How to Meditate with the Bible
January 8, 2010 by Courtney Chalfant
Filed under News and Events
One of the most important topics we cover in our Christian Yoga Teacher Training is Scripture meditation. We believe that having a methodology can help Christians grow in their knowledge of God’s word.
There are two formal approaches to Scripture meditation commonly used among Christians. We will introduce you to both of these.
Formational Scripture Reading
In formational reading you primarily change your perspective of God’s Word from being a text to master to instead being a text that masters you and works on your spirit and soul, forming Christ within you. When we come to Scripture with this attitude we are believing that God’s Word is “living and active” in us and transforming us.
Lectio Divina
Another approach which is very similar to the formational method is Lectio Divina. This is is an approach to Scripture that originated with the desert fathers and mothers in the 4th century. It has four steps or elements, described in Latin as
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1) lectio (reading)
2) meditatio (meditation)
3) oratio (prayer)
4) contemplatio (contemplation)
These four steps are fairly self-explanatory. You start by slowly and carefully reading a portion of Scripture. You then spend some time reflecting on the passage. After internalizing the Scripture you return it to the Lord in prayer. The final stage is resting and silence in the presence of God, in communion with Him.
Want to read more?
We highly recommend an excellent article on Lectio Divina written by Father Luke Dysinger for Beliefnet.com. This tutorial gives you step-by-step instructions on how to achieve greater communion with God through His Word.
Share your stories
Do you use a formal method of Scripture reading and meditation? Please share your thoughts in our comments section, below.
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This blog post contains excerpts from our guide to self-care, Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul.
I recommend the book, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer explains in his book how one should read the scriptures, sing, pray, and work in community. But in chapter three, entitled “The Day Alone,” Bonhoeffer has an explanation of Christian meditation. I share that section on meditation with my Christian yoga students. Then, following our yoga practice, I read a section of scripture as the focus of our Christian meditation. Sometimes I select scripture which is from the scripture readings from Sunday services the preceding Sunday, sometimes it is scripture appropriate to the church calendar, at times it is scripture appropriate to something occurring in class or current events, and other times it is from my own list of favorites. This year our church membership is reading the entire Bible in one year using a book called GOD SIGHTINGS. GOD SIGHTINGS has a section of the Old Testament, a section of the New Testament, a Psalm, as well as verses from Proverbs read each day. So, this year I will choose a reading from the daily reading in GOD SIGHTINGS for the focus of our yoga meditation.