Discipleship Groups

Meditating on Scripture

What Does It Mean to Meditate on Scripture?

Tim Keller, in Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, writes that “to meditate is to ask yourself questions about the truth” and that it “seeks to use the mind intensely” (p. 148).

As asking questions, you may want to use the acronym S.P.E.A.K. to guide you:

S — Sin to avoid
P — Promise to claim
E — Exhortation or example to follow
A — Action to take
K — Know about God

S — Sin to Avoid

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23–24

• What do I learn about sin from this passage?

• Is there a specific sin I need to confess and forsake?

Take time to confess what the Spirit reveals. Praise the Lord for His forgiveness and for leading you in the way everlasting.

P — Promise to Claim

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3

• Is there a promise for me to trust and hold onto?

• When I forget this promise, how does it affect me or my relationships?

• How would believing this promise change my thoughts or actions?

The Bible is full of precious and great promises. When we believe, remember and love these promises, we receive strength and hope in difficult times, and are guarded against temptation.

E — Exhortation or Example to Follow

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” — Galatians 6:9–10

• Is there a word of encouragement, or warning, or correction that I need to hear or heed?

• If I feel anxious or discouraged, how does this exhortation help me?

• What example do I see (from Jesus or others) that I should imitate?

A — Action to Take

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10

• What specific step should I take in response to this passage?

• Does He want you avoid or confess a sin, believe a promise, follow an example, encourage, pray for, or serve someone, or obey a command?

K — Knowledge of God

“See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” — Deuteronomy 32:39

• What does this passage teach me about God (Father, Son, or the Holy Spirit)?

• What truth about Him do I need to remember or memorize?

Final Encouragement

These questions are meant to guide and deepen your meditation—not view them as an assignment. The goal is to slow down, reflect, and intentionally commune with God through His Word.