The third objective was to measure the impact of the journal on students' perceptions and practice of Scripture Meditation. An examination of Psalm 1 will serve as a description of the practice of Scripture meditation along with its results in the life of a believer. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night.
While Eaton affirms delight in the Torah, it is not necessary to limit the subject of meditation to the first five books of the Old Testament. Rather, obedience and success will be enjoyed in God's presence. Having spoken of the arrogant and slanderers earlier in the passage, it is fitting that the psalmist claims to be wiser than his enemies.
Meditation serves as a bridge that carries the truth of the Bible beyond the brain to the heart of the believer. For this reason, several meditation methods were presented throughout the magazine. Therefore, in the initial stages of the journal, I provided students with a suggested form of meditation.
In addition to the daily diary sample, there was also a weekly schedule sample. The time also allowed for the interpretation of the diary and several forms of meditation. On May 1, eight weeks from the start, the project was supposed to finish; however, most of the students fell behind on the journal.
Student Perception and Practice of Scripture Meditation
The following results will demonstrate how both the students' understanding and practice of Scripture Meditation were positively affected through participation in the project. Overall, the purpose of the project was a worthwhile pursuit and positive results point to the project's success in achieving its goal. For the first objective, it was necessary to evaluate the students' current understanding and practice of Scripture Meditation.
For the third objective, students' perceptions and practices of Scripture meditation were reassessed using the PBDI at the completion of the Scripture Journal to determine any change as a result of students' participation in the project. The first six questions of the survey addressed students' general attitudes and practices regarding spiritual disciplines in general. Of the students surveyed, 75 percent indicated that they use organized spiritual disciplines on a weekly basis, while 93 percent of students indicated that their personal spiritual practices positively influenced their experience of corporate worship.
Although the percentage is not that large, 56 percent of students indicated that they read the Bible three or more times a week. An initial evaluation of the data indicated that students had stronger participation and engagement in spiritual disciplines than previously assumed through individual conversations. The survey seemed to indicate that while many students had a generally positive perception of Bible meditation, most did not feel qualified to practice different meditation methods or guide another believer in the process.
Although students scored high in spiritual disciplines, their perceptions specifically related to Scripture meditation indicated that a focus on learning to practice Scripture meditation would be a worthwhile endeavor. For example, 81 percent of students answered that they meditate on God's Word in their prayer life. Of the participants, 81 percent also reported that they were regularly convicted of sin and led to repentance through their personal intake of Scripture.
While students seemed to have a positive perception of Scripture Meditation and seemed to practice meditation in some form, the pre-survey also reveals areas of weakness, where meditation could serve to improve their devotional life. This dilemma also points to the importance of Scripture meditation as a tool to help preserve scriptural truth. Overall, the results of the survey revealed that students had a positive association with spiritual disciplines and specifically Scripture Meditation, but that there was also room for students to grow in this area (see table 4).
Crafting the Scripture Journal and Training Seminar
This goal for this part of the project was considered successful when at least 90 percent of the evaluation criterion met or exceeded the pass level. While the expert panel found the material to be satisfactory or exemplary in all areas, two criticisms should be noted. One person commented that eight weeks might be too long a time frame and suggested shortening the diary to six weeks.
I chose to keep the length of the journal because I didn't want to cut any methods or genres of Scripture. A small step was taken in this direction with the development of small group questions at the end of each week.
Equipping Students in Scripture Meditation
What is meditation? Meditation is thinking deeply about the truths of God as
The Lord is my Shepherd..thank God for how He has guarded you and provided for you. When you have a spare moment while walking, driving, or waiting for an elevator, let God's Word work through your mind and heart. Repeat it to yourself as well as the previous verses as you move through the day.
As you review the words of Psalm 23, consider each word and phrase. Thank God for any knowledge you have gained and thank Him for the ways He has worked in your life. If you are struggling to find the words to pray, you can always turn to Psalm 23 and let those words jog your memory and give words to your prayers.
MEDITATION METHODS
- Thematic Meditation: This process is similar to the whole Bible connection but involves meditating on key themes often repeated in the Bible such as heaven, the
- Proverbs Process: After reading a section of Scripture as well as a chapter of Proverbs, seek to find a proverb illustrated in the other section of Scripture
- Answer or Solution*: What problem does this Scripture solve? Or, what question does this Scripture answer?
- Summary: When reading a larger section of Scripture, summarize the passage to emphasize the main points or truths
- Study: Often Scripture reading will lead to confusion or questions. Write these questions down and turn to study to answer them
- Memorize the Text*: Commit a text to memory and repeat it to yourself throughout the day
This process involves summarizing the main idea or purpose of the text in a short, easy-to-remember statement. When you read in various places in the Bible, try to find the common theme of Scripture. When you read in various places in the Bible, try to find the common theme that connects them.
The Christian Soldier: Or, The Heavens Taken by Storm, Showing the Holy Violence that a Christian is to Put forth in the Pursuit of Glory. Conversation with God's Word: Scriptural Meditation in the Piety of George Swinnock." Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care 5, no.
