Lectio Divina

Introduction:

Lectio Divina is Latin for “Divine Reading”

It is a combination of Biblical Reading, Spiritual Meditation and Prayer. The goal of this discipline is not a greater theological understanding of the word of God but a personal deep spiritual connection to His scripture. I firmly hold to the thought that we hear the voice of God from an open Bible and Lectio Divina when practiced can be a powerful spiritual device that can spur our roots to grow deeper.

I would like you to leave from here tonight with another spiritual tool to turn to in your private prayer life, one that takes God’s word and moves you to meditate on it so that you will be blessed.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

There are 4 positions in lectio divina.

Lectio: Reading - We will read the passage several times, each time paying deeper attention to the words, how they work with one another, how each word weighs one one another and on the passage as a whole, how it weighs on you personally. It is during this time that we land on a word or a phrase, one that seems to stick to you, underline that word or write it down

Mediato: Meditate - Take time to fully allow that word or phrase to develop in you, why this word, what does this word mean, where have I heard this today or seen this today, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you in this momment, don’t worry about distractions, instead allow the distraction to further develop in you this word or phrase. Allow it to come very personal, what is it this word says about you, about your life situation, about God.

Oratio: Prayer - Spend some time talking to God about what he has revealed in you in this momment, ask him to continue to use this momment to grow and cultivate these revelations, to grow you to become a better disciple of Jesus and member of his Church.

Contemplatio: Contemplate

Practical:

I will guide you now through this practice of Lectio Divina.

We will begin by become still. Find a comfortable position, one that will not distract you.

Lectio:

Romans 6:5–9 ESV

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.