Reflections on Chapter Three of the Sacred Rhythms: Scripture

Hello Friends,

Thank you for continuing this journey with me towards deeper spiritual transformation and life in Christ through the book Sacred Rhythms and our No Reading Required Book Study. With each chapter and video we share I continually return to my favourite quote from the introduction:

"I cannot transform myself...What I can do is create the conditions in which spiritual transformation can take place, by developing and maintaining a rhythm of spiritual practices that keep me open and available to God." Scared Rhythms, Introduction, p. 12

Today the way we are looking at "keeping open and available to God" is from the third chapter "Scripture." The heart of this chapter is how to engage our hearts and souls in Scripture reading.

This is a challenge for many of us. Have you ever been discouraged after reading Scripture? Not from the message you read but from the actual act of reading. I have; I've even avoid Bible reading because it had become dry, rote and dull. It feels shameful confessing such things. I know the power in Scripture. I have read it and it has come to life and been life changing for me. But over time these beautiful encounters with God fade and the act of reading slowly becomes a routine. I read because I ought to read or to keep up with a reading plan and you know Christ followers "do not live on bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of God." Then to add salt to the wound, someone mentions that the Scriptures were a love letter from God and I sink deeper into guilt. Maybe you can relate.

Barton does as she opens with her own ambivalence towards Scriptures. She shares times when Scripture was a life line, full of life, and life giving. She learned more and gathered information that was useful and helpful from her time in Bible college. She began teaching and sharing. But things slowly changed, "I had fallen into a pattern of using the Scriptures as a tool to accomplish utilitarian purposes rather experience them primarily as a place of intimacy with God for my own soul's sake." (Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 47).

"The real surprise was not that this happened but the fact that the shift was so subtle. After all, the purposes for which I was using Scriptures were not bad in and of themselves. It's just that over time, without my awareness, those purposes had trumped the greater purpose for which the Scriptures have been given: to allow my own heart and soul to be penetrated by an intimate word from God. My mind remained engaged, but my heart and soul had drifted far away." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 48

What is the cause of my bouts of boredom and duty bound reading? What had lead to Barton's own subtle shift in attitude towards Scripture? I think she's right in saying it was a slow loss of the purpose of Scripture, "to allow my own heart and soul to be penetrated by an intimate word from God." Much of how we are taught and encouraged to read from the time we enter school is for information gathering. Information alone will not feed our souls.

"The sad truth is that many of us approach the Scriptures more like a textbook than like a love letter. In Western culture in particular, we are predisposed to a certain kind of reading...When we are in an information-gathering mindset, we are analytical in our approach and at times even critical and judgmental...Information gathering may be exhilarating and even useful at times, but in the end our soul knows that there must be something more." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 49-50

There is something more. We know it. We've seen it. Even if you have never experienced it in Scripture you've witnessed this "more than knowledge" need in a young-newly-in-love couple. Those first few dates they want to know everything about each other: stories, interests, the people that shaped them, the books or shows they enjoy. These bits of information are interesting and fun and help each one understand the other a bit better.

"But the desire for intimacy moves us beyond fact finding to seeking understanding, connecting with that person emotionally and sensing our own response." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 51

How do we translate this knowledge of relationships going deeper than mere facts to reading Scripture? Is it possible to read for more than information? Barton and spiritually hungry Christ-followers through out the ages would say "yes!" Yes it is possible to read Scripture and encounter God. Lectio divina can be that approach.

Lectio Divina

Lectio divina is Latin for sacred reading. It is about reading Scripture in away that engages your heart and your soul. It is not about gaining information but rather transformation. It is slower, only looks at a few verses at a time and savors what is said in those lines.

This method of reading does not replace Bible study but supplements it. It is a practice that combines elements of other spiritual disciplines: silence, listening prayer, Scripture reading, meditation. Often  we practice lectio divina alone in solitude, but my introduction to the practice and most of my experiences since have been in groups.

In lectio divina there are steps or movements we go through while reading the Scripture.These movements are like the image of waves ebbing and flowing or breathing in and out.  It is a reading then a pause in silence, reading then pausing, reading then pausing; with each reading having a specific purpose. This pausing creates a space of us to hear God's voice and engage our heart in the readings. These movements are guides used throughout history by Christ followers. The four movements are reading (lectio), meditation (meditatio), prayer (oratio), and contemplation (contemplatio). Barton has added a preparation and conclusion to the movements.

"We might think of them as moves rather than steps because it reminds us of dancing. When we are first learning a new dance, we are very awkward and very concerned about getting it right. We watch our feet, trying to get them to do what they are supposed to do...we may be clumsy at first as we try to figure out how to move together gracefully. But in the end, the point is to be able to enter into the dance, flow with it, improvise and enjoy the person we are dancing with.

It is the same with lectio divina. When we are starting out, we concentrate on following the step and getting everything in the right order. But eventually as we become comfortable, they become moves in a dance that flow with beauty and pleasure, heart and soul...But first we do have to familiarize ourselves with the basic moves." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 56

Before beginning, choose a passage of Scripture. It should be a short passage no longer than six to eight verses is recommended. If you are using a Scripture reading plan or daily office (a type of prayer daily meditation) this is a great place to select verses for your lectio divina. You can work through a specific book or Psalm, going slowly, reading only a few verses at a time. Another option is looking for a passage on a theme or topic such as "peace," "forgiveness," "fear," or "love." If you are not sure where to begin you will find a list of verses at the end of this article.

You will need your Bible or the passage printed out so that you can read the verses. I would strongly recommend not using a Bible app on your phone as the phone could become a distraction.  However if that is your only access to Scripture use it, find ways to limit the potential distractions from setting  notifications to silent to putting in airplane mode.  Other things you might want to have nearby: a notebook or journal, pen, water or a cup of tea or coffee, and a timer. These are all optional but I have found them useful. Once you have your passage (and any of the extras you want) you are ready to start.

Readying (Silencio): This is your time to settle and prepare for the reading. Find a comfortable position that keeps you present and alert. Let your body relax, close your eyes, breath deeply. Speak to God. Invite Him into this time. Let Him know your heart and desire and willingness to listen and hear from Him. Barton includes "or your willingness to be made willing." Your prayer can be as simple as "Speak Lord, for Your child is listening" or "Come Lord Jesus into this time." This silent time of preparation can be as long as you like but I recommend sitting in the stillness for a minute or two.

Read (Lectio): In this first move we read, listening for what stands out or sparks interest in us, this could be a single word or a phrase. When reading the passage read it once or twice. If your location allows try reading the verses out loud. On your second reading read it silently. These different styles of reading can allow different words to be highlighted. As you read each word pay attention, focus on each word read. What words or phrases stand out or catch you? What resonated with you or left you unsettled and uncomfortable?

We follow each of the readings with time in silence. In this silence ponder the word or phrase that stood out to you. Say it to yourself a few times. Then sit with it. Barton recommends not trying to figure out what the word means."This is the word meant for you. Be content to listen simply and openly, without judgment or analyzing." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 60

Reflect(Meditiatio): "Once you have heard a word that is meant for you, read the passage again, and listen for the way this passage connects with your life. Ask, What is it in my life right now that needs to hear the word? Allow several moments of silence following this reading, and explore thought, perceptions and sensory impressions. If the passage is a story, perhaps ask yourself, Where am I in this scene? What do I hear as I imagine myself in the story or hear these words addressed specifically to me? How do the dynamics of this story connect with my own life experience?" Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 60

Respond (Oratio): In this next movement of reading we are listening for what our response is to what we have heard. In the time of silence after our third reading we enter into prayer telling God all we are thinking and feeling and pausing to hear back from Him. "At this point you are entering into a personal dialogue with God, sharing with God the feelings that the text has aroused,...feelings such as love, joy, sorrow, anger, repentance, desire, need, conviction, consecration. We pour out our hearts in complete honesty, especially as the text has probed aspects of our being and doing in the midst of various issues and relationships" Pay attention to any sense that God is inviting you to act or to respond in some way to the word you have heard. You may find it helpful to write your prayers or to journal at this point." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 60-61

Rest (Contemplatio): This is the final reading. Having responded to God, we sit in his presence and enjoy the rest that fills the space, "realizing that God is the One who will enable us to respond faithfully to whatever invitation we have heard from him." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 58

Resolve (Incarnatio): Having completed our time in the four movements of lectio divina, we leave this place of personal encounter with God. We resolve to take our word and response with us. We continue to think on, remember, and mediate on the Scripture through out the day (or if we participated in lectio divina in the evening, into our next day). We resolve to live out the Scriptures in our actions and interactions. "As a way of supporting your intent to live out the word you have been given, you may want to choose an image, a picture, or a symbol that you can carry to remind you of it." Sacred Rhythms, Scripture, p. 61

The Practical:

The real life application for this chapter is to follow the lectio divina movements outlined above. During the livestream of our book study on Thursday, June 4th, I have committed to using lectio divina three times this coming week: Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. A few other people also said they would take time this week to practice lectio divina. If you are interested in joining us let me know either in the comments or send me a message on Facebook.

Here are options for passage you use in your lectio divina readings:

1. GENESIS 32:22-31, JACOB WRESTLES THE ANGEL
2. EXODUS 3:11-14, I AM WHO I AM
3. EZEKIEL 36:26, A HEART OF FLESH
4. JEREMIAH 1:4-10, BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB
5. LUKE 10:38-42, MARY AND MARTHA
6. MARK 10:46 - 52, THE HEALING OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS
7. MATTHEW 5:14 - 16, YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
8. MATTHEW 5:19 - 21, TREASURES IN HEAVEN
9. LUKE 13:18 - 19 THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
10. JOHN 8:2 - 11, THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN
11. MATTHEW 6:25-34, THE LILIES OF THE FIELD
12. MATTHEW 14:13-21 LOAVES AND FISHES
13. JOHN 1:1-15, THE WORD BECAME FLESH
14.  ACTS 2:1-13, PENTECOST
15. MATTHEW 14:22-32, PETER WALKS ON WATER