Resolution

Meditating on the Word

Dietrich Bonhoeffer4 February 1906 - 9 April 1945

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian, martyr, a spiritual writer, a musician, a pastor, and an author of poetry and fiction. The integrity of his Christian faith and life, and the international appeal of his writings, have received broad recognition and admiration, all of which has led to a consensus that he is one of the theologians of his time whose theological reflections might lead future generations of Christians into creating a new more spiritual and responsible millennium.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian famous for his stand against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. His beliefs and convictions ultimately cost him his life in a Nazi concentration camp. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the most famous theologians and martyrs of the 20th century. 

What is meditation?"In Meditative Prayer we create the

emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart." - Richard Foster.

“….our minds become His temple-tent….” – Thomas Merton

Jesus is always waiting for us in silence. In that silence, He will listen to us; there He will speak to our soul, and there we will hear His voice.“ - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

What is meditation?“In meditation, God’s Word seeks to enter in and remain

with us. It strives to stir us, to work and operate in us, so that we shall not get away from it the whole day long. Then it will do its work in us, often without our being conscious of it.” - DB

“…In the same way that the word of a person who is dear to me follows me throughout the day, so the Word of Scripture should resonate and work within me ceaselessly. “- DB

“Just as you would not dissect and analyze the word spoken by someone dear to you, but would accept it just as it was said, so you should accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart as Mary did.”- DB

What does Scripture Say?

Joshua 1:8Psalm 19:14Romans 12.1 Psalm 1:1-3Psalm 86:11Psalm 119:11

“Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Because I am a Christian. Therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God’s Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I learn to know the Holy Scripture in no other way than by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful meditation.”

“Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich BonhoefferBecause I am a preacher of the Word. I

cannot expound the Scripture for others if I do not let it speak daily to me. I will misuse the Word in my office as preacher if I do not continue to meditate upon it in prayer.

I will offend against my calling if I do not seek each day in prayer the word that my Lord wants to say to me for that day. Ministers of the Word are especially called upon to perform the office of prayer: “But we will devote oursleves to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).

“Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer“Because I need a firm discipline of

prayer. We like to pray according to our moods — briefly, at length, or not at all. But that is to be arbitrary. Prayer is not a free-will offering to God; it is obligatory service, something that he requires. We are not free to engage in it according to our own wishes.

“Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer“Because I need help against the ungodly

haste and unrest which threaten my work as a pastor. Only from the peace of God’s Word can there flow the proper, devoted service of each day.”

How do I Meditate? Still yourself: Begin with a moment of silence; invite

God’s presence to lead you. Open yourself to God’s Word.

Pray: Father God, help us to quiet our hearts and minds before you. Please speak to us through your Word and remind us of your mighty acts.

Read: Circle or underline words that stand out to you. Reflect: Re-read the passage.) What emotions are

stirred in you? Ask God: “What is it I don’t understand or believe in my heart that I need to absorb more fully?” Write down your thoughts.

Respond: Re-read the passage. Be quiet before God. Listen. What do you sense he is saying to you through the passage?

Share: What, if anything, did God reveal to you through this exercise?

Practice Using I Chron 29:10-14

Suggestions for MeditationDeep, Not Wide“Whereas in our devotions together we read

long consecutive passages, in our personal meditation we confine ourselves to a brief selected text” (pp. 81-82) 

 

Suggestions for Meditation Quality, Not Quantity “It is not necessary that we should get through

the entire passage in one meditation.  Often we shall have to stop with one sentence or even one word, because we have been gripped and arrested and cannot evade it any longer.” (p. 83) 

Suggestions for MeditationMake It Personal“In our meditation we ponder the chosen text on the

strength of the promise that it has something utterly personal to say for us for this day and for our Christian life, that it is not only God’s word for the Church, but it is God’s word for us individually.  We expose ourselves to this specific word until it addresses us personally.” (p. 82)

“We do not ask what this text has to say to other people.  For the preacher this means that he will not ask how he is going to preach or teach on this text, but what it is saying quite directly to him.” (p. 83)

Suggestions for MeditationNo Points For Originality“It is not necessary that we should discover

new ideas in our meditation.  Often this only diverts us and feeds our vanity.  It is sufficient if the word, as we read and understand it, penetrates and dwells within us.”

Suggestions for Meditation Go With It

“If your thoughts keep wandering, there is not need for your to hold on to the compulsively. There is nothing wrong with letting them roam where they will; be then incorporate in your prayers the place or person to which they have gone. So you will find your way back to the text, and the minutes spend in such diversions will not be lost and will no longer be any cause for worry.”

Why Morning?“I rise before the dawn and cry for help; I

wait for Thy words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Thy word.” (Psalm 119:147-148)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

Why Morning?“The first moments of the new day are not

the time for our own plans and worries, not even for our zeal to accomplish our own work, but for God’s liberating grace, God’s sanctifying presence. “ - DB

Why Morning?“Before the heart unlocks itself for the world,

God wants to open it for himself; before the ear takes in the countless voices of the day , it should hear in the early hours the voice of the Creator and Redeemer.” - DB

Why Morning?“The morning must yield an hour of quiet

time for prayer and common devotion. That is certainly not wasted time. How else could we prepare ourselves to face the tasks, cares, and temptations of the day?” - DB

Why Morning?“In meditation, God’s Word seeks to enter in

and remain with us. It strives to stir us, to work and operate in us, so that we shall not get away from it the whole day long. Then it will do its work in us, often without our being conscious of it.” - DB

The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.

- Martin Luther