Spiritual FormationSample

Listening to God in scripture

Early in my Christian walk of faith I was mentored in different ways of approaching reading the Bible. I learnt how to explore the historical context and the value of discovering the full meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek. I studied the Bible to cross-reference themes and biblical principles that would form the basis of my lived values.

I also learnt how to read the scriptures as a personal letter from God, paying attention to what words stood out to me that day and then taking those words and mulling over them in my thoughts and prayers. This is the concept of Lectio Divina – allowing scripture to be personally transformative by reading the verses as the self-revelation of God to His people.

Ruth Haley Barton in Sacred Rhythms gives some helpful questions to ask ourselves when we read a passage of scripture this way. These include:

· Considering how you feel about what is being said in the scripture: Where do you find yourself resonating deeply? Where do you find yourself resisting, pulling back, wrestling with what scripture is saying?

· What aspect of life or your inner being is being touched or spoken to through this scripture? What do my reactions tell me about myself and how I relate to God?

Let’s try this spiritual practice with the well-known Psalm 23. Read it slowly and consider the question above.

Written by KATH HENRY