Introductory Note:
This selective, topical index is designed to help readers get a picture of the with-God life presented in the Bible and the role of the Spiritual Disciplines in fostering that kind of life toward its fullness. The passages listed either contain a specific reference to a topic serving as a discipline (e.g., the word “meditation”) or are about that topic without using the specific term. Because this index is selective, it does not list every passage in the Bible on each topic, and the entries are restricted to the topic’s role as a Spiritual Discipline. Some of the entries are negative examples of the practice of a particular discipline.
The list of disciplines chosen for this index also does not include every practice or situation that could actually serve as a discipline in the process of spiritual formation. The disciplines under consideration here include celebration, chastity, confession, fasting, fellowship, guidance, meditation, prayer, sacrifice, secrecy, service, silence, simplicity/frugality, solitude, study, submission, and worship. Since the central focus of Christian spiritual formation is the with-God life, that topic begins the index. It is followed by sections containing scriptural references for the various disciplines, in alphabetical order. Those references for which there are spiritual formation exercises are designated by an asterisk.
No doubt some passages may have been omitted that might be very useful for understanding spiritual formation. What is given here is intended to provide only a substantial introduction to the presence and importance of Spiritual Disciplines in the Bible. For further study on disciplines and how they are to be practiced, please see Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, and Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines.
We are releasing this Bible in two editions—with and without the Deuterocanonial Books. (See the Foreword for a general statement.) In the Spiritual Disciplines Index, you will see some references to passages in the Deuterocanonial Books. These references will be in italics to differentiate their status from the New and the Old Testaments.r
Renovaré Team
Excerpt from Life with God Spiritual Formation Bible
MEDITATION: Prayerful rumination upon God, his Word, and his world.
*Gen 24:63 Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field.
*Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night.
*Job 15:4 But you are doing away with the fear of God, and hindering meditation before God.
Ps 1:2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.
*Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you.
Ps 63:6 I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.
Ps 77:6 I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit.
*Ps 77:12 I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds.
*Ps 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways.
*Ps 119:23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
*Ps 119:27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
*Ps 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long.
*Ps 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation.
*Ps 119:148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
Ps 143:5 I think about all your deeds, I meditate on the works of your hands.
Ps 145:5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
*Isa 1:26 And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning.
*Wisd of Sol 12:22 When we judge, we may meditate upon your goodness, and when we are judged, we may expect mercy.
*Sir 6:37 Reflect on the statutes of the Lord, and meditate at all times on his commandments.
Sir 14:20 Happy is the person who meditates on wisdom and reasons intelligently.
*Sir 39:7 The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, as he meditates on his mysteries.
Phil 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, … if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
*Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
1 Tim 4:15 Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Heb 3:1 – 2 Consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him.
Heb 12:2 – 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
Excerpted from the Life with God Bible (New Revised Standard Version), with special thanks to HarperOne and to the late Dallas Willard who compiled the Index.
