One Day Retreat.

Practicing Lectio Divina, together.

What is Lectio Divina? 

The Latin words lectio divina, which mean "divine reading" or "spiritual reading," refer to the slow, meditative reading of a selected passage from Scripture. Lectio Devina is a form of prayer that focuses on listening and responding to God's word, dating all the way back to the early centuries of the Christian church. It was established as a monastic practice by Benedict in the 6th century. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into the presence of God. 

Lectio is not Bible study, which primarily focuses on cognitive learning and people sharing their ideas and opinions about Scrpture. Instead, the learning comes through the experience of quiet Scripture meditation and being in God’s presence. We are seeking to be formed more into the image of Christ, not accumulating intellectual knowledge. The practice understands Scripture as a meeting place for a personal encounter with God. 

When undertaken in a group setting, Lectio Divina also involves listening to the experience of others and how that might inform your experience. It is never about pushing a particular view, but embracing the many ways in which Scripture can speak to all of us, individually and collectively. In a group setting, it is essential that Lectio Divina is a safe place where members don’t judge, advise, or reassure each other, but instead listen with empathy and prayerfulness. In this way, group members are not only drawn closer to one another, but also to the Lord who is present in the meeting. 

How does Lectio Divina work? 

In Lectio Divina, the chosen spiritual text is read four times in total, giving an opportunity to think deeply about it and respond thoughtfully. There are four common stages of the spiritual practice:

1. Lectio (Read/Listen). The first reading is an opportunity to get to know the Scripture passage. As you read the passage slowly and prayerfully, listen for a word or phrase that captures your attention. Allow it to arise from the passage as if it is God’s word for you today. Sit in silence repeating the word or phrase in your head. 

2. Meditatio (Reflect/Meditate). The second reading of the same passage focuses further on the word or phrase that you became aware of during your first reading. As you read the passage again, ask how this word or phrase speaks to your life and why it has connected with you. Ponder it carefully. Don’t worry if you get distracted — it may be part of your response to offer it to God.

3. Oratio (Respond/Pray). After a third reading, it is time to respond. As you read the passage for the last time, ask what Christ is calling from you. What is it that you need to do or consider or relinquish or take on as a result of what God is saying to you in this word or phrase? In the silence that followers the reading, pray for the grace of the Spirit to plant this word in your heart. It may be helpful to journal or write down your prayer. 

4. Contemplatio (Rest/Contemplate). After the final reading, spend time in silent contemplation. This isn’t a time of prayer or meditation, rather, it’s an opportunity to sit quietly and rest in the very presence of God, receiving God’s transforming embrace. Sit still with God, realizing that in this deep and profound relationship, words are not necessary. Be content and at peace with a wordless, quiet rest in God, which brings joy to the heart. Remember that contemplation is not your action or doing, rather it is allowing God to act in you.

Let’s practice together, in community!

42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. 44 All the believers were united and shared everything. 45 They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. 46 Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. 47 They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved. — Acts 2:42-47 (CEB)

As we go through each of the four stages of Lectio Divina, we will engage in three activities:

1. Scripture reading (Acts 2:42-47)

2. Silence/prayer

3. Personal sharing

Get in groups and introduce yourselves:

1. Since the goal of this retreat is to get to know others that you might not have had opportunities to spend time with, be intentional about forming groups of 3-4 with people you don’t already know, or don’t know as well. 

2. Agree to the group sharing guidelines:

• What we share in this group will be kept confidential

• We want everyone to feel safe and to receive empathy and prayer — not judgment, advice or reassurance.

3. Ice breaker sharing question prompt: What brought you to Common Good?

Begin with silence and centering before God.

• Make sure you are sitting comfortably.

• Breathe slowly and deeply. 

• Calm your anxieties and thoughts, and acknowledge God’s presence.

• Ask God to speak to you through the passage that you are about to read. 

1st Reading — Lectio (Read/Listen). As you read the passage slowly and prayerfully, listen for a word or phrase that captures your attention. Allow it to arise from the passage as if it is God’s word for you today. Sit in silence repeating the word or phrase in your head. 

• Personal Reflection: What is one word or phrase that you are drawn to? If you haven’t received a word yet, it’s okay. Keep listening as it may come later. 

• Group Sharing: If you have received a word or phrase, you can share that with the group with no explanation or commentary. 

2nd Reading —  Meditatio (Reflect/Meditate). As you read the passage again, ask how this word or phrase speaks to your life and why it has connected with you.

• Personal Reflection: Consider the word or phrase that stood out to you and ask yourself (feel free to journal a prayer): What do you feel? What are your emotions? What specific situation in your life today relates?

• Group Sharing: Why do you think were you drawn to this word or phrase? How does the word or phrase connect with your life and/or your circumstance?

3rd Reading —  Oratio (Respond/Pray). As you read the passage for the last time, have a conversation with God and ask what Christ is calling from you. What is it that you need to do or consider or relinquish or take on as a result of what God is saying to you in this word or phrase?

• Personal Reflection: As you reflect on the significance of the word or phrase and how it connects to your life/situation, spend time in prayer asking what God might be inviting you to do, consider, relinquish or take on in response to how God is speaking to you in this moment.

• Group Sharing: What do you think God is inviting you to do in response to the word or phrase that God is speaking to you about? 

4th Reading — Contemplatio (Rest/Contemplate). After the final reading, spend time in silent contemplation by sitting quietly and resting in the presence of God, receiving God’s transforming embrace. 

• Group Sharing:

  • Talk about your overall experience practicing Lectio Divina. How did the practice of Lectio Divina feel? What did you like? What did you not like? What was challenging? Would you incorporate Lectio Divina in your own individual times with God? Why or why not?

  • Pray for each other about what each person shared regarding their word or phrase for the day.