
Key Difference: Meditation helps us to follow Jesus; study helps us to learn life’s truths.
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Meditation involves how to hear & obey Jesus’ voice. (Deuteronomy 6:3)
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What makes Christian meditation different?
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Eastern meditation’s goal is to empty one’s mind of worldly thoughts.
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Christian meditation’s goal is to fill one’s mind with Jesus’ thoughts.
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What makes Christian meditation hard? (Hebrews 4:16)
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Apathy: We want someone else to listen for us.(Jeremiah 42:3-4)
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Fear: We are afraid we won’t be received. (Isaiah 6: 1, 5)
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What to meditate on?
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Scripture (Deuteronomy 11:18)
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Nature (Romans 1:19-20)
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Events (Luke 2:19)
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Study involves transformation through truth’s teaching. (Romans 12:2a)
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What is the process?
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Repetition: Repeatedly interacting with new thoughts which change behavior.
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Concentration: Focused attention on the subject.
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Comprehension: Focused attention on the new insight.
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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.
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What to study?
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The reflections of others through books. (2 Timothy 3:16)
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Out observations of life: Nature, relationships, self-awareness, cultures.
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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.