Overall Lesson Effectiveness
7. A cheerful Confidence of obtaining what we have requested and enforced. (105- 106)
After this enforcement dote follow confidence, where in the soul, after man doubtful and unquiet bickerings, gathereth up forces and cheerfully rouzeth up itself, and like one of David’s worthies breaketh through a whole army of doubts and fetcheth comfort from the well of life [Prov. 10:11], which though in some later yet in all, is a sure reward from God of sincere meditation.
The Conclusion of our Meditation, in what order it must be, First, with Thanksgiving. (106)
The conclusion remaineth, wherein we must advise (like physicians do in their sweats and exercise that cease not over-suddenly but leave off by little and little. The mind may not be suffered to fall headlong form this height, but must descend by degree.
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Secondly, with Recommendation of our souls and ways to God. (106-107) After this thanksgiving shall follow a faithful recommendation of ourselves to God, wherein the soul doth cheerfully give up itself and repose itself wholly upon her Maker and Redeemer, committing herself to His in all her way, submitting herself to Him in all His way, desiring in all things to glorify Him and to walk worthy of her high and glorious calling.
An Epilogue. Reproving the neglect of Meditation. Exhorting the use of Meditation. (107-108)
Let him curse me upon his death-bed if, looking back from thence to the bestowing of his former times, he acknowledge not these hours placed the most happily in his whole life, if he then wish not he had worn out more days in so profitable an heavenly a work.
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APPENDIX 7
SUMMARY OF MEDITATIVE METHODS OF DONALD S. WHITNEY
This appendix contains a detailed description the meditative methods that are developed by Donald S. Whitney and referenced in chapter 3 of this project.
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SUMMARY OF MEDITATIVE METHODS OF DONALD S. WHITNEY1
Begin by selecting a passage for meditation from your time of reading God’s Word.
Choose a verse or phrase that attracted your attention, or a theme verse or key verse from the passage.
1. Emphasize different words in the text. For example from John 2:5: “Whatever He says to you do it.” “Whatever He says to you do it.” “Whatever He says to you do it.”
“Whatever He says to you do it.” “Whatever He says to you do it.” “Whatever He says to you do it.”
2. Rewrite the verse or phrase in your own words.
3. Formulate a principle from the text—What does it teach?
4. Think of an illustration of the text—What pictures or explains it?
5. Look for applications of the text—What should you do in response to it?
6. Ask how the text points to the Law or the Gospel.
7. Ask how the text points to something about Jesus.
8. Ask what question is answered or problem is solved by the text.
9. Pray through the text.
10. Memorize the text.
11. Create an artistic expression of the text—a song, poem, or sketch.
12. Ask the Philippians 4:8 questions of the text.
A. What is true about this, or what truth does it exemplify?
B. What is honorable about this?
C. What is just or right about this?
D.What is pure about this, or how does it exemplify purity?
1Donald S Whitney, “Methods of Meditation on Scripture,” The Center for Biblical Spirituality, accessed December 14, 2015, http://biblicalspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/
Meditation-Methods-Summary-17.pdf.
131 E. What is lovely about this?
F. What is commendable about this?
G. What is excellent about it that is, excels other of this kind)?
H. What is praiseworthy about this?
13. Ask the “Joseph Hall” questions of the text.
A. What is it (define and/or describe what it is)?
B. What are its qualities and attachments?
C. What are its divisions or parts?
D. What is contrary, contradictory or different to it?
E. What causes it?
F. What compares to it?
G. What does it cause (its fruits and effects)?
H. What its titles or names?
I. What is its place, location or use?
14. Set and discover a minimum number of insights from the text (set the number in advance).
15. Find a link or common thread between all the chapters or paragraphs you’ve read.
16. Ask how the text speaks to your current issue or question.
17. Use Meditation Mapping.
A. Put the verse(s), phrase, word or topic to be meditated upon in the middle of the page (when possible, this should be done in picture form).
B. Allow insights, ideas and thoughts to come quickly and freely.
C. Use key words to represent your ideas.
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D. Connect your key words ideas to the central focus with lines.
E. Use as few words per line as possible.
F. P-r-i-n-t all the words for easier reading.
G. Use color for emphasis and recall.
H. Make frequent use of symbols and pictures in addition to words.
See: Buzan, Tony. The Mindmap Book. New York: Plume/Penguin, 1996.
Wycoff, Joyce. Mindmapping. New York: Berkley, 1991.
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APPENDIX 8
PRAYING THE BIBLE, DONALD S. WHITNEY
This appendix contains a detailed summary of the concept of praying the Scripture as developed by Donald S. Whitney and referenced in chapter 3 of this project.
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PRAYING THE BIBLE, DONALD S. WHITNEY1
Prayer is essential for the Christian, but it’s not easy. Why is prayer so difficult? Why is prayer even sometimes boring? Why does 5 minutes of prayer feel like an eternity? Is it because we are second-rate Christians? The answer is likely, “no!” So why is it so hard to be consistent in prayer?