Moving toward God through intentional practice

The practices we keep in life shape and form us along the way. Being intentional about those practices allows us to hold agency over who we’re becoming. Without intentionality, we simply drift in whatever direction the winds of our world want to take us. We’re choosing to engage in spiritual practices that enable us to be and become the men, women and children God designed us to be. 

Spiritual practices are:

“Habits, practices, and experiences that are designed to develop, grow, and strengthen certain qualities of spirit - to build the “muscles” of one’s character and expand the breadth of one’s inner life. They structure the “workouts” which train the soul.” 

~ Richard Foster

Every other month, we’ll focus on one spiritual practice intended to shape and form us in God’s image …

Lectio Divina

July/August 2025

Lectio Divina (divine reading) | Listening to God through scripture

Sometimes we read scripture and sometimes scripture reads us. Both are good for our souls. What if there were a way to do both in one exercise? You guessed it!.That’s what we’re attempting to do with this habit!

Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates back to the early centuries of the Christian Church and was established as a monastic practice by Benedict in the 6th century. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s word. We slow down. We read a short passage more than once. We chew it over slowly and carefully. We savor it. Scripture begins to speak to us in a new way. It speaks to us personally, and draws us closer to God.

With Lectio, it’s important to set aside the posture of approaching scripture for study. Instead of diving deep into a passage’s context, its parallels and intended meaning, we approach scripture with open hands - inviting the Spirit to show us whatever He wants to speak through the passage.

We would love to have you join us these two months as our entire church family practices Lectio Divina together.

Practice

  1. Note. Lectio can be done individually or in a group. Ideally, you would have someone else reading the passage aloud for you so you can simply focus on listening. If you’re alone, consider using a bible app.

  2. Choose a passage. With Lectio, just about any passage will work. Perhaps focus on a passage you’re not familiar with. If you’re stuck here, consider starting with something out of the Psalms or gospels.

  3. First reading. Close your eyes if you like. Take some long deep breaths. This will allow you to be attentive to the movement of the Holy Spirit. As the passage is read, listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you – and touches your heart. Use the silence that follows to take in that word or phrase. Ponder it. Pause.

  4. Second reading. Hold the word or phrase in your mind and ask where God is using it to touch your life right now. Maybe a memory or feeling comes up for you. What does God have to say to you? Pause.

  5. Final reading. In this last reading, consider what response God is inviting in you through the word or phrase. It may be an action, an inner decision, a new awareness or a spark of creative inspiration. Pause. Silently talk with God about that invitation.

  6. Rest. As we close this time of divine reading, spend some time resting quietly in God. You might feel inspired to use a few words, but at this time, words are not necessary. Contemplative prayer gives us space to just be present with God and allow God to be present with us.

Tell your story - don’t forget to tell others how it’s going.