You have been told and sincerely agree – the Bible is the Word of God and you should dig deep into it. It is life-transforming.

But sometimes, it seems so difficult to get anything out of it.

If you have ever wanted to know exactly how to “sit with a Bible passage”, and have tried to discipline yourself, to remain open to receive from God and asked the Holy Spirit for help, would you like to try this step-by-step method?

This is a how-to that breaks down what it means to meditate on God’s Word so that it comes alive for you.

Pick a passage

You can select a book of the Bible to study or use passages from the lectionary. This pre-selected collection of passages from the Bible recommends four readings every week – Old Testament, Psalms, Gospels and Epistles – and runs on a three-year cycle.

Select one type of reading to go through for a year and, by the end of 12 years, you would have covered a large swathe of the Bible.

Be prepared to stay the course

Give yourself a week with the same passage. You need that time.

I have done this for nearly three years. Almost without fail, on the first day of approaching the passage, I would feel a little let down. On more than one occasion I have moaned: “How am I going to meditate on this for a whole week?”

As the week progresses, things would change. Invariably, I would end the week reluctant to leave the passage, certain that if I lingered, I would get even more out of it.

Think of the passage like a new friend. At first, conversations might be a little awkward and you might be somewhat uncomfortable. Spend enough time with it and you will find that not only will you get to know it, you will come to love it.  

What to do all week?

Day 1: Understand the passage

1. Read the passage to understand its gist.
It helps to read the passage within its context. So read the passages before and after it.

For example, if the passage is Genesis 18:1-15 which tells of Abraham’s encounter with the three visitors, read the chapter before it as well. Genesis 17 records God’s covenant with Abraham which is sealed with his circumcision and that of every male in his household.

Then go beyond Genesis 18:1-15 to the passage after it of Abraham pleading for Sodom.

2. Consult a commentary if you need help grasping the fuller meaning of the passage. There are several free ones that can be found online.

3. Ask yourself the following to help you focus:
a) What is the main point of the text?
b) Does the context help me?
c) What does the passage say about God?
d) What does it say about man?
e) What does it say about man’s relationship with God?

a) What is the main point of the text? Primarily, it is about having faith in God’s Word and promises even though things appear impossible.

A sub-point would be not tarry but to go overboard in welcoming God when He appears.

b) How does the context help? Looking at the passage before Genesis 18:1-15, we see God taking the initiative to reach Abraham and establish a relationship with him. Against this backdrop, the account of the three visitors takes on deeper meaning. It is a continuation of God’s desire to connect with Abraham and be known by him.

The visit is especially meaningful considering that, after that, Abraham would be negotiating with God for Sodom. His encounters with God fortified him to speak boldly to God.

c) What does it say about God? God is a personal God who speaks personally to man when there is a need to build faith in him.

He is also all-knowing. He knew Sarah doubted and laughed to herself. A God of truth, he does not let lies slide. But being a God of love, He is gentle when He exposes Sarah’s lie when she denied laughing.

d) What does it say about man? God appears unexpectedly. But when He does appear, do not hesitate. Hurry to receive Him warmly. Although they appeared to be men, Abraham somehow recognised something divine about them and went beyond normal hospitality to welcome them. Similarly, we need to recognise when God appears to us.

Like Sarah, we can be doubtful of God’s promises even though the visitor clearly had supernatural knowledge since he talked about the child which God had mentioned to Abraham in private in the previous chapter.

e) What does it say about man’s relationship with God? Concerning God’s Word and promises, we can respond with doubt like Sarah or with faith like Abraham.

Day 2: Apply the message of the passage

1. Read the passage.

2. Recollect and meditate on its main points.
a) The main point of the text
b) Any other point(s) that strikes you

For example, reading the passage again, I saw that God appears physically only on very rare occasions. That made me wonder: How does He appear today? Since we have the Holy Spirit, He can communicate with us without physically appearing.

3. Ask yourself the following: What is God saying to me through insights from Day 1 about my
a) Spiritual walk and life: Have I been warm and zealous in welcoming God in my life? Is my walk with God one of doubt or faith?
b) Relationships: Are there any relationships in my life that require God to supernaturally intervene?
c) Work/Studies: Do I have anything where I need to believe that God is the omnipotent and omniscient One?
d) Ministry: Is God birthing forth a new thing in my ministry?

Day 3: Let the Spirit highlight

1. Read the passage slowly and meditatively.

2. Note certain words, phrases or ideas that strike you.

3. Ask and reflect on:
a) Why does it strike me?
b) What might the Spirit be saying to me?

4. Write down the thoughts and feelings you experience.

5. Respond to the Spirit’s revelation:
a) Pray through it
b) Make a commitment if needed
c) Take steps if necessary

Day 4: Let the Spirit highlight more

1. Meditate on the passage

2. Recall your thoughts. Are there any more revelations or insights? Are there anything else you need to do?

3. When done, move on to another thing that strikes you.

4. Repeat 3-5 for Day 3
Ask and reflect on:
a) Why does it strike me?
b) What might the Spirit be saying to me?

5. Write down the thoughts and feelings you experience

6. Respond to the Spirit’s revelation:
a) Pray through it
b) Make a commitment if needed
c) Take steps if necessary

Day 5: Move on or seal the revelation

1. You can do the steps in Day 4 again if you feel that there is more to the text into which you can delve.

2. Or you can sit with a verse or point that meant a lot to you and spend time meditating and praying through it.

Day 6 & 7: Thanksgiving and evaluation of week’s spiritual walk and events

Give thanks to God and evaluate your week’s spiritual walk and events.

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