Practicing Lectio Divina as a Group
History of Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina (‘
Sacred Reading’
) is an ancient method of Bible study,practiced at one time by nearly all Christians. Falling out of popular useduring the Protestant Reformation, Lectio Divina has been kept alivethrough the Christian monastic movement. Traditional Lectio Divinainvolves four phases: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.These four movements date back to the 12
th
century when Guigo II, aCarthusian monk, wrote a book entitled
The Monk’s Ladder
. In his book,Guigo II laid out his four ‘rungs’ which are like a ladder lifting one upfrom earth to heaven as one proceeds through the four movements of Lectio Divina.
Purpose
To enter deeply into God’s presence as a group by reading, meditating,praying, and contemplating the Scriptures together.
PracticePreparation
o
Choose a passage of Scripture to read –
The group mayrandomly choose a passage of Scripture each time you gather,youmay methodically work through a book of the Bible together, oryou may choose passages based on themes that the group wishesto cover– choose what works best for the needs of your group.
o
Find a quiet place
–This should be a place without distractionswhere each person can be comfortable. Allow each person to usepostures (sitting, standing, kneeling, etc.) that best prepares themto experience God’s presence.
o
Prayer
–Choose someone to ask the Holy Spirit to help the grouplet go of any worries, tensions, etc. that anyone may have and thateach person may fully enter into the manifest presence of God.
First Reading
Choose an individual to slowly read the selected passage of Scripturealoud twice. During the first reading, each person should be listening for aword or phrase that catches their attention. Each person should choose aword or phrase from the reading that says, “
I am for you today
.” After thepassage has been read twice, allow for 1-2 minutes of silent reflection.During this time of reflection, individuals should reflect on their chosenword or phrase by slowly repeating it. Once individuals have had time toreflect on their chosen word or phrase, allow time for each person to sharetheir chosen word or phrase.
Second Reading
Choose another individual to slowly read the same selected passage aloudtwo more times. After the passage has been read twice, allow for 2-3minutes of silent reflection. During this time of reflection, individualsshould reflect on the question, “
What does the word or phrase you havechosen mean to you today?
” Once individuals have had time to reflect onthe question, allow time for each person to share briefly.
Third Reading
Choose another individual to slowly read the same selected passage twomore times aloud. After the passage has been read twice, allow for 2-3minutes of silent reflection. During this time of reflection, individualsshould reflect on the following question, “
What is God calling you to door be as a result of this word or phrase?”
Once individuals have had timeto reflect on the question, allow time for each person to share at greaterlength the results of their reflections.
Prayer
Thank God for each person’s reflections and that they would be broughtinto a deeper relationship with Christ through this experience.
Journaling Pages
Provide each group member with a
Practicing Lectio Divina as a Group
journaling page so that they make take notes during the readings,reflections, and times of sharing. To conclude the group meeting you maywant to offer a time for group members to share notes that they took during the meeting.
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