When
it comes to our faith, there it is not surprising that the Bible and Bible
reading is at the top of the list for us to grow. Christians are known for studying the Bible,
examining it, looking at the original languages, debating it’s
authenticity. But knowledge alone is not
what helps us grow spiritually.
In his preface to the 52 Standard Sermons, John
Wesley set down his understanding of the implications and power of time in the
Bible.
“At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge
enough for me. Let me be ‘a man of one
book.’ Here then I am, far from the busy
ways of men. I sit down alone: only God
is here. In His presence I open, I read
this book; for this end, to the find the way to heaven.”
“The
Bible is a means of grace insofar as it enhances our awareness of God’s
presence, purpose, and power in our lives (pg 54, Exploring the Way).”
For
that type of reading to take place we need to add to our desire for knowledge,
an equally passionate desire to know God and be known by God. This means we don’t read the Bible merely for
information but with a desire for transformation, to become more like Jesus
Christ, to become children of God.
To
read the Bible in this way, we can go back to the Jewish roots and heritage of
our faith. Nowhere is it more evident
than in the opening verses of the Psalms where we find these words, “Happy are
those who…delight…in the law of the Lord and on his law they meditate night and
day.”
In the
sixth century we find the work of Benedict and Pope Gregory, refining and
clarifying for Christians, the approach to Bible Reading known as Lectio
Divina. Gregory is credited with
comparing the Scriptures to a river or lake or ocean where it is, “…broad and
deep, shallow enough here for the lamb to go wading but deep enough for the
elephant to swim” (ETW and Soul Tending).
Think
about it. How can we teach the same
story about Daniel in the Lion’s Den at Vacation Bible School and then turn
around explore it in theological education and it have equal impact? Or consider our growth in grace – that
someone at the level of convicting grace can find meaning in the same
scriptures as someone who has experienced entire sanctification?
There
is wealth of beauty in the oceans. This
summer I was at Myrtle Beach and I learned to boogie board with my kids. I loved it!
I really have never liked the shallows much until this year. It was a blast and we had a great time. But the shallows are only part of the ocean.
In
Exploring the Way, the shallows are described as information (pg 56-57, ETW)
·What is in the Bible: the stories, history, poems, prophecy, gospels
·What were the writers trying to get across to their readers?
·Where did these works come from? Who wrote them?
·What were the customs and traditions from that day?
·How have these writings shaped theology, doctrine and values of the people?
·What are the lessons and applications for our day?
This
is GOOD STUFF!!! It is important
stuff. This is where we put most of our
emphasis in Seminary, in Bible study, in our lives. But it is only part of the stuff.
You
see, I’m also a certified scuba diver. I
don’t dive as much as I’d like but what I know is that there is so much we
don’t see every day! I’ve swam with a Loggerhead
sea turtle, watched a stingray chase a crab on the ocean floor and played
football with a sea cucumber.
In the
deep we move to look at formation
·We from knowing about God to knowing God
·We move from studying to listening.
·We move from mastering the Bible to allowing it to master us
(B. Mulholland, Shaped by the Word).
·The Bible changes from a telephone book to an actual phone –
from answers to conversation.
William Law, an English clergy who very much influenced John
and Charles Wesley, wrote, “When in reading Scripture you meet with a passage
that seems to give your heart new motion toward God, turn it into the form of a
petition, and give it a place in your prayers (50, Soul Tending).” Think about it. Have you ever had a verse in the Bible
stand-out for you? Did it make you stop
and consider the meaning for you more?
Did you feel the need to sit with it – wrestle with it – have it speak
to you?
Then in part, you've practiced, at least in part, some of
the practice of Lectio Divina. Lectio is
the latin for “reading” and “divina” the latin for “spiritual” or “holy.” Lectio Divina puts into practice what the
writer of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper
than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and
spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. (Heb 4:12)”
Saint Benedict is largely credited with refining the
practice of Lectio Divina and it became widely used in Christianity. Dr. Dwight Judy, Professor of Spiritual
Formation at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary noted that Lectio is the basic form
of The Upper Room devotional and most devotional outlines. Author and Professor Jane Vennard, shares in
her book, “Be Still (pg 72),” one of the most common practiced forms of Lectio:
Read (Lectio): Read aloud a few times, listen for a word or phrase
that stands out.
Reflect (Meditatio): Take that word or phrase and ponder it,
chew it, mull it. What does it say?
Respond (Oratio): How are you led to respond? Worship?
Thanks? Sad?
Rest (Contemplatio): Relax in God's presence. Be patient.
Return (Incarnatio): Movement back into the world to
practice what we've heard/experienced.
Typically, a group of verses chosen would be between
4-8. It is usually a complete paragraph
or story.
Mark 4:35-41 ESV On that
day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the
other side." (36) And leaving the crowd, they took him with
them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. (37)
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat,
so that the boat was already filling.
(38) But he was in the stern,
asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you
not care that we are perishing?"
(39) And he awoke and rebuked the
wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and
there was a great calm. (40) He said to them, "Why are you so afraid?
Have you still no faith?" (41) And they were filled with great fear and said
to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey
him?"
A Visual Form of Lectio is one that I've been working with
lately. Some of us find that in our
world, we “hear” from God in what we see whether that is in art or creation.
This isn't really just for visual learners but anyone. Finding a spiritually inspired work of art would
be the beginning place.
As you
view an image, move through these steps: (Jesus image):
Look (Read): Consider deeply the image and what is being
“said.”
Linger (Reflect): What is the verse or word being given to you?
Led (Respond): How are you being
called to respond?
Lay (Rest): Be in God's presence.
Live (Return): Moving back into the
world with how we've been changed.
Take
time to reflect on the image. As you look at this image, what words come
to your mind? If there are people or a
person in the picture, what might they be saying? Specifically, what
Scripture passage or phrase does the Holy Spirit inspire them to speak to
you? Maybe it is a word or phrase that
inspires you to look up a Scripture.
Certainly, there are those images, icons or symbols that attract us
right of the bat. BUT, we need to
realize that there are also images that don’ attract us or inspire us with joy
or peace that are just as likely to be used by God. You may need to intentionally look in this
direction as well. (Click here for a link to an image to try this practice).
Whatever
that verse or word or phrase, take that as a guide for your prayer through this
coming day. Read or say that verse or phrase out loud if you have time or
space to do so. If not, silently reflect and pray. If it is a full story, consider using more of
Lectio.
BONUS! Here is Martin Luther's advice to his barber (adapted from Be Still, pg 76).
Begin by choosing a Bible passage and then read it through five times.
First time, just hear the words.
Second time, reflect on the immediate teaching found in the passage.
Third, consider the emotion/gratitude that you received in reading.
Fourth, listen for the sin; the correction given for your life and confession.
In the final reading, allow yourself to rest.
Works Cited
Vennard, Jane. Be Still.
Designing and Leading Contemplative Retreats. 156699229 ISBN
Soul Tending. Abingdon Press. 068703079 ISBN
Exploring the Way. Leader’s
Guide. Upper Room Books. 0835898075
ISBN
Mulholland, M. Robert. Shaped By the Word. 083580936 ISBN