God's Word Can Speak to You Through Lectio Divinia

Have you ever had a Bible verse suddenly stop you in your tracks? In this episode, Terri explores the transformative practice of Lectio Divina—sacred reading that deepens your connection with God's Word. Discover how this ancient, yet simple, four-step process (read, meditate, pray, contemplate) moves you beyond surface-level Bible reading to a place of authentic encounter with God.

Learn why bringing your uncensored thoughts and raw emotions to Scripture creates space for genuine healing and spiritual growth. Terri walks you through the steps to implement Lectio Divina in your daily life, even if you only have time for one verse a day. God's Word is like a "probiotic for your spirit," producing a healthier soul and greater capacity to live like Jesus.

Download your FREE 3-day Lectio Journal through the link in our episode description and begin experiencing Scripture in a profoundly personal way today.

#LectioDivina #SacredReading #SpiritualGrowth #BibleStudy

By subscribing to the Anchored Not Anxious CareLetter you will be uplifted, encouraged, and reminded to show yourself self-compassion. Get devotions, evidence-based resources, anchoring practices, self-help book recommendations, and receive the love of Jesus. Thank you for listening!

Transcript

In this episode, I'm going to show you how God's word speaks to you. There are times when I'm reading verses from the Bible and suddenly a word or phrase halts my progress as if stumbling over a rock on a path.  I look again to see why and what in this verse has tripped me. I am captivated, compelled to pause and examine it further. 

It's not only grabbed my attention, but I am affected by it. Has this happened to you? If so, unknowingly you participated in Lectio Divinia.  Lectio Divinia is a Latin phrase, meaning sacred reading.  Lectio moves you out of boredom with the stories and characters of the Bible.  If we read verses without contemplation, this is like gulping food.

Without savoring the flavor, our spirit cannot be satisfied with this kind of biblical consumption.  In my research on Lectio, I've discovered it helps us relate to God, and in a way we do not or cannot with friends, family, or anyone.  I'm saying if you truly want to relate to God, then bring it. I'm talking about uncensored thoughts and feelings within you. 

I listen to other Christians say, “oh, I speak my mind in conversational prayer with God, but I'm not irreverent”. I'm thinking they say they're not irreverent because that would be bad, right?  Well, I have a different view. 

Full confession here. I'm certain that I have been irreverent to God. According to Google AI,  reverence refers to a lack of respect for God, his holy things, or his representatives. It's characterized by disrespect, disregard, and sometimes even insults directed toward the divine or anything associated with it. 

I have said stuff to God like, “you hate me, don't you”, “God, you watch and wait for me to fail”, and “God, you made a mistake when you made me”. So much anger and hurt in my heart before and after I became a Christian, and He knew it.  Your hate, prejudice, anger, pain, grief, disappointment. He welcomes it.  God wants a real raw interaction with you. 

This is what Lectio helps you do. This is how His truth heals your brokenness. God is completely invested in making you whole. God's word is like a probiotic, producing a healthier spirit. Consuming a gospel concept, biblical command, an Old Testament song, a call to courage feeds a starved soul. And all this good stuff produces a brightness and energy to love, live, and act like Jesus. 

So now that you love the idea of Lectio, how do you do it? It's a simple four part process.  First, Lectio. Read the scripture, approach your verse selection surrendered and open. Savor each word. Speak the words aloud so you engage your sense of hearing meditation. This is when you reflect on the verse. Scan each word for depth and meaning relative to your present circumstances. 

Let it speak to your future.  A word or words may capture your attention.  Ask Jesus to reveal any personal significance. For your past, present, or future, listen for the spirit in your spirit.  The third step is, or ratio talk with God.  Here you open up on why or how those words affect you.

If the verses trouble you, say so. If the meaning is veiled, say so. If you are convicted, tell him. Grateful, encouraged, frustrated, angry?  Tell Him. Real talk with a real God.  And the last step is contemplation.  Take a word from your reading or take what the spirit revealed.   Let the word or new insight guide you, instruct you. 

This can be a passive or intentional action. Carry your word or insight throughout the day.   Envision it anchoring you to God.  Let it instill courage or convict you of your identity in Christ.  Four parts. Read it, savor it, talk about it with God, and take a word. Simple and powerful. 

Oh, and it's expensive. Yeah, it's expensive because it requires time. Your limited resource. In a demanding life, time is a precious resource. Dear, we waste time spent in contemplation. Can we afford the time to linger with God? Is reading his word, a productive use of our time?  Yes and yes.  Listen to Jesus' thoughts on God's word. 

Matthew 12:3. “Jesus said to them, haven't you read in the scriptures what David did….”  Matthew 21:42. Then Jesus said to them, didn't you ever read this in the scriptures?  And Matthew 22:31. Jesus replies, “But now as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead, haven't you ever read about this in the scriptures?”

Over and over Jesus' expectation was that His Father's word be read. I have to believe Jesus expects the same from me. And I confess there are times I have begrudgingly given God my attention. I act like it's a huge sacrifice. Forgetting what true sacrifice looks like. It looks like Jesus. There's no guilt trip here.

It's just do your best. Read God's word, even if it's one verse a day.  And then look forward to your time in His presence. Let God pour His love into you as you linger over His words for you.  Union with God, friendship with Jesus, living by the Spirit. This is a reality as you consume God's word and let it live in you. 

Thank you for listening.  I hope you'll expand the episode description to find a link to get your free three day Lectio Journal.  📍  I pray this helps you relate to God in a deeply personal way and jumpstarts your Lectio practice.  Of course, there are a few podcast sites that don't provide the link, but you can always find it at YouTube. 

 If you go there, find the podcast and you'll be able to open up the episode description. All right, until next time.