SESSION 11 (2023)
LEG 1 (7/24-8/6)
READING
Redeeming Heartache by Dan Allender & Cathy Loerzel
Part 3: Restoring Shalom
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
Chapter 3: Scripture - Encountering God Through Lectio Divina
The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas
Excerpt on Slow Reading of Scripture, p37-41 from Chapter 2
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson
Section 2: Lectio Divina (DOWNLOAD PDF) - NOTE: This is optional additional reading
Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer by David Benner
Chapter 3: Lectio Divina and Four Classic Prayer Paths (DOWNLOAD PDF) - NOTE: This is optional additional reading
PREPARING
Watch or listen to “Scripture” from Psalm 119 from the Spiritual Rhythms of the Psalms series from February 2023.
REFLECTING
Reflect on the following questions regarding the reading, writing in your journal:
Too often we fail to see what we are already doing as not only enough but as worthy of delight and honor. Consider these small examples: a) In the way you interact with your neighbors, how do you reveal Christ? b) In the matter in which you conduct yourself at work? c) In the way you express your authority over another (as a parent, supervisor, etc)? d) In the manner in which you interact with people in your church? (RH - CH11, p235)
If there were no constraints financially (say you won the lottery), what would you like to bring to this earth that reveals Jesus’s character? What would you do to further the kingdom of God? What is stopping you from taking a step toward this (other than finances)? What is one step you could take today in your current situation? (RH - CH11, p235)
What grieves us and angers us about some harm being perpetuated is a good indication of our “Hell, no!” What breaks your heart? What truly brings tears as you see the harm that exists? What makes you slam your fist on a table? What brings indignation that such harm exists? (RH - CH12, p236)
In what ways are you inviting people to the banquet who don’t quite fit your profile or way of being in the world? (RH - CH12, p236)
What aspects of lectio divina are seeming comfortable to you (either through reading about it or practicing it)? Which aspects are seeming less comfortable? Why do you think this is? (SR - CH3, p174)
What has been your preferred method of reading the Bible as of late? How does lectio divina differ from that method?
David Banner describes the four traditional movements of lectio divina as holistic prayer in that it allows God to transform and integrate all the disparate parts of ourselves - our minds, hearts, imaginations, and bodies. What dimensions of your being do you feel most comfortable opening to God? With which do you have the most difficulty? Why is that? (O2G - CH3, p187)
Lectio Divina helps us move beyond simply hearing the words of Scripture toward encounter, communion, and union. Christians often refer to Scripture as “the living Word,” but too often settle for head knowledge instead of an encounter. How might incorporating the practice of lectio divina change your reading and listening posture in relation to Scripture? How has it already begun to do so? (O2G - CH3, p187-188)
PRACTICING: Colossians 3:1-4
Practice the divine reading of lectio divina with Colossians 3:1-4 on at least 4x occasions throughout this leg. You may want to use the same translation each time, or you may want to use a different translation each time (such as ESV, NIV, CSB, and The Message) as different words or phrases might stand out depending on the translation. Our adaptation of this ancient practice (as you will have heard in the sermon, and experienced from time to time in our reflection after the sermon on Sunday morning) is:
OPENING: Begin by opening yourself to God, positioning your body, preparing your heart, and praying this simple breath prayer of young Samuel from 1 Samuel 3: “Here I am, Lord - speak to me - I am ready to listen.”
LISTENING: Read the passage the first time, asking yourself, “What word or phrase is the Spirit drawing me to in this passage?” Then spend the next minute in silence with that word, savoring that phrase for the next minute, listening as the Spirit continues leading.
REFLECTING: Read the passage a second time, asking yourself, “What is God saying to me through this passage about who He is, what He has done, or what He has promised to do?” Then spend the next minute in silence as the Spirit continues stirring.
RESPONDING: Read the passage a third time, asking yourself, “How is God inviting me to respond to what He has said in this passage?” Then spend the next minute in silence as the Spirit reveals a step of faithfulness and obedience in living this out.
GIVING THANKS: Close your time in prayer, thanking God for this time, for His Word, for His presence with you, and His love for you.
LEG 2 (8/7-8/20)
READING
The Deeper Journey by Robert Mulholland
Chapter 5: Abandoning the False Self (this is being moved to an earlier session for following groups)
Chapter 6: Putting on the New Nature
Chapter 7: Principles of the Deeper Life
REFLECTING
Reflect on the following questions regarding the reading, writing in your journal:
What is one step you can take today to quiet the noise in order to listen more attentively to the voice of Jesus and slow down in order to live more faithfully to the way of Jesus? (EHS-WB, p26)
Fill in the blanks: What I am beginning to realize about God this week is _______. What I am beginning to realize about myself this week is _______. (EHS-WB, p34)
Paul tells us that in our new nature “there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all” (Col 3:11). How does this affect our relationships with others who are different from us? How might you begin to view both yourself and others differently? (TDJ, CH5 - Q7, p178)
Mulholland writes that “putting on the virtues of our new nature takes place in the midst of our everyday life with others.” It cannot happen in a vacuum apart from the presence of God and others. How have you been attempting to do this on your own? How can you take a step of vulnerability toward inviting others into this process and journey with you? (TDJ, CH6 - p121)
Paul addresses his readers as “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” (Col 3:12). What changes might take place in your life if you lived each moment in the conscious awareness that you are God’s chosen one, holy and beloved? (TDJ, CH6 - p140)
Why are we unable to put on our new nature on our own? Why do we need God’s presence and power in this process? Describe a time or situation where you did try to do this on your own apart from God. How did that go? (TDJ, CH5 - Q6, p178)
Which of the virtues that Paul lists in Col 3:12 - compassion, kindness, humility, meekness (or gentleness), patience - is most natural and easy for you? Which is most difficult for you? Why do you think that is? (TDJ, CH6 - Q4, p180)
We are called to forgive unconditionally. What comes to mind when you think of unconditional forgiveness? Have you been unconditionally forgiven by someone else? Whom do you need to forgive? Reflect on what has caused you to hold back this forgiveness, in full. How is unconditional forgiveness impossible on our own? (TDJ, CH6 - p140, p180)
PRACTICING: Colossians 3:5-11
Practice the divine reading of lectio divina with Colossians 3:5-11 on at least 4x occasions throughout this leg. You may want to use the same translation each time, or you may want to use a different translation each time (such as ESV, NIV, CSB, and The Message) as different words or phrases might stand out depending on the translation. Our adaptation of this ancient practice (as you will have heard in the sermon, and experienced from time to time in our reflection after the sermon on Sunday morning) is:
OPENING: Begin by opening yourself to God, positioning your body, preparing your heart, and praying this simple breath prayer of young Samuel from 1 Samuel 3: “Here I am, Lord - speak to me - I am ready to listen.”
LISTENING: Read the passage the first time, asking yourself, “What word or phrase is the Spirit drawing me to in this passage?” Then spend the next minute in silence with that word, savoring that phrase for the next minute, listening as the Spirit continues leading.
REFLECTING: Read the passage a second time, asking yourself, “What is God saying to me through this passage about who He is, what He has done, or what He has promised to do?” Then spend the next minute in silence as the Spirit continues stirring.
RESPONDING: Read the passage a third time, asking yourself, “How is God inviting me to respond to what He has said in this passage?” Then spend the next minute in silence as the Spirit reveals a step of faithfulness and obedience in living this out.
GIVING THANKS: Close your time in prayer, thanking God for this time, for His Word, for His presence with you, and His love for you.
LEG 3 (8/21-9/10)
READING
Surrender to Love by David Benner
Preface, Chapters 1-5, Epilogue
REFLECTING
Reflect on the following questions regarding the reading, writing in your journal:
How does the word “surrender” make you feel? Physically? Emotionally? Spiritually? What fears does this arose? What memories does it bring back? What words come to mind? What do you need to release in this moment as a way of practicing surrender?
David Benner writes that only surrender to something or someone bigger than us is sufficiently strong to free us from the prison of our egocentricity. What do you know of the prison of your egocentricity? How is your spirituality helping or hindering you to overcome that prison? What thoughts do you have about how surrender might help you move beyond your self-preoccupations? (S2L, Pre - Q3, p106-107)
Imagine God thinking about you and then, based on what feelings this produces, notice what you seem to be assuming God feels when you come to mind. What do you assume comes to God’s mind? Has your assumption about how God thinks and feels about you changed over recent years? If so, how? (S2L, CH1 - Q5, p107)
In the opening chapter, Benner distinguishes between beliefs about God and encountering God. How have you settled for beliefs about God without encountering and experiencing God’s presence? How has this led you to focus more on obedience to God rather than surrender to God? How might your past experiences and relationships impacted this view? (S2L, CH1 - Q7-8, p107)
What do you most try to avoid? What do you most fear? How do your fears block or hamper your relationship with God? How do they reduce your openness to love others and receiving love from others? (S2L, CH2 - Q3-4, p108)
One reason why love sometimes feels dangerous is that it invites surrender. Banner writes in CH2 that, “Although we may try to give and receive love in measured doses, both our own deepest longings and the very nature of love bid abandon.” What do you know of the way in which love invites surrender and abandon? What does this tell you about both the nature of love and the nature of surrender? (S2L, CH2 - Q5, p108)
Benner suggests in CH5 that the most important task in being human is to love, and that if we are not in the process of becoming more loving, something is seriously wrong with our spirituality. Do you agree? Why or why not? How are you doing in the School of Love that is the essence of spiritual formation? What things have we put at the center of our focus of discipleship that have displaced becoming more loving? (S2L, CH5 - Q2, p112-113)
Following the way of Jesus involves descent, abandon, and death. Contrast this with the popular messages of perpetual joy and victorious living in Christ taught by some. Which message rings more true with your heart and soul? With Scripture? Are they mutually exclusive, or are there aspects of truth? (S2L, CH5 - Q5, p113)
As we progress through the process of spiritual formation we move from loving God for our own sake to loving God for God’s sake. How would you describe your own love of God? Is it growing and are you increasingly motivated by love rather than (cowering) fear? What steps might you take to invite a deeper relationship with God? (S2L, CH5 - Q6, p113)
PRACTICING: Colossians 3:12-17
Practice the divine reading of lectio divina with Colossians 3:12-17 on at least 4x occasions throughout this leg. You may want to use the same translation each time, or you may want to use a different translation each time (such as ESV, NIV, CSB, and The Message) as different words or phrases might stand out depending on the translation. Our adaptation of this ancient practice (as you will have heard in the sermon, and experienced from time to time in our reflection after the sermon on Sunday morning) is:
OPENING: Begin by opening yourself to God, positioning your body, preparing your heart, and praying this simple breath prayer of young Samuel from 1 Samuel 3: “Here I am, Lord - speak to me - I am ready to listen.”
LISTENING: Read the passage the first time, asking yourself, “What word or phrase is the Spirit drawing me to in this passage?” Then spend the next minute in silence with that word, savoring that phrase for the next minute, listening as the Spirit continues leading.
REFLECTING: Read the passage a second time, asking yourself, “What is God saying to me through this passage about who He is, what He has done, or what He has promised to do?” Then spend the next minute in silence as the Spirit continues stirring.
RESPONDING: Read the passage a third time, asking yourself, “How is God inviting me to respond to what He has said in this passage?” Then spend the next minute in silence as the Spirit reveals a step of faithfulness and obedience in living this out.
GIVING THANKS: Close your time in prayer, thanking God for this time, for His Word, for His presence with you, and His love for you.
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, July 19th, 2023, at 2:06PM
UPDATED: Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at 3:22PM - removed line about longer reflection paper (copy/paste error)