Key Difference: Meditation helps us to follow Jesus; study helps us to learn life’s truths.

 

1. Meditation involves how to hear & obey  Jesus’ voice. (Deuteronomy 6:3)

   1. What makes Christian meditation different?

      1. Eastern meditation’s goal is to empty one’s mind of worldly thoughts.

      2. Christian meditation’s goal is to fill one’s mind with Jesus’ thoughts.

   2. What makes Christian meditation hard? (Hebrews 4:16)

      1. Apathy: We want someone else to listen for us.(Jeremiah 42:3-4)

      2. Fear: We are afraid we won’t be received. (Isaiah 6: 1, 5)

   3. What to meditate on?

      1. Scripture (Deuteronomy 11:18)

      2. Nature (Romans 1:19-20)

      3. Events (Luke 2:19)

2. Study involves transformation through truth’s teaching. (Romans 12:2a)

   1. What is the process?

      1. Repetition: Repeatedly interacting with new thoughts which change behavior.

      2. Concentration: Focused attention on the subject.

      3. Comprehension: Focused attention on the new insight.

      4. Reflection: Discovering the significance of the new insight.

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Study demands humility, because we subject our thoughts and actions to the subject.

1. 1. What to study?

      1. The reflections of others through books. (2 Timothy 3:16)

      2. Out observations of life: Nature, relationships, self-awareness, cultures.

 

Take Away: Jesus is our “square hole” trainer for those interested in modifying their shape. 

“A round man cannot be expected to fit into a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape.”               -Mark Twain

 

Next Steps:

__Commit to return next Sunday

__Commit to read the book of Genesis in one sitting; write down

    your questions  

__Commit to study, rather than read the Bible 

__Commit to be guided by a spiritual director.  

    spiritualrenewalcenter.com