Shared workflow: Donald S. Whitney's Ask the Philippians 4:8 Questions
This is unabashedly taken without modification from:
WHEN MEDITATING ON A VERSE OF SCRIPTURE, IT’S USUALLY MUCH easier to answer specific questions about it than to think about the text without any guidance or direction at all.
Recently, I was meditating on Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” It occurred to me that the directions given here for the kinds of things we should meditate on could serve as a list of things to look for in any verse I consider. As a result (and after consulting several translations of Philippians 4:8), I developed a series of questions based upon these things.
But while much of our meditation begins with Scripture and then applies it to life, it is also valid to begin by meditating on something in your life and then taking that to Scripture. You might reflect, for example, on the possible reasons God allowed something to happen to you, but then ultimately submit your thoughts to the sound foundation of Scripture, such as a text like Psalm 31:14–15.
In either case, that is, whether meditating on something in your life—an event, an experience, an encounter with someone, even a part of creation—or whether meditating on a verse or story in the Bible, the Philippians 4:8 questions can be a helpful guide. In fact, when thinking about anything, try asking:■ What is true about this, or what truth does it exemplify?
■ What is honorable about this?
■ What is right about this?
■ What is pure about this, or how does it exemplify purity?
■ What is lovely about this?
■ What is admirable, commendable, or reputation-strengthening about this?
■ What is excellent about this (in other words, excels others of this kind)?
■ What is praiseworthy about this?
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
Comments
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Hi MJ how can I put this in my Logos account?
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Click on the link in the first line then in the upper right click on link or add.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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