Description:

Our purpose in this study is to identify the difference between a heart dedicated to God and one dedicated to self. Based on the Word of God, we all start out as sinful. As David said in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Message from Marsh: “May your personal walk with the Lord lead you to be transformed, renewed, and blessed.”

Marsh

Founder/President

Thank you for coming to: mensgroup.org

Men and Matters of the Heart

Lesson 11 – The Meditative Heart – Stilled to Hear God and Know Self

(www.mensgroup.org – “Original Study”)

Lesson Focus: We will illustrate the importance of meditation, how to focus on it, and how it is emphasized in the Scriptures.

“Blessing on each man who learns the usefulness of meditation as a believer and decides to regularly implement this spiritual discipline into their life.” – C. Marsh Bull.

Starting Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, I want to participate in spiritual disciplines like meditation and further its connection to prayer. Help me to understand it better and carve out time each week to make it happen.

Opening Questions:

1.      When have you taken time to mediate?

2.      What happened in that time?

Scripture Passage:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Phrase Explanation:

Our senses are bombarded daily and we are challenged to see, taste, touch, hear, and smell the world around us. But when we travel home, we become calm, supported by familiar thoughts and senses. The tall trees lining the avenue, the bustle of cars with different destinations, our music on the local radio station, favorite places to dine, a welcome home hug, and smells that waft along the sidewalks. We feel comfortable and at home.

However, this rush to enjoy all around us in the world can lead to a dead-end. The reason for this is the difficulty handling all the input -- as our mind and senses are assaulted with an overabundance of stimuli. Meditation is one of the best solutions to these pressures on our heart and mind. Meditation is not an eastern mysticism, but the immersing of our mind in God’s Word and learning ways to quiet our heart, so we can hear His still voice.

In J.I. Packer’s book, Knowing God, he describes meditation as “an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communication with God [prayer]. Its purpose is to clear one’s mental and spiritual vision of God and to let His truth make its full and proper impact on one’s mind and heart.”

To hear God regularly means shutting out the noisy world around us and putting our heart at rest in the Lord through meditation and sincere prayer. We rest in Him because we trust and depend upon Him. If not God, who else can we fully rely on with our heart and soul?  God gave His Son to die for us and be raised again to instill in us the hope of heaven.

In Jesus’ day, activity could fill the days, so he got away to be quiet (meditation) and speak (pray) with his Father. After his baptism by John the baptizer, he

“left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…[and] returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,” (Luke 4:1, 14)

After the feeding of the five-thousand and being with them all afternoon, he

“made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd, [and] went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:45-46)

Paul, in his letter to the Philippian church, suggested topics and matters that are primary to be in the believer’s mind during a time of meditation:

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

And to the Colossian church he said,

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)

The meditative heart is an act of devotion which allows us to step away from life by the senses and prioritize life by the spirit. It includes meditative study of bible passages, personal application of what they say, and prayer back to God in worship and thanksgiving. Meditation provides time for us to realign with God and helps us maintain our full focus on Him. It is in this quietness and silence that God authenticates His plans for us, as suggested by the psalmist, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me…” (Psalm 138:8).

Meditation helps us lead others wisely with words and actions; to have a stilled heart that produces righteousness and perspective on who we are, who we serve, and who we want to help.

 

Discussion Questions:

1.      What are some important elements of meditation?

2.      How have you been challenged to practice meditation and resultant prayer?

3.      What are some benefits and blessings of meditation?

Application:

1.      If 1 is the least and 5 is the best, on a scale of 1-5, how close are you to having a meditative heart?

2.      In your typical day, what needs to be adjusted to prioritize time for meditation?

3.      What would a meditation time look like for you?

Closing Prayer: Holy Spirit, I am convinced that meditating on the Word and having it illumined to my mind by you will change my life. I confess my lack of love for your Word and want to make it a priority in my life. Guide me in this action.

 

Additional Resources:

Similar verses:  Genesis 24:63; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 48:9; 77:12;
104:33-34; 119:15, 23, 27, 97, 148, 143:5.

Knowing God, J.I. Packer, Intervarsity Press, 1973, pg. 19.

Continue to Lesson 12 – Challenge of the Heart – The Daily Heart Workout

Or use these links to navigate to various parts of this study:

Intro | Lesson 7 | Lesson 8 | Lesson 9 | Lesson 10 | Lesson 11 | Lesson 12

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