Lectio Divina, which means Divine Reading, is a practice to slow down and meditate on the Scripture.
This simple structure helps us to approach the Bible not just with our minds but with our hearts and souls also. As we do this, we learn how to slow down and connect with Jesus as well as with each other.
This practice consists of slowly and prayerfully reading and re-reading a passage of Scripture and reflecting on a question after each of the three readings. We use an acronym from Pete Grieg’s great book called How to Hear God, where he’s adapted his P.R.A.Y model into a good flow for this practice.
Pause
Take some time to quietly prepare your heart. You may want to start with a couple deep breaths and focus on the presence of God.
Read and Reflect
Read the scripture once.
Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you during the first reading.
Without adding explanations, simply share the word or phrase that stood out to you with the group.
Read and Reflect
Read the scripture again.
As you listen again, what do you feel? What specific situation in your life today relates?
Ask
Turn your reflections into prayer, telling God what you feel or what situation came to mind.
Take turns sharing short prayers within your group.
Yield
Read the scripture one more time and then sit for a minute or two in silence.
As we listen to Jesus in stillness, what is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture?
Write down what the Lord may be saying.
Suggested Scriptures
Google “Lectio Divina scriptures” for more ideas.
- “Help for Discouraged Leaders” (1 Samuel 30:1-6): David finds strength in the Lord when his men turn on him at Ziklag.
- “Surrounded By Angels” (2 Kings 6:8-17): Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened to see the spiritual Kingdom of God.
- “Two Ways to Live and Lead” (Psalm 1): Going your own way vs. listening to God.
- “The Dark Night” (Psalm 13): Take heart from David in a Dark Night of the Soul or other times of trial.
- “Baptized in Christ” (Matthew 3:13-17): In Christ, the heavens are opened to us as they were to Jesus at his baptism: “You are my beloved child and in you, I am well pleased.” And the Spirit remains on us!
- “Jesus’ Easy Yoke For You” (Matthew 11:25-30): Learn to live and work in Jesus’ unforced rhythms of grace.
- “Jesus’ Glory in a Small Group” (Matthew 17:1-13): Christ our Lord shows us how to be a spiritual formation group.
- “See Jesus Seeing You” (Mark 1:14-20): As with his first disciples, Jesus sees you and calls, “Come, follow me.”
- “Peace! Be Still” (Mark 4:35-41): With Christ, we can be at peace — even before he calms the storm with a word!
- “Receiving God’s Word” (Luke 1:26-38): Mary’s great prayer of submission. (Especially good for Advent.)
- “Failure and Faith” (Luke 22:24-34): As with Peter, we all fail at times. The key is Jesus’ prayer for us that our faith in God not fail. (Especially good for Lent.)
- “Join the Father’s Work” (John 5:1-20): Jesus heals the invalid at the Sheep Gate Pool.
- “The Radiant Son of God” (Hebrews 1:1-4): Captivate your heart with Christ to let him shine out from you to others.*
- “Riveted by Jesus in his Glory” (Revelation 1:9-19) Jesus appears in a vision, shining forth like the sun in his divine glory.