Deepening Our Connection: Meditative Engagement with Scripture

 

Summary

In a world that never stops moving, where the noise of lawnmowers and the constant buzz of our devices fill our days, there is a sacred invitation to step away and focus on God. Today, we gathered as a family to pray for those in need, to bless those who are moving on to new chapters, and to remember that God is present with us in every moment. We also reflected on the way our culture has changed how we read and absorb information. While we are surrounded by words more than ever before, the way we engage with them has become shallow and hurried. This is especially true when it comes to scripture, which was never meant to be consumed like a news headline or a social media post.

Scripture invites us into a different kind of reading—a slow, meditative, and prayerful engagement that allows God’s thoughts to inhabit our minds and transform our lives. Both Joshua 1 and Psalm 1 call us to meditate on God’s word day and night, not just to read it, but to let it shape us from the inside out. The Hebrew word for meditate, “hagar,” means to murmur, to ponder, to imagine. This is a practice of letting scripture dwell richly within us, not just for information, but for formation.

To help us do this, we explored the ancient practice of Lectio Divina—divine reading. This involves four steps: reading scripture slowly and aloud, meditating on what stands out, praying in response, and contemplating in God’s presence. Over time, this practice becomes more fluid, as we move between these steps, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. The goal is not to rush through the Bible, but to let the word of God take root in us, even if it means reading less at a time. It’s better to read a small portion deeply than to skim large sections without reflection.

But meditation is not the end. We are called to incarnate the word, to put it into action in our daily lives. Like a sponge immersed in water, when we soak ourselves in scripture, what comes out of us—especially when life squeezes us—is the word of God. This is how we become people who not only know God’s word but live it, impacting our families, friends, and communities. Let us take the pressure off ourselves, slow down, and allow God’s word to shape us deeply, so that we may become all He has designed us to be.

Key Takeaways

- The world’s pace and the way we consume information have trained us to read quickly and superficially, but scripture calls us to a different rhythm. True engagement with God’s word requires us to slow down, reflect, and allow the text to shape our hearts and minds. This is a countercultural act in a distracted age, but it is essential for spiritual depth. [21:06]

- Meditating on scripture, as described in Joshua 1 and Psalm 1, is not just about reading but about letting God’s thoughts inhabit us. The Hebrew word “hagar” invites us to murmur, ponder, and imagine, making the word of God a living presence within us. This kind of meditation transforms us from the inside out, rooting us like trees by streams of water. [25:54]

- The practice of Lectio Divina offers a practical way to meditate on scripture: read, meditate, pray, and contemplate. This is not about extracting information, but about encountering God personally through His word. Over time, this practice becomes a natural rhythm, allowing the Holy Spirit to highlight what we need for each day. [32:34]

- It is better to read less scripture deeply than to rush through large portions without reflection. By reducing the amount we read in one sitting, we create space for meditation, prayer, and contemplation, allowing the word to take root and bear fruit in our lives. The goal is not to finish the Bible quickly, but to let it live within us and shape our actions. [37:02]

- Meditation on scripture must lead to incarnation—putting the word into practice. Like a sponge that soaks up water and releases it when squeezed, we are called to let scripture fill us so that, in the pressures of life, what comes out is the word of God. Obedience and action are the true tests of whether God’s word has taken root in us. [41:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:49] - Farewell and Prayer for Peter
[15:02] - Community and Intercessory Prayer
[17:48] - Star Wars Day and Cultural Observations
[19:09] - The Shift in How We Read
[21:06] - The Loss of Deep Reading
[22:45] - Scripture as God’s Thoughts in Us
[23:40] - Joshua 1: Meditating on the Law
[25:06] - Psalm 1: The Fruit of Meditation
[26:11] - What Does It Mean to Meditate?
[28:35] - The Purpose of Meditative Reading
[30:09] - Introduction to Lectio Divina
[32:34] - The Four Steps of Lectio Divina
[36:27] - Making Time for Meditation
[41:35] - Incarnation: Living Out the Word
[43:22] - The Sponge Illustration
[45:35] - Practicing Lectio Divina Together
[50:33] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Meditating on Scripture in a Distracted World

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### Bible Reading

- Joshua 1:7-8
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

- Psalm 1:1-3
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

- Mark 4:30-32
“Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’”

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### Observation Questions

1. In Joshua 1:7-8, what specific instructions does God give Joshua about how to engage with the Book of the Law?
2. According to Psalm 1:1-3, what is the result of meditating on God’s law day and night?
3. The sermon described the Hebrew word “hagar” for meditate. What are some of the meanings of this word, and how do they shape our understanding of meditation? [[26:11]]
4. In the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32), what happens to the smallest seed when it is planted and allowed to grow? How does this relate to the idea of letting God’s word take root in us? [[46:28]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God emphasizes meditation “day and night” rather than just reading or memorizing scripture? What might be the difference in the outcome? [[23:40]]
2. The sermon mentioned that our culture has trained us to read quickly and superficially. How might this affect our spiritual growth if we approach scripture the same way? [[21:06]]
3. The practice of Lectio Divina involves reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating. How might this approach help someone move from simply knowing scripture to being transformed by it? [[32:34]]
4. The sponge illustration showed that what we soak up is what comes out when we’re squeezed. What does this say about the importance of what we fill our minds and hearts with? [[43:22]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to slow down and read less scripture at a time, focusing on depth rather than quantity. Is there a Bible reading habit you have that feels rushed or pressured? What would it look like to “take the pressure off” and read at God’s pace for you? [[37:02]]
2. When was the last time you read a passage of scripture slowly, out loud, and let it sink in? How did that experience differ from your usual Bible reading? [[32:34]]
3. The Hebrew word “hagar” means to murmur, ponder, and imagine. This week, what is one practical way you could “murmur” or “ponder” a verse throughout your day? (For example, writing it on a card, repeating it quietly, or reflecting on it during a walk.) [[26:11]]
4. The sermon described Lectio Divina as a way to let God’s word become a living presence within us. Would you be willing to try this practice for a week? What might be a challenge for you, and how could you overcome it? [[32:34]]
5. The sponge illustration showed that when life squeezes us, what we have soaked up comes out. Think of a recent stressful or difficult moment—what “came out” of you? Was it God’s word, or something else? How can you be more intentional about soaking in scripture so that God’s word comes out next time? [[43:22]]
6. The sermon said that meditation is not the end, but that we are called to “incarnate” the word—put it into action. What is one specific way you could live out a scripture passage this week in your family, work, or community? [[41:35]]
7. Distractions are everywhere—phones, noise, busyness. What is one distraction you could intentionally set aside this week to create space for meditating on God’s word? [[21:06]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God’s help to slow down, meditate on His word, and let it shape their lives from the inside out. Ask for the courage to put scripture into action and to become people who live out God’s word in every area of life.

Devotional

Day 1: Meditate on Scripture Day and Night

God’s Word calls us not just to read, but to meditate on Scripture day and night, letting it shape our thoughts, actions, and character. This is not a hurried or surface-level engagement, but a slow, reflective process that allows God’s thoughts to inhabit our minds and transform us from within. When we meditate on Scripture, we are invited to let it dwell richly in us, guiding our steps and giving us strength and courage for whatever lies ahead. The promise is that as we do this, we will find success and prosperity—not as the world defines it, but as God intends for those who walk closely with Him. [24:13]

Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV)
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can set aside time today to meditate deeply on a single verse or passage, rather than rushing through your reading?


Day 2: Delighting in God’s Word Brings Fruitfulness

Those who delight in God’s Word and meditate on it continually are compared to trees planted by streams of water—steadfast, fruitful, and flourishing in every season. This delight is not a duty but a joy, a source of nourishment that sustains us through life’s challenges. As we root ourselves in Scripture, we find stability and growth, and our lives begin to bear fruit that blesses others. The promise is that our spiritual “leaves” will not wither, and whatever we do will prosper as we remain connected to the life-giving source of God’s Word. [25:21]

Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Reflection: Where do you find your delight today, and how can you intentionally choose to find joy in God’s Word instead of the distractions around you?


Day 3: Scripture Is Designed for Slow, Prayerful Reading

In a world that encourages quick skimming and information overload, Scripture invites us to slow down and engage in prayerful, reflective reading. This kind of reading is not about how much we can get through, but about allowing God’s voice to speak to us personally and form us spiritually. By reading less but meditating more, we create space for God’s Word to take root in our hearts and transform our lives. The goal is not just information, but formation—becoming more like Christ as we encounter Him in the pages of Scripture. [28:35]

Psalm 119:15 (ESV)
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Reflection: What distractions or habits do you need to set aside today in order to read Scripture more slowly and prayerfully, allowing God to speak to you?


Day 4: Practicing Lectio Divina—Read, Meditate, Pray, Contemplate

The ancient practice of lectio divina offers a pathway to encounter God through Scripture by moving through four steps: reading, meditating, praying, and contemplating. This practice encourages us to read Scripture aloud and slowly, to chew over its words, to respond to God in prayer, and finally to rest in His presence. As we do this, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, allowing God’s Word to move from our minds to our hearts, and from our hearts into our daily lives. This is not about gaining new information, but about letting God highlight what He wants to speak to us today. [32:34]

Mark 4:30-32 (ESV)
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Reflection: As you slowly read today’s passage, what word or phrase stands out to you, and how might God be inviting you to respond or rest in His presence?


Day 5: Letting God’s Word Overflow into Action

Meditation on Scripture is not the end goal; it is meant to lead us into action, so that God’s Word becomes incarnate in our daily lives. Like a sponge that soaks up water and releases it when squeezed, we are called to immerse ourselves in Scripture so that when life presses in, God’s truth and love flow out of us. True spiritual formation happens when we move from hearing and meditating to doing—putting God’s Word into practice in our relationships, decisions, and service. In this way, we become living witnesses of God’s kingdom, impacting those around us with the life we have received. [45:03]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can put into practice something you have meditated on in Scripture this week, letting it shape your actions and interactions today?

Quotes

You see, technology has revolutionized the way that we consume information. Every year, people read fewer and fewer books, but spend more and more time on devices, scrolling, texting, and catching up on news alerts. [00:20:10]

It's even been said that the generations coming up and some of you in this room are part of what's called the post literate generation. But you know what the truth is? We actually read more today than we have ever done. We just don't read as many books. [00:20:39]

That fastpaced clickbait type reading we do doesn't train us doesn't train our brains to engage deeply with complex ideas or slow engage in slow reflective reading. It's reprogramming us in ways that make it harder to slow down, to reflect, and truly absorb what we read. [00:21:11]

Books in ways in ways that are different than visual art, music, the radio force us force us to walk through another's thoughts one word at a time over hours and days. We share our minds for that time with the writers. [00:21:58]

There was a slowness, a force reflection required by the medium that is unique. Books recreate someone else's thoughts inside our own minds. And maybe it's this onetoone mapping of someone else's words that gives books its power, their power. [00:22:18]

That's what the books in the library of scripture have the potential to do. They have the potential to let God's thoughts inhabit our minds completely. The problem is that even if our hearts and minds say yes, I want that. I want to let God's thoughts inhabit my mind completely. [00:22:45]

Joshua 1 7 and8 in the in the translation I'm using it says this it's a it's a well-known passage probably one of those those passages that we read and as some of you have noticed that's up on the screen be strong and very courageous be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you do not turn from the right or from or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go. [00:23:44]

Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything within it. Then you'll be prosperous and successful. [00:24:10]

Both passages command us to meditate on scripture day and night. What does that mean? The Hebrew word translated meditate is hagar. It literally means to murmur and it probably refers to the practice of reading scripture in a quiet voice under your breath. [00:25:59]

But perhaps we should because you see scientists tell us that one of the best ways to remember what we read is to speak it out loud. Agaro is also translated ponder, imagine as well as meditate. And that's what we need to do if we are to make sense of the scriptures. [00:26:04]

Scripture wasn't designed to be read the way you read a news alert or a caption on social media. It's not designed to be read the same way you read a novel either. You know, rushing to the the next chapter to see what happens. [00:28:13]

It's designed to be read prayerfully, prayerfully. It's designed to be meditated on. So what does it mean to meditate on scripture? It's a slow, prayerful, reflect reflective way of reading scripture with the goal of formation, not just information. [00:28:30]

And only when we do this will scripture give up its meaning. Only then will we hear God's voice on every page. Only then will we meet Jesus on every page. [00:29:12]

If study asks what did this text text mean to those who first heard it in their time and context and how do I apply it today? Leto Deina asks how is God coming to me personally through this text? [00:31:01]

The idea is that you want what's on the page or on your screen to come alive to become more than just words on a page or a screen. You want to become part of you deep inside. You want it to transform you from the inside out. [00:33:12]

It's not enough just to meditate on the Bible. We've have to get it out of our heads and into our hands and our feet. We have to put flesh and blood on the passage by translating the Bible into our daily lives. [00:41:38]

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Transcript
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