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Bible meditation as a community
David Flowers gave an introduction to Silence and Meditation at Weekly Worship in September 07. He described Lectio Divina (holy reading) and here is an idea for a way we could perhaps record some of our experiences of bible meditation online as a community, using the web forums.
As a community
Inspired by the dream community in Liverpool we wondered if our web forums might be useful as a way of doing bible meditation as a community. To give it a go, a passage of scripture is set (for say a week) and people take time to meditate upon it. The forum allows us to comment on the part of the bible passage we settled on during meditation, what came to mind as we meditated and what God is saying to us through it.
To get us started, if you participated in the short bible meditation at Weekly Worship on 16th September, why not record something of your experience in the first thread in the forum.
Lectio Divina
 Lectio Divina (Holy Reading) is an ancient Christian bible meditation practice which is enjoying a revival in a very diverse set of Christian communities. In its original form, there is preparation followed by four stages of meditation:
- preparation. Get comfortable. Begin with a few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you.
- lectio (reading). Read the passage several times slowly. This reading is very different from the speed reading which we usually use for newspapers, books and even the Bible. Lectio is reverential listening; listening both in a spirit of silence and of awe. Listen for the still, small voice of God that will speak to you personally – not loudly, but intimately.
- meditatio (meditation) Focus on one phrase or word that seems to stick out to you. Repeat it gently to yourself, and allow it to become God’s word for you.
- oratio (prayer) Respond to the passage by opening your heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more the beginning of a conversation with God. God invites you to be real, to hold up your most difficult and pain-filled experiences to him, and to gently recite over them the healing word or phrase he has given you in the lectio and meditatio.
- contemplatio (contemplation). Listen to God. Open your mind and heart to the influence of God. There are moments in all loving relationships when words are unnecessary, and it is the same in your relationship with God. Once again, practice silence – let go of your own words and simply enjoy the experience of being in the presence of God, the One who loves you.
For more background and guidelines, you can read a more detailed practical introduction to lectio divina for private and group use from the Catholic tradition or, from within Wharfedale Vineyard, a Minicab interpretation of lectio divina in contemporary language, suitable for all ages, and an article about art-based bible meditation by Julia Cameron.
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David Wallace, 16/09/2007 |
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 | | Shirley Twissell | 05/09/2009 12:50 | I don't recall being at this service...........but it was two years ago.......any chance of a revisit to this thene of contemplative prayer?
| | | | David Flowers | 05/09/2009 14:56 | Here is the passage we are looking at on Sunday 6 September. It is a repeating description of God throughout scripture. In fact Jonah complains that because he knows God is like this he did not seek to turn the sinful people of Nineveh away from their headlong rush toward God's punishment.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate
Slow to anger and rich in love
The Lord is good to all
He has compassion on all he has made.
Psalm 145:8,9
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