At times used during Space for God...
We talk about scripture. We often study it. Yet, Scripture is ultimately about a relationship. Scripture is the spoken word of Someone with whom we share an intimate relationship. Scripture are God’s words to us.
When a good friend advises, encourages, or challenges you take those words to heart. We can do so in a similar way with God.
Lectio Divina (lex-ee-oh dih-vee-nu). Is a Latin term for divine reading. It is a way of listening to God that has been practiced by some of the early Christian fathers and mothers.
FOR CONSIDERATION
- Lectio is a way of looking at the Bible to hear God’s voice to us. You’re not analyzing scripture. Try to get out of your head and into your heart. Scripture study is important, but this is different.
- It’s a way of encountering God in a very deep way. It’s different than prayer that’s formal, wordy, one sided. You don’t need formal knowledge for Lectio. The only thing you need is a willingness and desire to hear God’s voice.
- This process will transform your life and relationship with God. It can pull you out of the routine in your relationship with God.
GROUP PROCESS
1. Prepare your heart. Sit quietly for a moment. Stay alert. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing, and then center you heart on God. If you get distracted, just come on back to your focus on God.
2. First stage reading. Read the passage twice out loud. Listen for a key word or phrase from the passage that gets your attention. Don’t question it. Even if the word seems odd. Just see what jumps out at you. Repeat that word to yourself during a one-minute silence. When the leader gives the signal, say aloud to everyone that word or brief phrase. No more. No interpretations.
3. Second stage reading. Have someone else read the passage. During this reading, listen to how this passage touches your life. What’ your initial impression of this word or phrase? Think about this for about 2 minutes of silence. When the leader gives the signal, share with the larger group.
4. Third stage reading. Someone else now reads the passage for the final time. Listen to a possible invitation from God that He is giving you for the next few days during a few minutes of silence. This invitation may be something specific God is asking you to do to fully embrace and live out his message to you. Share with group.
5. Pray. Pray silently or aloud for God to help the person on your right to respond to the invitation received.
NOTES
Lectio Divina is to be used on very short passages, 2 – 10 verses. No more than that. Certainly, you can use aspects of Lectio Divina if you are reading longer passages, and you do not need to read short passages to hear God in your heart. Lectio Divina is just one way of listening. There are others that can be equally as helpful.
Here are some sample passages: Luke 5:4-7; Psalm 23:2; Psalm 22:1-2; Psalm 42:1-3; Mark 10:47-48; Psalm 13, Isaiah 55:10-12a; Psalm 46; Colossians 3:14-16; Philippians 4:5-8
INDIVIDUAL LECTIO
You can do the same thing by yourself. Follow the general outline above:
1. Take a moment to be silent and prepare your heart to hear God.
2. Read the key passage twice, listening to a word or phrase that jumps out at you. Ponder that word for a couple of minutes,
3. Read the passage again. Listen for some greater meaning of the word or phrase.
4. Read the passage one more time. Listen for God’s invitation to you over a few minutes of silence.
5. Pray.
Note – Between each reading, it is helpful to sit in silence for at least a few minutes. Part of the healing and connection that comes with God occurs during the silence.
Helpful resource for these notes – Gathered in the Word, Norvene Vest
