So, what’s on my mind?
This past Sunday, during our confirmation class, we spent some time talking about the Bible. We looked at a passage from 2 Timothy that says, “Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character” (2 Timothy 3:16, CEB). We talked about what Scripture is, why we have it, and how it can be useful in our lives.
And then we tried something a little different. I introduced the youth to an ancient practice called lectio divina. The name sounds much more complicated than the practice actually is. Lectio divina is a way of reading Scripture slowly and prayerfully, paying attention not just to what the passage says, but to what God might be saying to us through it.
Most of us probably approach the Bible with a question like, “What does this passage mean?” And that is a good question. We want to understand what the biblical writers were saying and what these passages meant in their original context. But sometimes we can get so focused on understanding the Bible that we forget to simply listen to it. That is where lectio divina can help.
The practice usually involves reading a short passage of Scripture several times, slowly. After the first reading, you might simply ask, “What word or phrase caught my attention?” You don’t have to figure out why. Just notice it. Then you read the passage again and ask, “What might God be saying to me through this?” Maybe a particular word encourages you, something challenges you, or a verse reminds you of something going on in your life right now. Then you read it again and respond to God in prayer. Finally, you spend a little time simply sitting quietly with what you’ve heard.
There is no test at the end. You don’t have to come up with the right answer. You don’t even have to feel like anything profound happened. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do with Scripture is slow down and listen.
One of the things I hope our confirmation students learn is that the Bible is more than a book that we’re supposed to know. It is also a book that God can form us through. That’s really what Paul is getting at in 2 Timothy. One of the ways we allow Scripture to shape us is by learning to slow down and listen.
So this week, if you have a few extra minutes, give it a try. Pick a short passage of Scripture, maybe one of our readings from the back of the bulletin. Read it slowly. Read it again. Notice what catches your attention. Ask God what you might need to hear. Then sit quietly for a moment. You might be surprised at what you notice when you stop trying to get through the Bible and give God some room to speak.
May God hold you,
Rev Chris Hester
