Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for spiritual growth. Rooted in ancient monasticism, the practice is a fourfold cycle: Reading, Meditation, Prayer, and Contemplation. In fact, the term itself means "sacred reading."
Reading. Lectio divina begins with a "text," whether that is the Bible, a spiritual classic, something in nature, or even another person. You must "take up and read." But the reading is not done to acquire knowledge or information, to master the text. Reading is done slowly, focusing on words and connections. In lectio divina, we are seeking to let the text master us.
I read through the Bible, a practice known as lectio continua, during my devotional times. I used to read for information, and to get through a certain amount (say, four chapters every day), but now I read slowly, taking at most a chapter each day. As I read, I listen for how the Word of God is addressing me.
Meditation. Meditation is focused thought. In lectio divina, we are neither letting our mind run wild with thoughts nor letting it empty of all thoughts. Instead, we concentrate our focus on the words of the text, thinking about each one. Let each word resonate within you.
Think of the meditation phase as though it were tea steeping. You are the hot water, and the tea bag is the Bible. As the tea bag steeps (reading), flavor is diffused throughout the hot water. This is meditation. It is the slow, simmering period where we digest the text and gain insight.
Prayer. The prayer phase takes the fruit of our meditation and offers it back to God. Perhaps a text led us to joy because of the gifts of God, or maybe a passage exposed sin in our lives and the need for repentance. Prayer is when we offer these insights back to God.
Contemplation. Contemplation is the act of sitting in the presence of God with total attention and concentration on God. After a time of prayer, we just sit with God.
If you preach or teach, you should use lectio divina as part of your preparation. Sit with the text away from analysis and exegesis, and let God speak to you through his word. A sermon or class could follow this four-part cycle.
For a sermon, the preacher could read the passage, describe the paths he or she explored during meditation and the insights found, and offer a prayer to God based on the meditation. After, there could be a congregational period of silence for contemplation.
When I teach, I often use lectio divina as an outline. I read the passage from my Bible and ask two or three others to read the same passage, but from different translations. Then I help the class to "meditate": I ask what words or images struck them from the reading, what they noticed or didn't noticed, what feelings they had as they read, or what was most surprising in the text. We follow these threads, learning from each other, and then conclude with prayer.
Lectio divina is a very helpful discipline for spiritual growth. If the reader practices lectio divina often, she will begin to plumb the depths of her soul and her relationship with God. The single greatest facet of lectio divina is its ability to create a mindset that can actually listen to and for God.
Jeremy M. Hoover is a part-time minister and writes full-time in Windsor, Ontario. visit his website to learn how he supports his writing with an online business. Read more of Jeremy's writing at his blog, visit his website
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..THE PREMISEFeng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that has... Read More
I have discovered as I grow older in Christ Jesus... Read More
The dictionary defines the word forgive as: [to pardon, as... Read More
Let me say that marketing can be a corrupting experience.... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
The time has come for the mass population on Earth... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
WHAT IS E.V.P.?EVP stands for electronic voice phenomena, some believe... Read More
About a month ago I opened up my bible in... Read More
There is an inherent generosity in the human spirit to... Read More
Among those arriving to the stadium early were two old... Read More
In your quest for enlightenment, always ask what's in it... Read More
Each time our children graduate from one stage to another... Read More
Being critical of Buddhism isn't easy.Buddhism is the most likable... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
I am not enlightened, and yet,... Read More
We are apart of all that is, our consciousness spring... Read More
1. Raphael means "God heals." Raphael heals physical, emotional and... Read More
We all have spirit guides and we all benefit from... Read More
The word "gravity" is a word coined by Sir Isaac... Read More
Carl Jung, 20th century psycho analyst and dream researcher, said:... Read More
The word means different things to different people. Is it... Read More
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, "Thou shalt love the... Read More
For it is written in Bible in chapter 2 Peter... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein .."All you who are thirsty, come and drink." ISAIAH 55:1,... Read More
No one appreciates mothers enough. In this life, that's a... Read More
Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
We all need space, we all need time to ourselves.In... Read More
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
Everything in the entire universe, big and small, visible and... Read More
An analysis of Western man's guiding presuppositions, A Review of... Read More
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA: Of course we may never know the real... Read More
What really binds us to any negative emotional state in... Read More
forgiveness stories quotes definition and loveForgiveness is that quality in... Read More
Dreams take us not into ourselves, but out of ourselves.... Read More
I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just... Read More
My name is Had. You may know me, but you... Read More
Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More
The still place is the beginning. Settle in there, ask... Read More
In my life, I have tried... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
The magic of the tarot was obvious to me the... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
Among those arriving to the stadium early were two old... Read More
In our fast paced society we often want everything done... Read More
For some of us, spirituality is considered a religion, and... Read More
The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest... Read More
Spirituality |