17_05 Reading in the Presence
Notes
Transcript
What is “Reading in the Presence”?
Lectio Divina / Lectio Coram Deo
Lectio - Reading
Divina - Divine
Coram Deo - In the Presence of God
Recognition that God is sovereign and at work around me
Recognition that God is speaking to you and me - (Through Scripture & Community)
Pausing long enough to hear and engage with Him.
Lit. “Listening to the text with the ‘ear of the heart’ as if you are in a conversation with God.”
History
Reading in the Presence goes all the way back to 6th century Christianity.
Being a Christian had become synonymous with being a Roman.
Everyone was a “Christian” and it was losing the meaning of what it meant to follow Jesus.
Many Christians, instead of succumbing to the social & political benefits of calling themselves Christian, instead moved to secluded areas to pursue a different way of life.
We call them Monks.
This Monastic movement had very Missional roots. They were showing a different way of life to a world consumed by power, busyness, status, and consumerism.
One of the practices that was developed was Lectio Divina.
What does Culture say about “Reading in the Presence”?
Our culture is not that much different from the 6th century.Busyness, power, status, and consumerism control us in much the same way. There is a belief that prayer is pointless & ineffective
God doesn’t exist, why would I pray?
I tried prayer, I was disappointed/let down.
The Bible is irrelevant and outdated. Possibly even evil.
In our Christian Subcultures - do your QT, read through the Bible, don’t forget to read and pray - checklist christianity
What does Scripture say about “Reading in the Presence”?
John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Romans 8:9 - You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
How does this inform how we live as God’s family?
Jesus
Reading in the Presence (RP) changes how we approach our time with Jesus.
Forces us to abandon Checklist Christianity
It is only successful & meaningful if it is slow and intentional
If I read the scriptures but don’t hear from God, I miss the point.
Practicing “RP” enables me to create meaningful, intentional spaces to connect with and hear from God.
Family
Taking part in RP means I am being more intentional about connecting with and hearing from God more frequently.
These are opportunities for me to share and encourage the church as a whole.
When my relationship with God is deeper, my relationship with those around me can be deeper.
This is an opportunity for me to bless others by helping them find time to RP
Mission
Adopting RP shows the people around me that I believe God’s word is active and living, that it is relevant and speaks to me even today.
The intimacy and depth of my relationship with God creates an inner peace & hope that becomes a testimony to a watching world.
How do I Practice this?
This will be described in detail in the booklet
(1) Starts with creating a space for met to spend some time with Jesus one on one.
Spouses need to work together.
Families might need to bless one another
(2) Bring a Bible, Journal, Pen.
(3) Spend the first few minutes slowing down and preparing yourself.
(4) Four key stages:
Reading
Reflecting
Responding
Resting
(5) Don’t be afraid to share what God spoke to your heart.
Why should I try this?
It’s not a magic pill!
It’s not going to magically connect you with God as if it’s some kind of ritualistic magical spell.
It’s all about creating the space to nourish and deepen one’s relationship with God.
Sometimes you’ll be too distracted, that’s okay
Sometimes you’ll leave encouraged and connected to God.
Centuries of Christians have been blessed by this practice. Will you?