Level: 2, Lesson: 1
HOW TO MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
OUTLINE

John 6:63: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

God’s Word is vibrant and carries the life and energy of God. It’s supernatural.
Romans 12:2: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
We can recognize God’s perfect will through the renewing of our mind.
Our souls, which are made up of the mind, intellect, emotions and will, are transformed as they come into agreement with the Word of God.
This transformation of the soul takes place through meditating on God’s Word.

Reading the Bible is not meditation, but it helps in:

1. Familiarizing ourselves with the scriptures.
2. Giving the Holy Spirit an opportunity to breathe on or accentuate a passage of scripture.
   
   Memorizing scripture is also not meditation. You can quote a verse and still not have it affect your life, but prayer saturates the soul with truth.
   In the Greek, "meditate" means "to mutter or to muse - to think upon or mutter to oneself, speaking under your breath." Meditating on the Word of God involves two aspects:

1. Muttering the scriptures to ourselves. Reading a portion of scripture over and over and getting it on the inside of your heart begins the process of meditation.
2. Musing or thinking upon a scripture.

We need to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the scriptures and paint a picture of victory for us. Through meditation, there will come a point in time when the picture from the verse will be more real in our thinking and heart than any other pictures we’ve carried around on the inside of us.

Psalms 1:3: "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

The result of meditating on God’s Word day and night is that we will prosper.

Our souls are created with the ability to carry the pictures that the scripture have painted for us of victory around on the inside of us day and night. In the same way that we can worry day and night, we can meditate on the truths and promises of God’s Word.

If we want to experience the renewing of our minds and prosper in what we do, it will require us to meditate on God’s Word.

HOW TO MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
Lesson Text

1. The word meditation actually means "to mutter to oneself." It also means "to muse, to consider, to think upon." Biblical meditation is not the act of emptying one’s mind, but rather filling it with God’s Word.
2. Meditation is not memorization. It is not thinking of each specific word in the scriptures. Meditation is first of all recognizing the picture that the scriptures paint for us. It may be a passage that brings us a picture of peace—or a picture of healing for a sick body. Maybe it is a picture of provision. Meditation is carrying that picture of life around on the inside of us. It is exciting that our souls were created by God with the ability to carry a picture of victory around, day and night. We certainly know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with fear day and night. In the same way, our heart and mind can be saturated with the life of God’s Word without ceasing.
3. As we meditate on the Word of God, we attack and tear down the strongholds in our thought lives. This is important because it is our thoughts that determine our actions. Your body or your life can never go in a direction that your thoughts have not previously gone.
   
   God told Joshua that he was to meditate on His Word day and night "that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it." The principle is that we do what we see in our minds. The mind has two basic functions: memory and imagination. We are created by God to perform what we first see in our minds. Every action is first preceded by a thought picture. For example, adultery is played over in one’s mind long before the act of adultery takes place.
4. As we meditate on God’s Word, we allow the Word to paint a picture for us of strength, purity, and victory. The process of exchanging our negative thoughts with these pictures is the process of "renewing" our minds. We really don’t see with our eyes—we see with our minds. Our lives will rise and fall, depending upon the pictures we carry around on the inside of us.

When Joshua meditated on God’s promises, he began to see himself performing and experiencing those promises, consequently making them a reality with his actions.

1. 1. Define what biblical meditation is and is not.
   2. How can a person be prosperous and have success (Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2-3)?
2. How do people meditate on negative things? Worry and anxiety.
3. What does Philippians 4:8 tell us to do?
4. As we meditate upon Christ, what happens to us according to II Corinthians 3:18?

HOW TO MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
(Additional information)

The word "meditation" actually means to mutter to oneself. It also means to muse, to consider, to think upon. Biblical meditation is not the act of emptying one’s mind, but rather filling it with God’s Word. The way to meditate on the Word of God is to begin saying it out loud, forcing one’s mind to think about what is being said.

Meditation on God’s Word Renews our Minds

In Romans 12:2 we read, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God." From this scripture we see that the result of renewing our minds is that we experience a transformation in our lives. And, it is only through meditation on God’s Word that we experience the renewing of our minds. Still, there are misconceptions many Christians have regarding meditation that hinder the effectiveness of the scriptures in their lives. For example, the act of just reading the Bible, although it is important, does not necessarily result in the renewing of our minds. Another popular misconception is that confessing God’s Word automatically equates to meditation of God’s Word. Confessing the Word of God does aid us in meditation, but I know people who quote scripture all the time, yet their lives reflect very little of God’s nature and power.

As we look closer at what the scriptures say about meditating on God’s Word, we begin to discover how it is accomplished. In Psalms 1:2-3 we read, "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth it’s fruit in it’s season, whose leaf shall not whither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Notice what the scripture says about the man or woman who meditates on the Word of God. The psalmist says that his life will be like a tree whose roots drive down so deep, and tap into a river so full of life, that the tree of his life will always produce fruit and never whither. Whatever they put their hand to they will prosper. How is this accomplished? By meditating in God’s Word day and night. Another scripture that talks about meditating on the Word of God day and night is in Joshua 1:8: "This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shall make thy way prosperous and then thou shall have good success."

At first this seems impossible. It is kind of like I Thessalonians 5:17 which says, "Pray without ceasing." These are some pretty intimidating scriptures, especially if you are a mother with small children, or a wife and mother who works outside of the home. Have you ever worried without ceasing? Have you ever been full of anxiety day and night?

The same part of your soul that worries is the same part of your soul that prays or meditates. In other words, since you have the capacity to worry without ceasing, you have the capacity to pray and meditate day and night.

Meditation is not memorization. It is not thinking of each specific word in the scripture. Meditation is first of all recognizing the picture that the scriptures paint for us. It may be a scripture that brings us a picture of peace or a picture of healing for a sick body. Maybe it is a picture of provision. Meditation is carrying that picture of life around on the inside of us. What is exciting is that God created our souls with the ability to carry pictures of victory around, day and night. We certainly know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with fear day and night. In the same way, our hearts and minds can be saturated with the life of God’s Word without ceasing. Even while we are asleep, our souls can be bathed with God’s life-giving Word.

The Principle of Seeing and Doing

It is as we are meditating on the Word of God that we attack and tear down the strongholds in our thought lives. This is important because it is our thoughts that determine our actions. In other words, your body, or your life can never go in a direction that your thoughts have not previously gone. Look at a principle of truth found in the book of Joshua. In Joshua 1:8 God told Joshua to meditate on His word day and night, that he may observe to do according to all that was written in the Word. The principle is that we do what we see in our minds. The mind has two basic functions: memory and imagination. We are created by God to perform what we first see in our minds. Every action is first preceded by a thought that paints a picture. For example, adultery does not come on a man or woman like a seizure. The thoughts and fantasies of adultery are played over in one’s mind long before the act of adultery takes place.

As we meditate on God’s Word we are allowing the Word to paint a picture for us of strength, purity and victory. The process of exchanging these pictures with our negative thoughts is the process of renewing our minds. We really don’t see with our eyes, we see with our minds. Our lives will rise and fall according to the picture that we carry around on the inside of us. For example, it was as Joshua meditated on God’s promises that he began to see himself performing and experiencing those promises, consequently making them a reality.

The Power of God’s Word
(Additional Information)

In II Corinthians 10:4 it says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. What are these weapons that God has given us? They are the Word of God, the blood of Jesus, the name of Jesus and the intercession of the believers. When we mix faith with these weapons we begin to experience the power of His grace.

God’s Word is more than black words on white paper. It is supernatural. Jesus said in John 6:63, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life." In II Timothy 3:16 it says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God (God breathed) and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness." John 6:63 says, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."

Scripture is the standard or rule by which we are able to judge if what we believe is correct, regardless of how strongly we may feel about it. His Word, year after year, never changes and is always the same.

When we pick up the Bible, we need to remember that it is the book with God in it. It is not just black words on white paper. Actually, it is more than a book that tells us about God. It is a supernatural work. Therefore, you can not separate God from His Word. The same attributes that apply to God apply to His Word. Since we know that God is faithful, we know His word is faithful. If God is all truth, and it is impossible for Him to lie, then we know that the scriptures are truth, and we can trust them with our lives. Stop seeing the Bible as just a book written about God, and begin to look at the scriptures as an expression of the heart of the Father. The scriptures are a living, breathing, testament of God’s will for your life.

Most Christians look at the scriptures as simply a manual for living. Even though that is partly true, if that is the only revelation they have of the Bible, then their time in the Word will be dry and lifeless. In John 1:1 we catch another glimpse of the true nature of the scriptures. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God." In verse 14 of John, chapter one, we read, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . ."

In Revelation 19:11-13 we read, "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."

The Word is like its author: Eternal. Powerful. Victorious. Living! The Word is the out-breathing of God. It is God speaking to you today. It speaks of winning, victory, joy and surrender. His Word speaks of prosperity,, healing and victory over sin! The Word of God has the supernatural ability to change your life from the inside out! Ask the Holy Spirit to breathe the truth of His Word into your heart. Receive His power and life.

God’s Word has the power to help us discern what our faith is in, and enables us to discern if what we are thinking is from God. Look at Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit; and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

As we consistently expose our thoughts and feelings to God’s Word, the light of His Word exposes the true motives of our feelings and subsequent decisions. As we continually expose our minds to the Word of God, we begin to see our thoughts and imaginations for what they really are.

Here are some questions to think about for this lesson

Level 2 Lesson 2 Questions
HOW TO MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD

1. According to John 6:63, what are Jesus' words?
2. If we renew out minds according to Romans 12:2, what can we prove or recognize?
3. Meditation on God's Word isn't just reading the Bible. Meditation is not just quoting verses. Do you remember what the instructor said meditation is?
4. According to Psalms 1, what are the benefits of meditating in the law of the Lord?
5. How often should we do this?
6. What does Philippians 4:8 tell us to do?
7. As we meditate upon Christ, what happens to us according to II Corinthians 3:18?

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