By BEN Larson

month, we talked about some practical ways to study God’ s Word that have been helpful to me. This month, I would like to present a further breakdown of the verse study you can implement. Growing up in CMA, something Jerod McPherson, our Vice President Evangelistic Outreach, taught us is called Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina, as described by Wikipedia, is“ a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’ s word.”

I would like to encourage you to try this. When this is done in a group setting, God speaks to everyone in a different way, in a way that they needed to hear. He speaks to us all personally through His Word. In a group setting, after we read through it a couple of times, we will often go around and ask those who would like to share, to share with the group which word or phrase stood out to them and what they feel God is telling them through it.

This practice only proves that the Bible is God’ s living Word. It is not just words on a page; it is how God can also speak to us. If you would like to try this practice, I have included some simple instructions to help you..

Here are a few tips if you would like to try this.

• Pick a Quiet Space: Create an atmosphere for silence and listening.

• Choose a Passage: Short passages( e. g., a psalm or Gospel passage) work best, as you are not studying it, but savoring it. This can also be done while you’ re normally reading and something stands out, slow down and take some time to listen to what God is communicating through it.

• Let Go of Pressure: Do not be pressured to“ finish” the text. If one phrase holds you for the whole time, that is fine.

• Be Patient: If your mind wanders, gently return to the phrase or word you chose.

Now for the how-to: here are some simple instructions for doing this on your own or as a group. 1. Read / Listen: Slowly read a short passage of Scripture, ideally aloud, allowing your ears to hear the words. Read it 2-3 times, looking for a word or phrase that resonates. 2. Reflect: Focus on the phrase that stood out. Ponder it, allowing it to interact with your thoughts, memories, and life situation, letting the Word sink from the mind to the heart.

3. Respond / Prayer: Respond to God based on your reflection. This is a personal conversation – a dialogue of praise, repentance, thanksgiving, or petition.

4. Rest / Contemplate: Sit silently in the loving presence of God. Stop trying to“ do” anything and simply rest in the insight or peace received. Ask God what this word means for you. Is there anything that you need to do? Any changes you need to make?

I know you will love this practice if you give it a try. Try to slow down and read to understand, not just to complete. God can still speak to us on a read-to-complete schedule, so I would encourage you to read and spend time with Him when you can. When you get time for more, try out this practice. CMA

Ben and Rachel Larson serve CMA as National Evangelist Youth Movement.

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