Spiritual Disciplines: The Word
In the fourth week of our series on The Spiritual Disciplines, Pastor Sean taught on the importance of meditating on the Word of God. This discipline, perhaps more than any others, can feel intimidating to people – maybe they aren’t sure how to start reading the Bible, or where in the Bible to start. Maybe it feels too overwhelming to read such a big book, or they just don’t enjoy reading. Some people have so many questions that they feel other people already know, so they just avoid it altogether.
As Sean said, reading the Word takes work, but if we don’t engage in this discipline, we are cut off from the transformative power of Scripture.
As we see throughout Scripture (Jeremiah 15:16, Ezekiel 3:1–3), the Word of God is like nourishing food for us. Just as our physical bodies need sustenance, our souls need the nourishment provided by the Bible. The Word is a source of life and vitality.
Meditating on the Word is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience. The Word has the power to cleanse, sanctify and shape our lives. It’s a tool for spiritual growth and development.
Sean offered some practical tips to help us grow in the discipline of Scripture reading and meditation:
- Pray Scripture: Read a passage and pray it back to God.
- Rest in the Word: Take time to reflect on Scripture and allow it to sink into your heart.
- See the Word as a love letter: Understand that the Bible is a love letter from God to you.
- Start: And if this is new to you, start small by beginning with a short passage or book and gradually increasing your Bible study time.
Meditating on the Word of God is a vital spiritual discipline that can deepen your relationship with God, transform your life, and provide you with the nourishment you need to thrive. By making time for regular Bible study and meditation, you can experience the life-changing power of God’s Word.
Reflection Questions
- How does the imagery of “nourishment” used by Sean resonate with your personal experience of Scripture? Have you ever felt spiritually hungry or thirsty, and how has the Word of God satisfied that longing?
- In what ways does the practice of meditating on Scripture that Sean explored differ from the worldly view of meditation? What specific barriers or excuses have you encountered when trying to meditate on the Word, and how can you address these challenges moving forward?
- How can you balance the intellectual study of Scripture with the spiritual experience of meditating on it? Can you find a way to integrate both aspects of Bible study?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in meditating on the Word? How can you invite the Spirit to guide your understanding and application of Scripture?
- How can you share your love for the Word with others? What practical steps can you take to encourage others to engage in Scripture meditation?
Watch the Message
Worship Songs from September 22
- “Lion”
- “What a Beautiful Name”
- “See You Right”
- “Gratitude”