“Now, turn to the text you have chosen and read it slowly, gently. Let each sentence echo within you. While reading listen for the ‘still, small voice’ of a word or phrase that calls out for your attention. Do not expect lightning or ecstasies. In lectio divina God desires that we listen, that we seek God in the quiet of our heart. Therefore, God does not reach out and grab our attention but rather gently invites us ever more deeply in to God’s presence.”

Ruth Haley Barton, in her inspiring book Sacred Rhythms, Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation has a chapter dedicated to describing Lectio Divina and how we might use Scripture to “listen to God relationally rather than seeking only to learn more about God cognitively.”  She goes on to say, “the practice of lectio divina is rooted on the belief that through the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures are indeed alive as we engage them for spiritual transformation….  One of the reasons this approach is so powerful is that lectio divina involves a delicate balance of silence and word.” 

Though Lectio Divina was originally meant for private practice and still works well for some people, I think it is even more effective in small groups, say from 2 to 25. A group like that has the intention to “support the inner journey of each person, to make each soul feel safe enough to show up and speak its truth, to help each person listen to his or her inner teacher,” ( from A Hidden Wholeness by Parker J. Palmer, p.54). It helps build community, trust, and commitment. It works well for age groups from 12 upward, for various levels of faith development, from un-churched to professional ministry. It can be accommodated for special seasons like Advent and Lent. I’ve even had atheists in my group and we were using Scripture passages! In some cases poetry can be used or some other inspirational piece of writing, making it the focus for the group.

It takes a facilitator to do this type of group because groups easily move into advising and commenting. To be a “safe” group, as Parker Palmer describes it, a good facilitator is necessary. I am therefore offering an experiential class on how to be a facilitator and how to use this process with a new or existing group or family. Bring a donation and 1 to 1-1/2 hour of your time. Call me, Erna Dennis, at (513) 932-9891 & leave a message or email ernden1@msn.com