Lectio Divina
The truth contained in the Scriptures is never less than facts or concepts, but it is so much more.
Facts and concepts are important, but the mere recognition of new information doesn’t necessarily lead to a changed life. You know this because you have seen it. The gaining of information, as an end in itself, tends to contribute to pride, more than change (1 Corinthians 8:1).
Information surrounds you. The growth in the volume of information is exponential and it shows no signs of slowing. But when it comes to God, what you need is not necessarily more information- but more savouring of what is in front of you.
One word used for this kind of savouring of truth is the word meditate.
Meditation on biblical truth (Psalm 1) goes beyond understanding to savouring and nourishing oneself with the truth that the mind knows.
God is not a computer. He is relational by nature (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and when He speaks to humanity, He does so relationally.
So, when He speaks we need to be careful that we don’t respond overconfidently by thinking or saying that we know what He is talking about – because we don’t always know as we ought to know (1 Corinthians 8:2). We need to slow down and listen.
God has been a talker from the very beginning. He created the world with words and He created people who could be in relationship with Him. God speaks to us so that we would know both Him and ourselves. Like our speaking, His speaking is about relationship. God’s speaking to us is always personal and we do well when we receive it as a personal message from a personal God.
One method of slowing down and listening to God is lectio divina. This is Richard Foster’s explanation of what it is:
Lectio is a way of allowing the mind to "descend" into the heart, so that both mind and heart might be drawn into the love and goodness of God. Our goal is immersion …. In its classic form, lectio comprises four elements, although there are many variations on them with different wording and emphasis: lectio (reading with a listening spirit), meditatio (reflecting on what we are "hearing"), oratio (praying in response to this hearing), and contemplatio (contemplating what we will carry forward into our lives). [We can also] refer to these basic elements of lectio as listening, reflecting, praying, and obeying. When these elements are combined—regardless of sequence, for they overlap and intermingle in a circular rather than a linear way—they lead the human spirit into a dynamic interaction with the Holy Spirit. (Peterson 2014, 77-78)
As we share some articles on identity (you will recognise these by their “Lection Divina” button at the bottom) you will find a key scripture passage, some thoughts, some questions for contemplation, and some questions for application.
Here are some thoughts about each of those sections:
1. Lectio (reading with a listening spirit): The Scripture passage - If you have time, I would encourage you to read more of the context before and after the suggested passage. Read it slowly. Read it like you would a letter from a dear friend. Spend some time thinking about what you have read in the passage before you move on to reading the article.
Thoughts: these are not exhaustive and are not necessarily an exposition of the passage but are intended to get you thinking about a significant aspect of the passage.
2. Meditatio (reflecting on what we are “hearing”): Meditation (or contemplation) is the bridge between Bible study and prayer (Keller 2014, 146). We are prone to a task-driven, concept-heavy approach to the truth of Scripture. Meditation provides us the opportunity to savour the goodness of God and to warm our hearts with the truths we have learnt about God (Reinke 2014). True knowledge is a result of the interplay between the knowledge of God and the knowledge of self (Calvin and Beveridge 1845, 47). Meditation stirs our hearts with the knowledge of God.
Take your time in this section. There is much truth to be savoured. If you just read them for information you will miss the profundity and richness that awaits you. The heart is made up of the mind the will and the emotions; this course aims to see each of these areas impacted and changed by God. Take your time so that the penny can drop.
3. Oratio (praying in response to this hearing): The scriptures are God’s personal message to you, and prayer is how you talk to Him. In this time, have a conversation with Him alongside an open Bible.
Tell Him what you are learning, what you like about Him, what you enjoy, what is a burden. Speak to Him from your heart (Psalm 62:8).
4. Contemplatio (contemplating what we will carry forward into our lives): this section aims to encourage you to think through what you can change, in response to who God is. It is the practical outworking of God’s ministry to you.