Last week, we talked about delighting in the Word.  If we delight in the Word, we will want to spend time in it.  We will want to read it.  We will want to meditate on it.  I have added a new page to the site with a Bible Reading Plan.  You read from different portions of the Bible six days a week.  Day seven is to catch up on a day you missed or to review ways that God has challenged you during the last six days.

There are of course a lot of reading plans out there.  This one works for me, because the review/catch-up day helps keep me from falling behind.  But whatever approach you take, the important thing is to read and meditate on the Word.  With that in mind, here are a few ideas for meditating on the Word:

1. Pray your way through the passage as you read it.
2. Read slowly.  Ponder what God is saying to you.
3. Record what you are learning in a journal.
4. Look for repeated words or ideas.
5. Ask: What is the main idea of this passage?
6. Write down the main points of the passage.
7. Ask: What does this mean? And How should I respond?
8. Use a study Bible to explain things you don’t understand.
9. Ask more questions:

• What does this passage teach me about God?
• What examples do I see of God’s grace?
• What does this passage teach me about ____? (any theme)

10. Ask more application questions:

• Is there a truth to believe?
• Is there a promise to claim?
• Is there an example to follow (or not follow)?
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a sin to confess?

11. Try Luther’s contemplative method by asking three questions:

• How does this show me something about God to praise?
• How does this show me something about myself to confess?
• How does this show me something I need to ask God for?

(Adoration, Confession, Supplication)