It sounds fancy with its Latin words, which literally means “Divine reading” but really it just means a thoughtful, slow reading of a passage from the Bible. It combines meditation with reading. “Lectio divina is a traditional Benedictine practice of Scripture reading, established in the 6th century, which treats the Bible not as a text to be dissected, but as the living Word of God spoken anew to us.”[i]
One of the problems we have with reading the Bible is that we read for information only, rather than reading for greater understanding and transformation. Because what we read can mess with our carefully planned out lives we like to keep God’s words to us stored tightly in the intellect, rather than allowing it to reach our heart and change us.
I don’t know about you, but I was often so quick to do my daily reading, check off the box and move on to the next thing. I know that for different stages of life, time is often a scarce resource and we have to make do with what we have. So, any reading is better than none!
But a habit of reading quickly and checking it off the list, is like fast food scarfed down in a hurry, while Lectio Divina style reading is more like sitting down for a long leisurely nourishing meal.
This style of reading is devotional rather than a study of the passage. There is not the place to look up words in the original language or anything like that. It involves sitting with the words in the presence of God and asking Him to speak to you. Very often in a group setting everyone will have different things they felt God was telling them from the same passage. It is a very personal way to read the Bible. I have heard it explained as not so much reading the text but rather allowing the text to read us. Eugene Peterson puts it, lectio divina leads to the “fusion” of my story and Christ’s story.[ii]
An analogy which you may find helpful to describe this way of contemplating Scripture is Baron von Hugel’s comparison of lectio divina as “letting a very slowly dissolving lozenge melt imperceptibly in your mouth.” We take in the words, ponder them, allow them to shift our perspective, and discover how it informs our daily living.
STEPS
1. Start by settling into your chair. Close your eyes and take a couple of long deep breaths. Ask God to speak to you through His words. Open your mind to what He has to say to you.
2. Read the passage of Scripture over three times slowly (it is preferable for someone else to read out loud to you, so you can just listen. If you are doing this alone, still read out loud if you can.)
3. The first time through, consider what the words are saying to you, how they make you feel.
4. Read the passage a second time and listen for a word or a phrase that stands out to you - something that captures your attention.
5. Pause and sit with that word for a minute or two. Ask God why that phrase is for you today.
6. During the third reading, listen to see if there is something God is asking you to do or consider or relinquish. Is there an invitation in the words? Or perhaps God will give you a picture that is meaningful.
7. Pray a response to God. Take time to journal about what you sensed God saying to you.
For further information you can go watch my YouTube video here.
More resources at: -- (anglicancommunion.org)
[i] Meeting God in Scripture - Renovare
[ii]Relearning Our Story - Chris Hall - Renovare
Photos: Dayne Topkin and Ben White via Unsplash