About 15 of us gathered in the church hall on Saturday 5th July with Adam Curtis for one of the St Mary’s ‘Pop-Up Theology’ sessions. Most of us knew little or nothing about Biblical Meditation.
We separated into pairs and did a listening exercise, asking our partner some questions to find out about them. The last three questions were about our knowledge and experience of biblical meditation. I had experience of non-judgemental listening from my job as an independent advocate but other people found it less easy.
Adam then spoke about what biblical meditation is not and then he explained what it is. About being fully engaged with the word and having a relationship with our Father in heaven, choosing to meditate on the personal words of God filling our minds.
In the New Testament meditation as a word is not used, but there are similar concepts.
“Dwell”- Philippians 4.8
“Consider” – Hebrews 11.9
“Fix your attention on”- Colossians 3.2
“Recall”- Hebrews 13.7
We then went into our pairs again to look at various Bible verses to discuss the benefits of biblical meditation, the motivation for meditation and what we should meditate on.
We then looked at biblical meditation more closely:
It is a biblical practice.
It is ‘word of God’ focused.
It enables growth.
It has practical implications.
It is Christ centred.
We then talked about getting started. Adam said to choose a verse that you know and understand and dwell on it. Be in a quiet place which helps you to focus. Stop and listen to Jesus and sit at his feet. Try and keep your body still which will help to focus. Maybe set a timer. We were also given practical suggestions; asking questions, emphasis, picture it, negative/ positive, paraphrase the verse, memorise it and self-examination.
Biblical meditation leads to prayer.
Adam said that he was going to give us ten minutes to meditate on our chosen verse. Someone said that they had never concentrated on anything for more than a few seconds and there was no way that they would manage ten minutes. We couldn’t believe it when Adam said that there was one minute left!
I chose Hebrews 2:9. I tried to focus on a few words but I was drawn to constantly repeat the whole verse. I found it quite an emotional experience. I will certainly try and include biblical meditation in my daily quiet time with the Lord.
There is another chance to go to Adam’s session on Biblical Meditation on Thursday 24th July, from 1pm to 3pm.