No-Excuse WOW Bible Study - Unveiling the Psalms

St. Paul UMC Newton - No Excuse Word-On-Wednesday (WOW) Bible Study

This is a weekly Bible Study Webinar recorded on Wednesday at 7pm.  Join the webinar or/and conference call for our No Excuse Word-on-Wednesday (WOW) Bible Study

Conference Call:  1 (530) 881-1212 Meeting ID: 944312457

Live Webinar: https://www.startmeeting.com/wall/944-312-457

Replay Information: 
Audio Only Replay  1 (530) 881-1219; enter meeting ID: 944312457 and Ref# below
Webinar Replay; click on links below:

January 8, 2014
Current Book:  The Bible: The Book of Psalms
Ref# 40 - Introduction to the Psalms
Ref# 43 - Psalm 1 
Ref# 44 - Psalm 2

No-Excuse WOW Bible Study Replay - Forgiveness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go

Replay Information: 
Audio Only Replay  1 (530) 881-1219; enter meeting ID: 944312457 and Ref# below
Webinar Replay; click on links below:

June 12, 2013 -October 23, 2013
Book Forgiveness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go

• Ref# 18 - Week 1 -  Preface and Chapter 1: Divine Answer
• Ref# 19 - Week 2 - Chapter 1 - Making Sense of Sin
• Ref#20 - Week 3 - Chapter 1 - The Burden of Guilt and the Separation from  God 
• Ref#21 - Week 4 - Chapter 1 - The Gospel of Forgiveness 
• Ref#22 - Week 5 - Chapter 1 - The Gospel of Forgiveness part II
• Ref#23 - Week 6 - Chapter 1 - Repentance 
• Ref#24 - Week 7 - Chapter 2 - For Better, For Worse
• Ref#25 - Week 8 - Chapter 2 - Repentance, Forgiveness and Disposal
• Ref#26 - Week 9 - Chapter 2 - The Most Serious Kinds of Sin
• Ref#27 - Week 10 - Chapter 3 - Seventy Times Seven: Pebbles
• Ref#28 - Week 11 - Chapter 3 - Medium and Large Stones - Repentance Required
• Ref#29 - Week 12 - Chapter 3 - Biblical Process for Reconciliation and Chipping away
• Ref#30 - Week 13 - Chapter 4  - Joseph's Story Part I
• Ref#31 - Week 14 - Chapter 4 - Joseph's Story Part I (continued) & Part II
• Ref#32 - Week 15 - Epilogue and Conclusion

No-Excuse WOW Bible Study Replay - The Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense

Replay Information: 
Audio Only Replay  1 (530) 881-1219; enter meeting ID: 944312457 and Ref# below
Webinar Replay; click on links below:


January 30, 2013 - June 5, 2013:
 The Bait of Satan:  Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense

• Ref# 1- http://stme.in/sSwtYmIJ7                         
• Ref# 2 - http://stme.in/6uFAhbKJw 
• Ref# 3 - Includes 2013 Ash Wednesday Worship http://stme.in/9aGmZNfJp
• Ref# 4 - http://stme.in/1QGaPb2Yj
• Ref# 5 - http://stme.in/WC0RSFLay
• Ref# 6 - http://stme.in/KxdlzG8Fo
• Ref# 7 - http://stme.in/lAXq3t0gr
• Ref# 8 - http://stme.in/iy2fnpsTx 
• Ref# 9 - http://stme.in/Qn0yrjVlP
• Ref#10 - http://stme.in/NwBTPtsf3
• Ref#11- http://stme.in/UtGVyl6wm
• Ref#12 - http://stme.in/G31pbTj5U
• Ref#13 - http://stme.in/VQpO6UHqA
• Ref#14 - http://stme.in/ZEwSy21XU
• Ref#15 - http://stme.in/YZRVquy0T
• Ref#16 - http://stme.in/4TnQWxwjM
• Ref#17 - http://stme.in/ZBwaMASfr

Wednesday Night Bible Study - The Samuel Fast

We have 75 lines for the weekly Bible Study.  We are still discussing fasting, this time from the perspective of  1 Samuel 7

The call-in number

   (424)203-8400  and Access Code: 491039#

If you miss Bible Study, the playback number is  (424) 203-8409  Access Code 491039#

Wednesday Bible Study - Ezra Fast

Hello St. Paul, Friends and Family

We will have Bible Study by Conference Call again tonight.  We will discuss the Ezra Fast.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+8&version=CEB

The call-in number

   (424)203-8400  and Access Code: 491039#

If you miss Bible Study, the playback number is  (424) 203-8409  Access Code 491039#

Bible Study - Disciple's Fast

St. Paul UMC Newton Bible Study will be by conference call at 7pm EDT tonight.  Our discussion is on the Disciple's Fast from Matthew 9:14-17 and Matthew 17:14-21.  This will be an open discussion as we talk about the Nine Biblical Fast outlined in Elmer Towns book "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough"

Call in  (424)203-8400 and Access Code: 491039#

If you miss Bible Study, the playback number is (424) 203-8409 Access Code 491039#

Bible Study Topic - Fasting (Session II)

In this technology age we are so busy that we are not able to make it to Bible Study.  I have a solution for those who are committed to learning and growing at every age and stage of life.  Tonight we will open a conference call bridge number for Bible Study at St. Paul UMC tonight at 7pm

The call-in number is (424) 203-8400  Access Code: 491039#

Tonight's Topic: Fasting Session II.  We are using the book Celebration of Discipline.  On this site, go to the Bible Study Tab to obtain past Bible Study lessons.

 Please e-mail me at REVLETTIEA@GMAIL.COM to receive the material for tonight's study in the future, I will post the information prior to Wednesday.

Week 15 – The Forms of Meditation – Meditation upon Events

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study

Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan

Week 15 – The Forms of Meditation – Meditation upon Events

            The last form of meditation Foster defined is “meditation upon events of our time and to seek to perceive their significance”.   In the previous lesson we talked about meditation upon creation, the beauty of what God created and now Foster wants us to focus on the events of our time as meditation.  When I read this particular portion of the book, God recalled to my memory my sermon preparation class.  My professor, the Late Rev. Dr. Miles Jones, said we need to read the newspaper and the Bible together.  As we meditate on the events we are asking God to reveal to us the deeper meaning of what was written in the paper or heard on the news.  This type of meditation is seeking God’s insight of today so we can see if the underlying issues were those that impacted the early church.  Foster also believe “we should ask for guidance for anything we personally should be doing to be salt and light in tour decaying and dark world” (pg. 32).

            When most of meditation upon current events and we are able to discern what God is revealing to us, we may not share it with others because we are not comfortable being the messenger of unpopular news.  God didn’t call us to be popular but to be like the prophets of old, speak to the people so they can turn from the path of destruction.  Have you noticed the events of today seem to be the same events going on in the Bible?  The same message the prophets spoke is still being reiterated today.  This is why it is necessary for us to seek that deeper meaning and relationship with God.

            Meditation on this level is not easy because we are seeking quick answers but we must sit a while with God for the revelation needed.  When we start meditation it may feel like a waste of time but actually it’s time in God’s presence.  Meditation is like everything else we start at first.  It’s hard and we may not feel we are making progress but the key is to keep doing it.  Don’t allow you feelings to discourage you because your feelings have good and bad days.

            As I searched for resources for Christian Meditation, I realized there was a lack of available resources.  A good rule of thumb is to look at the Notes section in the back of any book.  Foster used several books that can be found online.  If you are not sure about meditation, take small steps like prayer.  A little at a time and next you will be meditating and focusing on all things in life.

            This is our last lesson for meditation.  We will start looking at Prayer.  Remember, we are working on the inward disciplines.  These disciplines develop our personal time with God.

Assignment:

Research an event you remember from growing up (i.e. war, crime, peace, unity). 

Pray and ask God to show you why did this happen? 

Write down where Bible a similar event took place in the Bible

What was the outcome?

Week 14 – The Forms of Meditation – Meditation upon Creation

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study

Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan

Week 14 – The Forms of Meditation – Meditation upon Creation

            The third form of meditation Foster defined is “meditation upon creation”.  We give attention to the “created order” (ie trees, moon, stars, mountains, ocean, and etc).  As we travel across the world, in our city and state we marvel at the wonderful, majestic creation of God.  The handiwork of God causes us to sit for hours and praise God for the beauty of creation. 

            Every time I fly to the west coast, I’m always amazed at the formation of the clouds at 34,000 feet or when we fly over the Grand Canyon the view is breath taking.  While sitting on the plane looking out the window one can’t help but to reflect and meditate on what God created out of emptiness. Maybe some of us don’t fly, but we find ourselves sitting outside or inside during the summer watching the movement of a butterfly or hummingbird going from flower to flower.  We may become intrigued and want to get closer but instead we sit there smiling knowing that God created them for a different purpose.  We have found ourselves as “Evelyn Underhill recommends, “…begin with that first form of contemplation which the old mystics sometimes called, ‘the discovery of God in his creatures.’ “ (p. 31).  We are truly discovering God when we are meditating upon creation.

            As we watch the created order of God we learn lessons and God reveals things to us we never saw or heard before.  When we meditate upon creation we can relate to Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”  Then when we read the beginning of Genesis Chapter 1, “On the first day God created light and darkness, night and day; on the second, the firmament separating earthly and heavenly waters; on the third, dry land and vegetation; on the fourth, the heavenly luminaries of the sun (‘greater luminary’) for ruling the day and the moon (chief ‘lesser luminary’) for ruling the night; on the fifth, sea creatures and birds; and on the sixth, land creatures and humans.”^[1]

            As we keep reading we start to notice Psalm 150, Daniel 12:3, James 1:18 and Revelation 5:13.  These are just some scriptures to read and others may come to mind while meditating upon creation.  Since we are apart of God’s creation, we may find ourselves meditating on the gifts and vision God gave human beings.  Imagine the creation of the internet, airplane, cars, trains and building. When we truly meditate on creation we are taking an in-depth look, we want to be able to smell the salty ocean waters, listen intently to the songs the birds sing, watch how the snowflakes fall to the ground and feel a warm summer breeze.  We want our senses to be engaged and allow our mind to see beyond the surface but focus on the source of all these beautiful and marvelous creation of God.

Fun assignment:

Identify a creation of God and meditate on it deeply and engage your senses. 

Describe how this creation makes you feel

Write the simple message God revealed to you about that creation

Post the simple message to the blog.

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^[1]Achtemeier, Paul J. ; Harper & Row, Publishers ; Society of Biblical Literature: Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco : Harper & Row, 1985, S. 192

Week 13 – The Forms of Meditation – Re-Collection and Centering Down

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study

Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan

Week 13 – The Forms of Meditation – Re-Collection and Centering Down

            The second form of meditation Foster defined is “re-collection” which comes from the Middle Ages, and the Quakers called it “centering down”.  Both terms means the same thing according to Foster, “It is a time to become still, to enter into the recreating silence, to allow the fragmentation of our minds to become centered” (p. 30).  Basically we are eliminating all distractions so we can focus being in the presence of God. 

            As we focus being in the presence of God we are turning over all burdens to God as we seek internal silence.  While researching this topic the following website: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12676b.htm talked about two types of recollection, active and passive.  “Active recollection may be acquired by our own efforts aided by the ordinary grace of God. Thus any devout soul can acquire the habit of thinking of God's presence and of fixing attention upon Him and his Divine perfections.”  This seems more like an exercise in yoga where we are asked to focus on a certain thing.  The key word is active we must do something to be a participant in this recollection.  We are recollection our thoughts and recalling to our memory what it means to recreate an internal silence while in the presence of God.  Internal silence is peace we are releasing our fear, frustration and anxiety that is going on externally.  We start to feel a burden lifted when we release our external issue.

The second type is “passive recollection does not depend upon our own efforts, but is an extraordinary grace infused by God, by which He summons together the faculties of the soul and manifests His presence and His perfections; this kind of recollection is classed by mystical writers as the first degree of infused contemplation.”  As we all know being passive is sitting by doing nothing in the process.  We are not thinking about God, but God shows up without us being active.  When God manifest God’s self we are allowing God to commune with and in us.  Just remember, we can not always be passive in our meditation with God. 

The centering down is apart of the Quaker’s worship.  The practice of removing the external distraction so one can be in the spirit with God.  Take a look at this website:  http://www.wfmc.net/essays/centering_down.htm.   When we are in the spirit, we are able to see and hear God differently.  Even in the centering down moments we may have to find a quiet place in order to remove ourselves from distractions.

As we think about this second form of meditation, we may become more aware of those in the Bible who used this form of meditation.  Take the time to read the book of Psalms, the Gospel especially areas where Jesus’ teaches his disciples and the book of Daniel.    

Week 12 – The Forms of Meditation - mediation Scripturarum

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study

Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan

Week 12 – The Forms of Meditation - mediation Scripturarum

            In the last lesson we discussed how to prepare for meditation.  As we prepare for meditation we seek a place of comfort for us where there would be the least amount of distractions.  This will help us with the four different forms of meditation Foster outlines in the book: “mediation Scripturarum, re-collection, meditation upon creation and meditation upon current events”.

            The first form of meditation is “meditatio Scripturarum” which is the meditation upon scripture, “the meditation of Scripture centers on internalizing and personalizing the passage” (p. 29).

Meditation upon Scripture is not new it can be found through out the Bible.  So many of us have been meditating on scripture for God to speak to us, however many people meditate on the word for their own purpose so it can be used to oppress or promote a personal agenda.  This form of meditation is not what we are reading into the scripture but what the scripture is saying to us for our lives today.

When we meditation on Scripture we are allowing the word to resonate in our spirit to the point it becomes flesh. Too many times we want to study instead of meditate and thus our focus changes.  We are preoccupied with the meaning of each word rather than focusing on how the passage of scripture can be interpreted for practical, personal use in our daily lives. Unlike eastern meditation,   Christian meditation is not emptying our minds we are fully focusing on scripture we’ve read and seek a deep personal meaning for our lives. If we meditate on the word once or twice we are getting a surface meeting, however Foster suggests we spend a whole week on a single text according to Bonhoeffer.  When we spend a week on a whole text we engage our five senses and start to correlate things in our life with the text we have meditated upon.  This is what makes the text come alive because we have a better understanding.

            The more I read and reflect on the things I learned in seminary this is one thing that stayed with me over time meditation upon the scripture.  I love the fact when I’ve been meditating on a passage of scripture to preach, I feel I’m at a stumbling block suddenly God unlocks a memory, a song, an event that I can use as an example to make it plain.  God not only unlocks memory but sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we can apply or experience in today’s world what we were meditating on.  “It is important to resist the temptation to pass over many passages superficially.  Our rushing reflects our internal state and our internal state is what needs to be transformed” (p. 29).  This statement is true on many parts; there have been times I’ve meditated on a passage of scripture for a month because my spirit just wouldn’t rest until I truly made a connection within. 

            I performed a word search on meditation and the following scriptures appeared: Josh. 1:8; Psa. 1:2; Psa. 4:4; Psa. 19:14; Psa. 39:3; Psa. 49:3; Psa. 63:5, 6; Psa. 73:12–22; Psa. 77:10–12; Psa. 104:34; Psa. 119:11, 16, 23, 48, 55, 59, 78, 97–99,148; Psa. 139:17, 18; Psa. 143:5; 1 Tim. 4:13–15^[1].  Take the time to read and reflect on those but then go back and read a passage you have been wrestling with for a while.  If you don’t have one let me suggest one for you Psalm 112.  Meditate day and night, walk around with it on your mind and let it consume you.

Going Deeper:

1. Have you meditated upon scripture to the point that God gave you message or warning to share with the people? Did you share or not?
2. Why do you think people rather do a superficial meditation? Have you?

Next Lesson:  Re-Collection

           

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^[1]Swanson, James ; Nave, Orville: New Nave's. Oak Harbor : Logos Research Systems, 1994

Week 11 – Preparing for Meditation with a Sanctified Imagination

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study

Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan

Week 11 – Preparing for Meditation with a Sanctified Imagination

This week’s lesson deals with our imagination as we prepare for meditation.  As we all know our imagination can be very creative or corrupt.  When we talk about meditation as a Christian we are talking about entering into the presence of our living God by ourselves.  When preparing our mind to meditate on scripture or to be in the presence of God we are not emptying ourselves and our minds, we are focusing on God.  Therefore when Foster discusses a sanctified imagination he also discusses the concerns as well.

One concern is that our imagination is not reliable and can be used by the Adversary. In Genesis chapter 3, the serpent distorted what God told Adam and Eve.  They were outwitted by the serpent because they relied on their imagination only.  If the serpent can use our imagination for Evil, we know without a doubt God can use it for God’s purpose in our lives.  Let us be aware that distorting the truth is a way the Adversary uses our imagination for the wrong purpose. Before the fall our purpose was to be in relationship with God where God provided and cared for us in our fleshly form.  

            Another concern is, manipulation and self-deception causes an overactive imagination.  When we have an overactive imagination we can create scenarios and ideas to manipulate the situation for our purpose. Manipulation can be so subtle that the person being manipulated doesn’t have a clue to how they were pulled into the creative imagination of another until it is too late.  The overactive imagination causes many to be deceitful to other and self.  We all know our weakness and when the adversary is trying to manipulate us, he/she will use the things we like or love to get close enough to us.  God doesn’t give us images to manipulate us but to draw us closer in relationship so we can depend upon God solely.  Foster uses Romans 1:21, but I suggest reading verse 18ff to understand the entire context for that one verse also, read Genesis 8:21, Jeremiah 7:24 and Luke 1:51.

            When we lean and depend on God, we are truly shown and given images only can provide.  Often times we find ourselves in these déjà vu moments.  These are those epiphany’s God has revealed to us as we spend time in God’s presence or even as we sleep.  God will give images to those around us because we may not be in a position to handle what God needs to show us at a particular moment in time.  Always be in prayer and discern the images others share with you because sometimes it may not be what they are saying.

            “To believe that God can sanctify and utilize the imagination is simply to take seriously the Christian idea of incarnation.” (p. 26).  Incarnation is that act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, became man. Christ is both God and man.^[1]  For centuries people have been trying to separate the divinity of Christ to make him only a God and forget about the human side the included the suffering he had to endure.  Because Christ took on human form he knows how the adversary would try to distort and manipulate for his/her purpose.  If the adversary tried all he could to get Jesus to bow down before him why do we think he will not try the same with us by using our imagination for selfish motives?

            When we are preparing our minds for mediation we want to chose a time and guard it like a meeting or appointment.  You may have to write it down on the calendar depending on the time of day.  Second, choose a place where there will be no interruption or distractions.  This place should be free of those things that will tempt you for example a TV, phone, or computer.  Lastly, posture is important inwardly.  We want to be relaxed and focus on God.  There is no wrong or right posture, but we want to be in a place where we can be comfortable. 

Reading Assignment in the Synoptic Gospel as Jesus:

Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46

Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 8:34-9:1, Luke 9:23-27

 

Going Deeper:

1. Have you been manipulated by another person without realizing your behavior changed?
2. When was the last time God presented an image to you?  Was it for your purpose or another?
3. What are some other concerns regarding the sanctified imagination?

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^[1]Easton, M.G.: Easton's Bible Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996, c1897

Week 10 – Meditation as Communion with God

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study

Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan

Week 10 – Meditation as Communion with God

     In our lesson last week, we defined meditation and briefly explained the difference between Eastern Meditation and Christian Meditation. This week we will dig deeper into Richard Foster’s book and the chapter on meditation. In the beginning chapter, Foster reinforce the meaning of meditation as “listening to God’s word, reflecting on God’s works, rehearsing God’s deeds, ruminating on God’s law, and more….which stress upon a change behavior as a result of our encounter with the living God” (p. 15). Therefore Christian meditation is asking and allowing God to enter into our lives, our most inner places and communion with us.
     When we are in communion with God we have the “ability to hear God’s voice and obey God’s word” (p. 17). In order for God to have communion with us we must be in a position to listen and hear God’s voice. Often the busyness of our lives causes us to be distracted by the world we live in that we block out communion time with God. Let us not get communion confused with the practice for the ordinances Jesus left for the church to do. This communion we are referring to is a holy relationship with God. A relationship in which we talk to God and God talks to us in our most intimate inner place. This type of intimacy is where are vulnerable to God and we allow God to enter into the places of our secret desires, dreams and dysfunctional behavior.  When we must bare all we find ourselves not worthy to be in God’s presence, therefore we act just like the Israelites in Exodus 20:18-21 “18 When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraidd and trembled and stood at a distance, 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.” 21 Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.”1
     So many of us are afraid of communion with God because it requires intimacy on a level we have not experienced or rather not experience because we do not believe God’s grace is sufficient. What we ought to realize and understand is that we, “God’s people continue to learn to live on the basis of hearing God’s voice and obeying God’s word” (p. 18). Our mediation should allow us to become familiar with God that we can see God move and hear God’s voice constantly. God’s desire is to have a “perpetual Eucharistic feast in the inner sanctuary of the heart…we cannot burn the eternal flame of the inner sanctuary and remain the same” (p. 20). What Foster is saying is that as we partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus Christ sacrifice for us, God wants our heart to be a never ending communion feast in our hearts.  As Christians meditation is allowing God to dwell within us forever (Revelation 3:20, Romans 14:17). When we commune with God and reflect on the name Immanuel we are saying, God is not only with us, but God is in us. When we are willing to listen to God let us open the inner sanctuary of our hearts to God.


Going Deeper:
1. How do you describe your communion with God? Is it shallow or deep?

2. Do you continue to have others to intercede on your behalf before God?

3. What type of centering moment would you prepare for your communion time with God?



Next Week: Foster’s Book pp 25-26 (Sanctifying the Imagination for Meditation)


d Sam Gk Syr Vg: MT they saw
1 The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989, S. Ex 20:18-21

Week 9 – Understanding Meditation and its Purpose

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 9 – Understanding Meditation and its Purpose

In our last lesson we completed an in-depth look at Spiritual Growth Development as it compares to Human Development. This brief detour from Foster’s book was taken to prepare us for the rest of the disciplines needed and how these disciplines helps us get to the reproduction stage in Spiritual Maturity. Of course there are many books on spiritual maturity and as time prolongs, a list of helpful books will be identified for each lesson. Let us journey onward into Meditation.

When we hear the word meditation we often recall or reflect on images of sitting on the floor doing yoga or legs crossed with our hands in a praying position. We may think about the sounds people make as they meditate. These are some of the ways people understand meditation especially in the Western Culture. When we mention meditation people will also assume we are talking about Yoga, Buddism or Hinduism. However, “the difference between Christian meditation and Buddhist meditation is that the former is oriented to an object (the encounter of the perceptible world and the self-revealing God; → Revelation), whereas the latter expressly has no object.”

Prior to opening Foster’s chapter on mediation here’s a few definitions to help unravel the mystery of meditation. First we must recognize that meditation is active and according to Webster’s dictionary it is “a discourse intended to express its author’s reflections or to guide others in contemplation.” Therefore when we meditate on scripture we are reflecting on what the author/writer of was saying during that time so that we can interpret, make plain and unpack it for modern revelation. Meditation also draws us to study and marvel a little while longer. For example have you found yourself in awe and fully focused on God’s creation that you forgot about everything and everyone around you except for that one thing that has you full attention? That is deep meditation, the meditation of study. According to O. Haendler (1890–1981), all healthy people meditate. When we know astonishment or wonder, when a word or event grips us, when we look at a picture or at something beautiful and it touches us (→ Aesthetics), we have an experience close to meditation. Haendler views meditation as “the living activity of our most inward mental and spiritual organs, with which we apprehend life’s reality and achieve the depth and power and essentiality of our own being” (p. 13).

Let us look at another definition of meditation, “the word “meditation” or its verb form, “to meditate,” is found mainly in the Old Testament. The Hebrew words behind this concept mean “to murmur,” “a murmuring,” “sighing,” or “moaning.” These are the scriptures of the OT that focus on meditation: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalm. 4:4; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 39:3; Psalm 49:3; Psalm 63:5, 6; Psalm 73:12–22; Psalm 77:10–12; Psalm 104:34; Psalm 119:11, 16, 23, 48, 55, 59, 78, 97–99,148; Psalm 139:17, 18; Psalm 143:5
As we think about the characters and people of the OT they knew what mediation was and how it was done.

During my research I found that many of us only understand or see mediation as something being done for relaxation or a cultural practice for many in the Middle East. So before we think meditation is not for us, take the time to review the above scriptures and these from the NT Luke 21:14, 1 Timothy 4:15, Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2. In our meditation moment were put our faith to work asking God to reveal situations and scripture that have grab our attention but will not let us go until we are able to re-interpret it in a practical way. Take the time to really focus on the scriptures and think about what meditation means to you. There are two assignments to ponder this week, the fun assignment and the going deeper questions.

Fun assignment: Perform a GOOGLE search on the word meditation. How many sites referred you to Christian mediation? What was the focus of the meditation and what were the suggestions for mediation?

Going Deeper:
1. Are we fearful of meditation because it is practiced in other cultures and religions? Why?
2. What are some ways you can revive meditation as a Christian?

Week 8 – Spiritual Growth Development Part VI

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 8 – Spiritual Growth Development Part VI

In our last lesson we talked about the Young Adult stage. This week we will discuss the last stage, the Adult stage. This is that fully mature stage where one is reproducing in others the tools necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. This is the stage where we set the examples for others to follow. When a child grows and mature into an adult, the adult will serve as a mentor to others growing and maturing. As an adult we want to share the wisdom and knowledge we’ve gained over the years so others do not walk down some road that will cause them to be frustrated and rebellious. As an adult, whether a parent or not, we’ve learned some valuable lessons along life highway. If we take the time to think back to the Apostles, they were first call disciples. They had to go through the same stages of spiritual growth. Basically we are no different than those first disciples. We are no different than the young ruler with a mound of wealth.

Once we reach this adult stage we have become the teacher. We are taking the time to reproduce what is in us. The biggest danger we face in this stage is the lack of concern for others. Often in life when people climb the corporate ladder, excel in sports, spiritual gifts, natural talents or education we may forget or forsake those who have sacrificed, molded or groomed us so we can be who we are now. Some of us have been cold, callous and critical of our formal lives that we will do anything to bury it. As Christians who have matured into teaching vessels we want to remember parts of our lives so we can explain with real life situations. As we look at scripture we find people who demonstrated the life as a spiritual mature adult. Take the time to read and reflect on the following:
Life of Joseph, Book of Job, Book of Esther, the Apostles and the Life of Paul, there is much to learn about spiritual growth and maturity. Here are a few things to remember about Spiritual Maturity:

1. It is a process and there are no shortcuts. We can not grow from a baby to an adult overnight so remember our spiritual maturity is the same
2. Just because we are of a seasoned age and just accepted Christ we are not grandfathered in, we have to go through the same process as everyone else.

3. There will be days when we will find yourselves sliding up and down those basic needs and danger areas identified:

BASIC NEEDS: Assurance, Discernment, Discipline, Victory and Reproduce.

DANGERS: Doubt, Led Astray, Rebellion, Frustration and Apathy

4. No matter how much we know, we will never know more than God. When we surrender ourselves to God we are forsaking family and friends to follow this Gospel.
5. Stay focus because the goal of the enemy is to keep us immature in the word and growth.

Really take the time to read those books and passages. There is a lot of useful and practical wisdom. So pull out a concordance or go online and search for one. Remember we are held accountable for what we know and what we teach others on the journey.

Going Deeper:

1. If God has called you to reproduce your spiritual walk using the tools given, what will stop you from doing it?
2. In the past year what basic need you didn’t receive and where do you sit on the danger scale?
3. Do you feel that the stage of spiritual growth and maturity is too much of a process? If so, what would be a better way to get to the stage of an adult?


Next Lesson - Meditation

Week 7 – Spiritual Growth Development Part V

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 7 – Spiritual Growth Development Part V

In our last lesson we talked about the child/teenager stage. This stage is the beginning of the boundaries being defined and developing our own sense of identify as we are maturing in Christ. This week we will discuss the Young Person stage. The young person stage in the human development has a broad range of age, however for this study we will look at it from the age of 20 to 35. Since we are not placing age on the Spiritual Growth we can say this is the stage of celebration and victory because one has matured to a point where we are our own person in Christ.

When we look at this stage from the human behavior point of view we notice a few things, we are willing and ready to make long term commitments, we learn how to compromise and make sacrifices. At this stage in our human development we have overcome a lot of obstacles to get we are in life. In the midst of all the celebration we often find ourselves being frustrated with how things continue to move in life. We feel if we have matured to become a productive member of society why others haven’t done the same thing. During this stage in life we are bonding with people and creating a lasting relationship. As these relationships grow and others stop growing because they feel they’ve learned all they need to survive for the rest of life, we look at them with amazement because we are learning something new everyday no matter how small it is.

This is what the 4th level of spiritual growth is about. We have set boundaries for ourselves so we can become that mature person in the spirit. We know that at every turn the adversary is lurking around waiting for the chance to push us off the path and not allow us to achieve that fullness of victory. When we talk about victory in Christ we are talking about the maturity steps taken to overcome the hurtful, hateful and hair-raising experience that would want to make us holler and fight. We because frustrated and resentful when we don’t understand why people are still so immature when it comes to spiritual maturity. When we get this point in our life are not expected to know everything but we feel great about what we’ve learned and how we can share our own life experiences with others to help them set their own boundaries, transform their integrity and character.

When we uphold a standard for ourselves we ought to demonstrate that standard in our everyday action. If our standard becomes a moving target we will easily become discourage because we are not where we want to be on the journey. If we try to uphold others to that same standard and they don’t measure it we become frustrated. We are frustrated because we are taking on the burdens that are not for us to carry.

When we become frustrated on this Christian journey we may become isolated. We will cut people out of our lives; ignore people and slowly sliding down the ladder of rebellion. We must remember what works for us will not work for everyone and what we have done in the past may not work in our present level of maturity. We have matured at this point beyond the superficial and the shallow. Our spiritual walk is much deeper than before. We allow things to roll off but we are aware of the darts, snares and arrows that continue to show up in our lives in the image of friends, co-workers, family, peers and colleagues. It’s hard to say not to become frustrated but when we find ourselves in that situation it’s time to steal away in the presence of God.

Scripture Reading:
1 John 2:11-28, John 12:27-31, Genesis 4:3-8, 1 John 5:4

Going Deeper:

1. What has been the most frustrated and annoying thing you encountered on your Christian Journey so far? What could you have done not be annoyed?
2. Since you’ve reach the stage of victory what are some things that helped you to get to this stage? Why do you think others find it hard to get to this same stage?
3. Was it possible to short cut the growth to get to this stage? What would be a noticeable since when one has taken a short cut?

Week 6 – Spiritual Growth Development Part IV

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 6 – Spiritual Growth Development Part IV

In our last lesson we talked about the Toddler stage. Toddler’s will look to see whose watching them as they do things they are not suppose to do. When you get a chance just observe a toddler and then reflect on what we discussed previously.

In this lesson we wanted to discuss the child/teenager stage of spiritual growth. As we have done in the past few weeks we took a look at the human side of a child development. This week we want to look at this stage from the perspective of preschool through adolescent. This entire stage is truly a child/teenager formative years of life. They learn about themselves, their abilities, their likes and dislikes. This is also the area where they recognize right from wrong, explore their sexuality, and make their own decisions about the type of friends they want in their life. Most of all the adolescent starts to enjoy the trust, freedom and independence away from their parents and spend more time with their peers. Since we are being real, this is when most adolescent start ‘smelling themselves’. Some were around the ages of 13-16 the adolescent will challenge their parents, disobey rules and become rebellious because of the discipline and boundaries their parents have set.

We all remember we had chores to do in the house and around the yard growing up, even down to the littlest one. We were given a curfew, responsibilities and a semi-social life. Basically we had boundaries and if we did not do or act responsibly there were consequences. During these formative years our parents were teaching us boundaries through discipline. There were reasons why we had to be in the house before the street light came one. There were reasons why “Miss or Mr. so and so” kept an eye on us knowing our parents were not home and yes they had permission to spank us, then we’ll get another one once we got home from our parents. Our parent’s goal was to prepare us for the real world, they allowed us to fall when we refuse to listen or ignore what they were trying to teach us.

As we move from the human side of this development let us turn our attention to the spiritual side of this development. The spiritual side needs discipline for spiritual growth. In the first two lessons we discussed in detail the discipline needed. Too often we see God’s discipline as punishment for not doing what is right. In the OT we noticed God ruled with a heavy hand as our elders would say, but it the spiritual disciplines are those habits that are necessary for spiritual growth (i.e. prayer, devotion, meditation, studying and etc). This is why Foster’s book is so important to us because they spell out how to carry out these disciplines, but some of us may feel we do not need these disciplines to grow spiritually and often enough we find ourselves being in that rebellious stage like a teenager. We know what we are supposed to do but we rather follow the crowd instead of using our own mind.

This stage on our journey could be between our 5th and 10th year depending on how you were being molded and shaped on the journey. Sometimes this could be as early as the beginning of our journey because we placed certain discipline in our lives when we had to do homework or show responsibility to our parents. This is the same discipline of obedience God is seeking from us. God want us to enjoy our freedom but be responsible. We know that rebellion is lurking around the corner just waiting to tell us that all that reading, praying, studying and fasting isn’t needed. We hear people tell us that since are saved by Grace it doesn’t matter if we sin God will forgive us. Most of the time these are the same people who are still on spiritual milk and refuse to grow up.
On this journey we want to grow and mature, we don’t want to be saying the same prayer, fasting the same way, reading and studying only when we want something from God. We want to mature in the spirit so we can be a witness to others about God’s goodness and capable of handling the dangers we encounter. We also need to remind ourselves that just because we are believers in Christ we are still tempted by world and what the world has to offer. This is why it is very important to us to live a discipline life so that we know how to handle things.

We must learn how to pray for ourselves and others, we must learn how to read and interpret what we are reading so we can help explain things to others. When we are rebellious we find ourselves unable to handle the attacks against us and slowly we may slip back into being led astray and sitting in doubt. However if we have some discipline we would be able to discern and see what is happening before we slip back in to the baby stage.

I gave you enough to think about but take the time to read these scriptures and reflect on this stage of the Christian Journey. 1 John 2:12-14 and Job 1:1-12. Both of these passages give us some insight as we live this discipline life. Dig deeper in your faith walk put up boundaries for yourself and for others around you. When we get to a certain age it’s time for us to grow up so why not do the same with our spiritual lives.


Going Deeper:

1. How faithful will we be the disciplines placed in our lives?

2. Are we willing to continue in the disciplines while others who are not discipline seems to be doing much better in life?

3. Are you able to tell if a person lives a disciplined life? If so, how?

4. Does your character and actions speak of your disciplined life?

Week 5 – Spiritual Growth Development Part III

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 5 – Spiritual Growth Development Part III


Last week we concluded the discussion of the baby/infant stage of spiritual growth. This week we will discuss the 2nd stage of spiritual growth, a toddler. The toddler stage of human development is the stage of eating solid food, trying to be independent, testing the boundaries, and having temper tantrums. This is the stage of discernment when a toddler learns to distinguish good and bad by touching, they mimic the actions of others, form words, constantly hearing the word ‘NO’ and often talk in full sentences. When we view the toddler stage in spiritual growth the discernment comes from the wisdom and knowledge of the Holy Spirit. According to the Old Testament (OT), “the Hebrews used several words to describe stages of a child’s growth. A very young child was called a “suckling,” which meant that he was still nursing. Then he was referred to as a “weaned one”; this change was an important milestone in a child’s life. When the child matured a bit more, the Hebrews said he was a “toddler.”

As we view our spiritual growth in the toddler stage we find ourselves being less dependent on others. We are becoming proactive in our devotion and being corrected and guided by the Holy Spirit. We are starting to understand and comprehend the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and using church lingo. Although we are still young in our spiritual journey we must be careful of any type of doctrine. When we are not fully grounded or rooted we can be easily led astray in our thinking, therefore we can use Matthew 13:4-6 to interpret this stage and the baby/infant stage. When we want to quickly grow up in our faith we are like these seeds.

When we are starting out on this Christian Journey, we are shallow in our thinking and talking. We do not possess all the tools necessary for spiritual growth. Our knowledge is an inch deep. This is why in verse 19-21 Jesus explains the aforementioned text. As a toddler in the faith we will hear many things, we will hear about tradition, we will hear about order and we will hear about positions but we must learn to discern what we hear and be doers of righteous. As we know this is the stage of let me do it by myself. When we find ourselves as unplanted seeds on this journey we may need to take a step backwards to focus on why we really confessed and committed our lives to Christ. Toddlers of the faith can be led away by smooth talk, the promise of wealth and riches or given “speckled green meat” as Dr. Katie Cannon said in a lecture some years ago. When our discernment hasn’t reached the maturity level we are not able to stand firm and combat the forces of evil. We find ourselves in a battle without armor. We are so eager to show people what we’ve learned so we talk to be heard and do things so others can see us because we are growing in our faith. When we grow and mature it is seen in our actions, our conversations and our lifestyle.

This is our foundational stage where we start the process of listening to God and allowing God to transform our minds and hearts. At this stage we must be careful not to get caught up with messy people or messy situations. When we start mimicking those who have a partial relationship with God we tend to follow them instead of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Luke 6:49). When our spiritual development foundation is laid properly we are able to stand. As I mentioned the first year is very critical but it’s the first 5 to 7 years that where the word will be rooted in you. Our relationship with God is what we make of it. Take the time to know God for yourself, read and study your Bible to become familiar with the Word so it can have an impact on your life and those around you.

Going Deeper:
1. How deeply rooted in the word of God are you? Can others persuade you to do things I use to do?
2. Do you believe there are some cracks in your spiritual foundational development? If so, where do you think they came from?
3. What causes us to seek independence from God?




Next week we will look at the Stage of a Child/Teenager

Week 4-Spiritual Growth Development II

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Week 4-Spiritual Growth Development II

Last week lesson we compared the physical development of a baby/infant to the spiritual development of a baby/infant in Christ. This week I struggle to write because I wanted to move forward with the next level but God is holding me to the baby/infant stage just a little while longer. The more I reflect on this stage of spiritual development I look back on my own spiritual walk and glean from that first year of nurturing, support and assurance. There were many days I doubted this was for me because I converted from Islam to Christianity. I witness first hard how wicked people could be to leaders, friends and others. I thought to myself I could have stayed a non practicing Muslim if this is what Christians act like this outside of Sunday morning. We can talk about this until Jesus comes back so let us move on with the rest of a babe in Christ.

If we shame the devil and tell the truth, the first year is always a struggle and the period of adjustment. If you don’t believe me think about when the newborn baby comes home, the first year of marriage, the first year of divorce, the first year in college, the first year in a new job or in a new city. It’s not easy but we learn along the way. Just as a baby learns how to crawl and walk we do the same as new Christians.

As a new Christian there was parts of worship, the language and traditions I just didn’t understand. The spiritual milk for a babe in Christ is more than just reading the Bible, it’s being taught with genuine love, being nurtured and reassured of the decision we made. The first year of our spiritual growth is to prepare us for the journey. The spiritual milk consists of getting to know your bible, learning simple prayers, starting a personal devotional period, understanding worship and the church lingo: terminology used (i.e. Salvation, Restoration, Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost, Ordinances, Tithing, Sacraments, Baptism, Communion, slain in the spirit, speaking in tongues and etc). As we learn the first year we need to be surrounded by people who will not only pray for us but pray with us. So many times in the first year we feel abandon because we are new to the faith, new to the community and new to the church. Many churches have ministries for the first year Christian, the babe in Christ or reborn Christian. These types of ministries are very vital for the first year. Many churches and Christian often suffer from “spiritual amnesia” according to Dr. Joel Gregory. We forget what it is like to be new in Christ and we just assume everyone grew up in the church. When we encounter new Christians they will be zealous, on fire and overly excited about this journey. To all the newcomers to Christ take your time to grow but remember God can speed the growing process like he did Paul (Acts 9:1-22), because Paul already had a foundation and a relationship with God.


Going Deeper:
1. Do you remember your first year as a Christian? Did you receive sufficient assurance? Did this make an impact as you began your journey?
2. Do you encounter non-church people on a regular basis? What type of language do you use when talking to them?
3. What are some things you needed more help as a babe in Christ? How can you improve the experience of new Christians in your church?

Week 3 – Spiritual Growth Development

Celebration of Discipline Bible Study
Prepared by: Rev. Willetta Ar-Rahmaan
Click here to download: Week 3 – Spiritual Growth Development


For the past two weeks we talked about Spiritual Discipline and how they transform us from the inside. We also recognize that if we treat the disciplines as laws instead of a gift from God we have set ourselves up for failure and legalism. Now that we have a better understanding of the disciplines, let us look at the stages involved in spiritual growth development. This is a process and there are no shortcuts in spiritual growth.

There are five stages in our spiritual growth development: Infant/Baby, Toddler, Child, Young Adult and Adult. As we noticed each of these stages can be compared to the stages of human development. Over the next few weeks we will cover these stages and compare them to the human development at each stage. As we know the first year of growth is very critical. This is the stage of nurturing, assurance and gentleness. During the first year of a baby life their nourishment comes from milk either the mother’s milk or formula. When a newborn baby is brought home from the hospital the baby will sleep, get acclimated to the sounds and motions outside of the womb and rely on a parent to provide the nourishment of milk. Milk is the basic necessity for an infant during the first year of growth. According to Wikipedia, “Breastfeeding promotes health, helps to prevent disease, and reduces health care and feeding costs”.

Therefore, when we look at the first year of spiritual development we notice a similar pattern. When one is born again, they need the same nurturing, assurance, gentleness and so on. The difference between a newborn baby and a born again Christian is the age factor. When we are newborns of the spirit we are immature spiritually, but physically walking, talking and have our own presuppositions in life because we have heard and seen a lot. We have knowledge of God but not a deep knowledge. The spiritual baby as Dr. Cleophus LaRue stated during a revival one time, “can be gray haired babies”. This is an indication that we have the ability to accept Christ during any age in life and whatever the age we are still babies in the beginning.

As a baby needs milk to grow, as born again Christians we need the word of God and a mature Christian to help guide us. The key word is to guide us not make us like them but give us the tools necessary for the growth. When one accept Christ we want to be sure we made the right decision and if there is any doubt during the first year this is when many will walk away.

Let us look at a few scriptures as it relates to the nourishment of a new Christian.

1 Peter 2:2 - Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And so, brothers and sisters,a I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?

Hebrews 5:12-14 - For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.


As you read each of these scriptures, think back to the time when you first accepted Christ. Was it hard for you to grasp what was being taught to you? Was the word being force-fed to you? Where you taught as a mature Christian knowing you lacked the foundation?

Going Deeper:

1. How would you handle your first church conference as a new Christian with allegations and insults being hurled at each other?
2. Are there times you feel like an infant/baby on this journey?
3. Why is it hard to move from the baby stage and grow as a child of God?


Additional lesson
http://www.gospelway.com/christianlife/steps_maturity.php