdom, we anticipate the rejoicing and delight of heaven even now.
How?
A number of passages that reveal bits of what God’s final Kingdom will be like are listed below. You can pick a different one each time you choose to meditate or sit on the same passage throughout the week.
First, read the passage slowly.
Second, as you read, pay attention to the various aspects of the passage. What is God doing? What role does his Anointed One play? How are the effects of sin being undone? What does God reveal about a restored universe? How do his people respond? You may want to reread the passage multiple times.
Third, allow your imagination to swim in the descriptions and images of the Kingdom. Imagine what it will be like to live in God’s perfect Kingdom with Christ and his Church.
Fourth, as you are filled with the love and peace that characterize the Kingdom of God, rejoice in the fact that the Spirit has invited you into this kind of life with him now in a spiritual sense and fully at Jesus’ return.
Passages could include:
Isaiah 2:1-5; 9:2-7; 11:1-10; 25; 35; 54; 61; 62:1-5; 65:17-25
Jeremiah 31:1-14
Ezekiel 34:25-31; 36:24-38; 37:21-28
Joel 2:21-32
Amos 9:11-15
Micah 4:1-7
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Zechariah 8; 9:9-17
Revelation 19:6-10; 21:1-22:5