Lectio Divina

For the past month or so we have talked about what it means to live an "authentic life" and how we must grow in our relationship with God in order for the barriers to authenticity to fall. This past week's lesson focused on God's word and the ancient practice of Lectio Divina.

My first experience with Lectio Divina was a few years ago in a Companions in Christ bible study we had at Madison Baptist. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes to something I had never experienced before. Until that day, I had read the Bible like I would any other non-fiction book. It was informational… I read right through verses taking very few pauses to reflect on what I read. But Lectio Divina is different... here's why:

In Companions in Christ, one of the first things we talked about in regards to scripture was that you can read it in two primary ways:

1. Informational – What do I need to know in order to hear what the ancient author was saying to the people then? What truth(s) does this passage convey about God, people, and Christian faith and life?
2. Formational – Where does this passage invite me to go deeper, and why? Where does God address my life in this passage? What is God saying to me/us? How am I called to respond to God in prayer, change, or action?

Lectio Divina is almost entirely formational and is described as "a slow, contemplative praying of Scripture, which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. It is formational because the reader begins to form himself around the purpose and the will of God.

I would encourage you to complete the Scripture exercise we completed in class. Read
Philippians 2:1-11 all the way through four separate times.

Each time you will be reading with a different purpose in mind. See a description of the process from the site www.rca.org below:

1. Reading (Lectio): Slowly read the passage of scripture being alert to any word or phrase that attracts your attention.

2. Reflecting (Meditatio): Read the passage again and reflect on the meaning of your word or phrase. Enter into dialogue with this portion of the scripture. As your phrase engages you what memories, images, feelings, thoughts or connections with other passages arise for you?

3. Responding (Oratio): Read the passage again and as you continue to linger over this word or phrase what invitation is God calling you to? How does your heart respond, in joy, expectation, sorrow, or confession? Allow your experience to be voiced to God in prayer.

4. Resting /Receiving (Contemplatio): Read the passage one final time and remain quiet in God's presence Do not try to force any lesson or insight from God. It may come; simply rest gently in God's arms.