Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and other sources

3. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
4 February 1906 - 9 April 1945
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian, martyr, a
spiritual writer, a musician, a pastor, and an author of
poetry and fiction. The integrity of his Christian faith
and life, and the international appeal of his
writings, have received broad recognition and
admiration, all of which has led to a consensus that he
is one of the theologians of his time whose theological
reflections might lead future generations of Christians
into creating a new more spiritual and responsible
millennium.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian famous for
his stand against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. His
beliefs and convictions ultimately cost him his life in a
Nazi concentration camp. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one
of the most famous theologians and martyrs of the
20th century.

4. What is meditation?
 "In Meditative Prayer we create the emotional and
spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an
inner sanctuary in the heart." - Richard Foster.
 “….our minds become His temple-tent….” –
Thomas Merton
 Jesus is always waiting for us in silence. In that
silence, He will listen to us; there He will speak to
our soul, and there we will hear His voice.“ -
Mother Teresa of Calcutta

5. What is meditation?
 “In meditation, God’s Word seeks to enter in and
remain with us. It strives to stir us, to work and operate
in us, so that we shall not get away from it the whole
day long. Then it will do its work in us, often without
our being conscious of it.” - DB
 “…In the same way that the word of a person who is
dear to me follows me throughout the day, so the Word
of Scripture should resonate and work within me
ceaselessly. “- DB
 “Just as you would not dissect and analyze the word
spoken by someone dear to you, but would accept it
just as it was said, so you should accept the Word of
Scripture and ponder it in your heart as Mary did.”- DB

6. What does Scripture Say?
 Joshua 1:8
 Psalm 19:14
 Romans 12.1
 Psalm 1:1-3
 Psalm 86:11
 Psalm 119:11

7. “Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 “Because I am a Christian. Therefore, every day in
which I do not penetrate more deeply into the
knowledge of God’s Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day
for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the
firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I
learn to know the Holy Scripture in no other way than
by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful
meditation.”

8. “Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 Because I am a preacher of the Word. I cannot
expound the Scripture for others if I do not let it speak
daily to me. I will misuse the Word in my office as
preacher if I do not continue to meditate upon it in
prayer.
 I will offend against my calling if I do not seek each
day in prayer the word that my Lord wants to say to me
for that day. Ministers of the Word are especially called
upon to perform the office of prayer: “But we will devote
oursleves to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts
6:4).

9. “Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 “Because I need a firm discipline of prayer. We like
to pray according to our moods — briefly, at length, or
not at all. But that is to be arbitrary. Prayer is not a
free-will offering to God; it is obligatory
service, something that he requires. We are not free to
engage in it according to our own wishes.

10. “Why do I meditate?” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 “Because I need help against the ungodly haste and
unrest which threaten my work as a pastor. Only from
the peace of God’s Word can there flow the
proper, devoted service of each day.”

11. How do I Meditate?
 Still yourself: Begin with a moment of silence; invite God’s
presence to lead you. Open yourself to God’s Word.
 Pray: Father God, help us to quiet our hearts and minds before
you. Please speak to us through your Word and remind us of
your mighty acts.
 Read: Circle or underline words that stand out to you.
 Reflect: Re-read the passage.) What emotions are stirred in
you? Ask God: “What is it I don’t understand or believe in my
heart that I need to absorb more fully?” Write down your
thoughts.
 Respond: Re-read the passage. Be quiet before God. Listen. What
do you sense he is saying to you through the passage?
 Share: What, if anything, did God reveal to you through this
exercise?
 Practice Using I Chron 29:10-14

12. Suggestions for Meditation
 Deep, Not Wide
“Whereas in our devotions together we read long
consecutive passages, in our personal meditation we
confine ourselves to a brief selected text” (pp. 81-82)

13. Suggestions for Meditation
Quality, Not Quantity
“It is not necessary that we should get through the entire
passage in one meditation. Often we shall have to stop
with one sentence or even one word, because we have
been gripped and arrested and cannot evade it any
longer.” (p. 83)

14. Suggestions for Meditation
Make It Personal
“In our meditation we ponder the chosen text on the strength
of the promise that it has something utterly personal to say
for us for this day and for our Christian life, that it is not
only God’s word for the Church, but it is God’s word for us
individually. We expose ourselves to this specific word until
it addresses us personally.” (p. 82)
“We do not ask what this text has to say to other people. For
the preacher this means that he will not ask how he is going
to preach or teach on this text, but what it is saying quite
directly to him.” (p. 83)

15. Suggestions for Meditation
No Points For Originality
“It is not necessary that we should discover new ideas in
our meditation. Often this only diverts us and feeds
our vanity. It is sufficient if the word, as we read and
understand it, penetrates and dwells within us.”

16. Suggestions for Meditation
Go With It
“If your thoughts keep wandering, there is not need for
your to hold on to the compulsively. There is nothing
wrong with letting them roam where they will; be then
incorporate in your prayers the place or person to
which they have gone. So you will find your way back
to the text, and the minutes spend in such diversions
will not be lost and will no longer be any cause for
worry.”

17. Why Morning?
 “I rise before the dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy
words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I
may meditate on Thy word.” (Psalm 119:147-148)
 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still
dark, he departed and went out to a desolate
place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

18. Why Morning?
 “The first moments of the new day are not the time for
our own plans and worries, not even for our zeal to
accomplish our own work, but for God’s liberating
grace, God’s sanctifying presence. “ - DB

19. Why Morning?
 “Before the heart unlocks itself for the world, God
wants to open it for himself; before the ear takes in the
countless voices of the day , it should hear in the early
hours the voice of the Creator and Redeemer.” - DB

20. Why Morning?
 “The morning must yield an hour of quiet time for
prayer and common devotion. That is certainly not
wasted time. How else could we prepare ourselves to
face the tasks, cares, and temptations of the day?” - DB

21. Why Morning?
 “In meditation, God’s Word seeks to enter in and
remain with us. It strives to stir us, to work and operate
in us, so that we shall not get away from it the whole
day long. Then it will do its work in us, often without
our being conscious of it.” - DB

22. The Bible is the cradle
wherein Christ is laid.
- Martin Luther