i know – what? its an impressive phrase, but its a VERY simple devotional method, something i started hearing about when we moved to seminary. but its SO easy to follow. Lectio divina is an old-school method of interacting with the scriptures, and started way back in the day before Oz gave us “My Utmost for His Highest.” It literally means “spiritual reading.” its all about reading the scripture in an intense and meaningful way.
How do you “do” lectio divina?
- READ: Read deeply – read fully – let your imagination wrap around the words. read for insight and discovery. pay attention to what grabs you.
- THINK: Seriously – give it time to soak into your head… meditate on what you’ve read. think through it. let your mind consider the ins and outs of the passage. again, pay attention to what sticks out to you.
- PRAY: talk to God about what He’s saying to you through this reading. tell Him what grabbed your attention. ask Him how you should apply it to your life.
- LIVE: don’t just be a hearer, be a DOER. apply the truths and revelations of the passage to your life.
so, what do you do when you study the scriptures? do you follow a pattern? do you use a bible study? what are the tools you use?
for more: Tony Morgan’s “Read, Think, Pray, Live”
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Mind if I rip your four points to my site? That’s the most concise list I’ve seen for what it means. And yeah, it’s a really meaningful way to let some of those things work to stir us up as we read. For me, no more “let’s do today’s reading”. I’m more into this where I can simmer on a passage/thought for days/weeks.
There we go. Very good post. And very much needed. So thank you Mandy. Most of them I already do–either through a Bible study or through cross-referencing when I’m writing or when I just feel the urge to pick up The Book and find something because I sense that it’s calling my name.
But prayer I don’t do nearly enough. Or maybe, just maybe, once WAS enough. I don’t really know. I remember once asking God for wisdom. And asking in earnest. Well, if you’ve read my Essays you just might say that I am wise. Some people do say that. Really doesn’t matter what people say, though. But if the price of wisdom is far above rubies, I do suppose I have paid dearly.
I guess it’s my hunger that guides me. For though I “see but through a glass darkly,” the Image keeps getting just a little more clearer, just a little more sharper.
Well, in any case, I certainly love the “lectio divina” idea. And I’m definitely going to keep that in mind…Hopefully for the rest of my days.
Thanks again.
Isn’t lectio divina also a “clearing of the mind”?
I tend to read based on a thematic set of stuff in my noggin.
I’ve been reading lots of Romans lately. I just read, and make notes- driving home points, or scribbling questions in my bible, et cetera.
Christina: yeah. i think so, in the sense that we are to focus on the scripture and what it tells us, and also in the final stage, where we simply meditate. check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectio_Divina
or other more “informative” sites!
Your question made me laugh at myself. My process for Bible Study (unless I am doing a Beth Moore study, then I just do what I am told) I flip through until I find something that grabs my interest and then I read until something slaps me upside the head and then I pray and beg God to make me better. That is how it happens most often.
Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I cry but I just read til I am touched, one way or the other. Not very scientific and somedays I do have to give up and just pray because I am too hard to be touched but He is faithful and will feed me one way or the other. Loved this post! I like that it isn’t a formula and everything important is included.
I did a study on biblical meditation once and the actual meaning of that word is “to mumble out loud”. As soon as I learned that I was automatically given an image of jewish people praying at the wailing wall. They recite scriptures back to God. That to me is meditating on God’s Word. So I try I recite as much scriptures into my prayer time as I can – giving it all back to the One who wrote them. It’s quite an awesome experience.
Christina: i like this idea of giving back to God what He’s given us…. definitely.
I enjoyed doing Lectio Divina with my youth back in Macon, GA. It was amazing hearing God speak to each of them individually but then seeing themes come out among the group. That makes it sound super spiritual, but mainly it was straightforward reflection on God’s word. Looking back makes it probably cooler than it was at the time, but that’s hindsight… right?
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