Spiritual
Disciplines Course.
Lesson Two : The Discipline Of Meditation (CSG
facilitator and leader’s copy)
WELCOME SECTION: Warmly welcome all the people and introduce yourselves
(20 mins) if there are newcomers.
The icebreaker this week is MEDITATING ON CREATION
put as many natural objects (eg. Potato, leaf, stone etc) as
there are people on a table and ask everyone to select one of
the objects. Take five minutes to meditate on how God’s nature (the creator) is reflected in that object (the creation).
(eg. A stone shows forth the solid, unmovable nature of God)
- each person share back on their object.
WORSHIP SECTION : The worship leader should select songs about thinking on
(30 mins) God’s word, His nature and/or waiting on Him etc…
Suggested songs:Think About His Love,Be Still and Know
Thy Word Is A Lamp, Power of Your Love
Allow for the operation of the gifts (prophecy, new song etc.)
WORD SECTION : The facilitator should take the group through the attached
(60 mins) Lesson. Get different people to read through the sections
and any Bible Verses. Stop to discuss as prompted allowing
everyone to get involved (drawing in the quieter ones). If
the discussion is going off track bring it back to the main
topic. Be conscious of the time and pace yourself.
If there are any practical excercises take time to discuss the
Lessons learnt in conjuction with the lesson theme and don’t
allow too much wasted time.
At the end hand each person a CARD WITH ONE VERSE
on it – the leader should have prepared beforehand.
These are for sharing back on next week (see attached sheet).
When you’ve finished the lesson have a time of praying
For each other out of what the Lord spoke through the
Time of meditation.
WORKS SECTION
: Pray outwards for unsaved friends , for your neighbourhoods
(10 mins) to have revival, for Singapore as a whole and even for our
missions work in China etc..and other pressing prayerneeds
such as the sick and troubled. Pray also for any events
coming up.
Close with offering and benediction. Go and eat…..
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Spiritual
Disciplines Course.
Lesson Two: Introduction to the Discipline of Meditation
(for the CSG Members)
Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind (and our lives) with God and detach ourselves from the confusion around us. This allows us to focus on God and obtain an inner wholeness and an ordered life. We begin to see things from a different perspective. It is not an escape from the world, but rather, a way of helping us deal with the world. We are simply opening ourselves up to God, to listen to Him, and to realise His potential for our lives.
DISCUSS HOW IT DIFFERS FROM ‘EASTERN’ MEDITATION.
Ask one person to expand on each of the following
problems….
Problems we may have with meditation.
(1) We may have the wrong idea of what meditiation is.
(2)We know we need to break out of the chaos and allow God to restore us in meditation, but we often lack the discipline to actually do it.
(3)We may not have any experience in meditation, and don't know how to go about it.
(4)We may have tried it and felt we haven't succeeded immediately and just given up.
Sometimes our lives just seem to be too crowded, with work, families, our homes, and all the other seemingly necessary things that fill our days. We may have a deep desire to hear the Lord's voice, but our lives are so disorganised that we think that we can't see our way clear of the clutter. (If only we realised that the clutter would become manageable if we gave ourselves time to focus on God and see things from His perspective).
We are sometimes afraid of coming into God's presence because we know we have to change. We may also be afraid of hearing God's voice telling us what to do.
Our pride can put a wall up between us and God.
We must guard against the notion that once we have performed certain acts at certain times we are finally meditating. (It is something which must become a way of life through learning by practice).
Five forms of meditation.
Go through the five types of meditation stating ,
practically, what you think each one
is..
1.Meditation upon Scripture.
2.Re-collection.
"Collecting" all that which worries us, handing it over to God, and then receiving his replacements e.g. give up pride, receive humility.. (Palms down, Palms up).
3.Meditation upon creation (with a focus on the Creator).
4.Meditation upon the events of our time (everyday events).
We meditate upon the events of our time so that we can discern God's work in our world and in our lives. We need to seek God's guidance in our whole lives.
5.Memorisation of Scripture.
Group Excercise:
1.Open your Bibles to the chosen Bible reading. Leave it open in front of you.
2.Enter into God's presence in prayer, asking that His Spirit will bring His word to life for you. As a group one person can lead in prayer then pray in tongues.
3.Slow down. Consciously slow down your breathing; breathe deeper, more gently, invite the Holy Spirit into your life. With every deep breath in say, "I breathe in the Holy Spirit", with every deep breath out say, "I breath out the Love of God". Allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate every part of your being. Picture that happening.
4.Now read the scripture passage slowly. (Do not analyse or study it.) Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you what He wants. One person can read the verse aloud several times
then each person reflect quietly on that verse – repeating over and over in their head
and asking the Lord to speak.
5.When a word or phrase "lights up" or "rings a bell", put your bible down. Concentrate on God's word to you by repeating it (gently, not mechanically). Do not force any response/emotion; allow the Holy Spirit to work.
6.As you become aware of the impression (feeling/attitude) God's word has made on you, respond to God in prayer, or in silence if you wish. Be with Christ, bask in His love.
7.As distractions set in, close your prayer off in whatever way you want.
Now , as a group, each member shares back what the Lord spoke to them through the Scripture passage.
The facilitator will now give each person a different Bible Verse written on a card – this is for you to take home and meditate on during the week. Next week you will share back what the Lord spoke.
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