Each Saturday during Lent, we will take some time as a church family to practice a different spiritual discipline or spiritual practice together. Today, we are practicing Lectio Divina with Gabriel Douglas.
What is Lectio Divina?
Lectio divina means “divine reading” or “sacred reading.” With lectio divina, we bring our whole self to God as we slowly read through a passage of Scripture four times, allowing the text to come alive for us in new ways.
How to practice Lectio Divina:
Read through John 6:1-15 four times. Each time, consider a different aspect of the passage. Trust that God will graciously speak to you through this passage as you listen to His Word.
- Lectio (Read)— As you read this passage the first time, listen for a particular word or phrase that speaks to you. Trust that the Holy Spirit will illuminate this passage and will bring a word or phrase to your mind. Hold that word or phrase in your mind. Don’t force anything, but wait patiently for God’s guidance.
- Meditatio (Reflect)—As you read this passage for the second time, ask God to show you more about the word or phrase that caught your attention the first time through. Savor that word or phrase with all of your senses, and enter into this passage with your whole self. Where are you in the story? What are you seeing? Smelling? Tasting? Feeling? Experiencing? This time through, listen for what images, feelings, and memories are stirring in your soul and welcome them in as you experience this passage in a real way.
- Oratio (Prayer)—As you read the text a third time, listen for an invitation from God rising up from your experience of prayerful reading thus far. In light of the word or phrase that stood out to you and what it evoked for you in memory, image, or feeling, what is the invitation that God has for you? This invitation may be a summons toward a new awareness or action.
- Contemplatio (Contemplation)—Read the passage one more time. As you read, rest in the presence of God and allow yourself simply to be. You may want to reposition your body so that your hands are facing upwards, as a physical sign that you are open to hearing from God in this final reading.
Led by Gabriel Douglas
Caring for Your Plant
NOURISHING
How wonderful is the spiritual nourishment we receive from the Word of God! The living Word addresses our needs for wisdom, peace, encouragement, growth, refining, and solace.
We are going to focus on addressing our plant’s needs this week. Plants need light and water, but also nutrients! There are many options for fertilizing your plant. You can use a commercial fertilizer, such as Miracle-Gro or Dyna-Grow, available in most lawn and garden sections or at a garden store such as Stein’s. You also can use items from around your home to nourish your plant. Mix a teaspoon of dried coffee grounds into the soil; grind up used, dried eggshells into a powder and work a teaspoon in; mix 1/8 of a teaspoon of Epsom salts into a half of a cup of water when you water your plant this week. If you have a fish aquarium, you can use that water for your plant as well! Choose just one method and be conscious of not overdoing either the fertilizer or the amount of water your plant receives; too many nutrients can lead to plant burning. Take a moment to reflect on the wisdom of God’s creation, that He created ecosystems where dried plant material provides the nourishment that living plants need.
Led by Juliann Roedl
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