ABC: Bible Meditation for Me! V Is for Verses & Visualization

ABC: Bible Meditation for Me! V Is for Verses and Visualization

ABC: Bible Meditation for Me!  Bible Meditation Vs. Eastern Meditation

Introduction:  This is a lesson in a twenty-six part series created for parents, grandparents, teachers, and kids.  Each lesson will focus on biblical and nonbiblical meditation.

V Is for Bible Verses

V is for Bible verses
You need to heed.
V is for Bible verses
You need to read--
to think about them!

Think About the "Think on These Things" Verse

Think about the "Think on These Things" verse in Philippians 4:8 which reads, "...  Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Dee D.'s Bible Verse Advice

Dee D. always had a Bible verse or two to share.  And one of her favorites was: "The Think on These Things" verse from Philippians 4:8.  Dee's advice was if there are troublesome things you can't stop dwelling on, think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Say, did you notice Dee suggested thinking about a Bible verse or meditating on it? She didn't say do mindfulness meditation or guided visualization meditation to calm or relax you. Instead she suggested "Bible" meditation.

The "T.O.T.T." Bible Verse Marker

T.O.T.T. stands for "Think on These Things!  Make a marker.  On one side copy the verse, and on the reverse side write: "T.O.T.T."  Fringe the top and bottom of the marker.  Oh, and don't forget to think a lot about this verse!

The "T.O.T.T." Pop-up Poster

Make a poster; print the verse on it.  Cut around sides and top of the words: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, and think on these things.  Leave the words and phrase attached at the bottom so the words can be popped out.  Hang it up.

Ten Psalm 119 Verses to Rehearse

Here are ten verses from Psalm 119 in rhyme to learn and to think on.  If you wish, print them and glue each one on a page of a tiny book.  Notice the first part rhymes with the scripture verse at the end. 

A verse to ponder:  "... O let me not wander from thy commandments." (Ps. 119:10)
A verse to write:  "... I delight in thy law." (Ps. 119:70)
A verse of contemplation:  "... thy testimonies are my meditation."  (Ps.119:99)
A verse to repeat:  "How sweet are thy words to my taste."  (Ps.119:103)
A verse to say: "I hate every false way."  (Ps. 119:104)
A verse to recall: "I esteem all thy precepts."  (Ps.119: 128)
A verse to recite: "The entrance of thy words giveth light."  (Ps.119:130)
A verse for you: "Thy word is true from the beginning." (Ps.119:160)
A verse to voice:  "I rejoice at thy word."  (Ps. 119:162)
A verse to rehearse:  "I have kept thy precepts." (Ps.119:168)

The Eastern Way

V Is for Guided Visualization

V is for guided visualization,
a technique where someone seeks
to tell you what to do with your mind.

Guided Visualization Meditation

When a boy or girl gets stressed, they are asked to lie or sit still, close their eyes, calm their body, and breathe various ways as one listens to a podcast or voice (parent, teacher) telling you just what to think in your mind.  But is this the Bible way?  No, not at all.  It is a false way.  For God's way uses His Word to help us calm down and focus, rather than someone telling us what to do with our body, breath, and mind.

Parental Suggestions:

Be Alert to Bedtime/Naptime Guided Meditations!

Guided visualization scripts are often used before naptime or bedtime.  Be especially aware of this should your child or grandchild be enrolled in any kind of a PreK or K program (even a church program!) that includes a rest time.  Always ask what is done to get the children to settle down.
Steer clear of programs where the teacher uses the internet via a smart board, for example, and randomly chooses video visualizations that seem soothing.  

Listen to Dr. Becky Bailey's (Conscious Discipline Founder) Meditation Script!

Dr. Becky Bailey's "Safe and Calm Meditation" (The Learning Station) done in Bailey's mesmerizing voice instructs children how to quiet and calm their bodies and minds.  Listen to it twice!!  Can you discern its deceptions?*  Click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVM9JKbIIqU

*  For more about this video and Dr. Bailey's program read; "The Conscious Discipline Program's Link to A Course in Miracles and Mindfulness Meditation" found on my blog.

Another Example of Guided Kids' Visualization Video

View the brief kids' You Tube video "Falling Leaves Meditation-Guided Visualization for Kids" from Simply Successful Program (2017) to see what guided visualization is all about.  View here:
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&p=falling+leaves+guided+meditation-visualization+for+kids+youtube#id=1&vid=f7588a88d953ab699ce9e666ad23a069&action=click