Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:15,16
The Meditation Group meets for an hour from 10.30 am each Saturday.
Christian Meditation takes time to rediscover the presence of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, within us. It stills our minds, stopping the chatter in our heads and levelling the passion, positive or negative, in our hearts. When freed from our internal preoccupations, we can become more aware of Jesus’s presence around us and within us. Christian Meditation is the practice of reflecting on the Word of God, allowing Him to lead us more deeply into His peace.
Christian Meditation does not seek emptiness, but fullness. We take time to still our hearts and thoughts, being aware of our emotions and our preoccupations, entrusting them to Jesus’ care. Once we have cast our anxieties onto Him, we rest in His peace, waiting on Him to receive whatever He wishes to speak to us, or do in us. In quietness and stillness we will be strengthened in Him.
Meditation has a focus. Christian meditation necessarily focuses on a word from Scripture. We open our souls to the Living Word through the written Word.
The rhythm we follow at the group is generally:
- Listen to a song or music to open our hearts to worship God, perhaps focussing on a candle to calm our mind.
- Be led through a guided meditation on Scripture, where a verse is read aloud, and a thought offered, followed by silence for pondering. Over 20 minutes a short passage from a psalm or other scripture is slowly read and pondered.
- Silent meditation on a longer passage from Scripture, usually from the liturgical readings for Sunday. A copy of the passage is given to each participant with some optional thoughts for reflection. The passage is read aloud several times to allow auditory, as well as visual impact. Art materials are offered for those who wish to explore or respond creatively.
- Echo, a time when the group is able to share insights gleaned from their reflection. Sharing is optional and safe. Creative responses may be shared.
- A final 5 minutes of silence enables the Lord to further release grace to ground His Word and work in your soul and life.
Meditation on Scripture follows a 4 step rhythm:
Read
Read the passage.
Reflect
Reflect on the passage, taking note of particular words or phrases that seem to draw your attention.
Respond
Respond by talking with and listening to the Lord.
‘What are You saying to me?’
‘Help me grow in this’, etc.
Rest
Rest, where nothing more is read or said, simply being still before the Lord, allowing His word do His work in you.
