Thursday, May 23, 2013

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Scripture for Sunday, April 14, 2013

Acts 9: 1-20

The Conversion of Saul

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’

Scripture for Sunday, April 14, 2013

Acts 9: 1-20

The Conversion of Saul

Saul Preaches in Damascus

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’

Introduction to “Lectio Divina” or Spiritual Reading

What is “Lectio Divina” or Spiritual Reading?

Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of reading Scripture carefully and prayerfully, seeking to hear God’s word for us this day.

What are the movements of this kind of Spiritual Reading?

Traditionally Lectio Divina has four movements:

1. Reading (Lectio) – A careful, prayerful, expectant reading of a brief Biblical text listening for God’s word to us.

2. Reflection (Meditato) – Probing reflection on the text, pondering connections between the text and what is going on in our lives, individually or as a community.

3. Prayer (Oratio) – Sharing with God what we are hearing, and how we are reacting to what we have heard, lifting up questions, requests, concerns, or joys that grow out of the text.

4. Resting and Waiting (Contemplatio) – Resting in God’s presence and seeking to perceive God’s leading, patiently waiting for insight into what is God asking us to do or be.

What is the difference between spiritual reading and a more academic study of the Bible?

Spiritual reading and the academic study of the Bible are two different ways of seeking God’s guidance through Scripture. Both are important, and these two different methods can complement each other. The academic study of the Bible seeks to hear God’s voice by paying attention to issues such as the historical and literary context of a particular passage, theological doctrines or teachings growing out of the text, and the intent and situation of the original author. Spiritual reading seeks to hear God’s voice by paying attention to the movement of the Spirit in the interaction between the reader and the text, or between the readers, the text, and the group’s conversation around the text.

Is Lectio Divina best practiced alone or in a group?

Traditionally lectio divina is practiced alone, but many find that this kind of spiritual reading and holy conversation also works well within a group of 2 to 12 people.

Why are we beginning to emphasize Lectio Divina at our church?

Our church is moving to an emphasis on Minsitry Teams which have a three fold focus on (1) Fellowship, (2) Discipleship, and (3) Ministry. Lectio Divina can be one helpful way for committees and Ministry Teams to focus on the discipleship. Suggestions for Scripture passages to be used by Ministry Teams will be posted on the church website.

What types of questions are used in Lectio Divina?

Questions and suggestions like the following may be used:

1. As you hear the text read out loud and ponder it, what do you notice? What words or phrases strike you? What do you wonder about?

2. What connections do you see between the text and things going on in our lives, individually, or as a church, or as a community, or as a world. What might God be saying to us through this text?

3. What questions, requests, reactions, concerns or joys would you want to share with God?

4. Continue to ponder the text, attentive to God’s leading.

Where can I find out more about Lectio Divina?

Marjorie Thompson has a helpful introduction to Lectio Divina in her book Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, or information may be found on the internet.