Lectio Divina

I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4: 4

Joy, feasting and laughter abound during the holidays. Families gather together, relationships are renewed, and children eagerly anticipate what gifts they'll find under the tree.

It is also a time of increasingly self-focused behavior. What we once devoted to prayer and study dwindles, being replaced by holiday preparations. Decorations, parties and the holiday ham take up more time than we'd like to admit.

I encourage each of us to remember the importance of remaining grounded in the Word during this joy filled season. Below is a systematic method of Biblical study called Lectio Divina, which will help you to improve the consistency and quality of your quiet times. While it is intended to be a one hour study, do it for thirty minutes if that's all you have. Try it for a week and see how it works.

Lectio Divina: Latin for divine reading. A traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge or God’s Word. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray and even sing and rejoice from God’s Word, within the soul. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectio_Divina

Four Steps (1 hour)
1. Lectio: Reading
Read passage slowly several times.
Write down words that stand out to you.
2. Meditatio: Meditation
Consider the meaning of the passage as a whole.
Consider the meaning of the words noted
Consider what the Holy Spirit is teaching you.
3. Oratio: Prayer
Communicate with God the things you have learned in the passage.
Ask for wisdom
Praise for revelation
4. Contemplatio: Contemplation
Praise
How does it apply to your life?