My final hint for helping your practice of Bible Reading is an old idea called Lectio Divina. It is Latin for “Divine Reading”. It is an old monastic habit that I was introduced to a number of years ago. It involves a series of steps that can be done individually or as a group. Typically there are four steps: reading, meditating, contemplating, praying.

Here is a suggested process:

Prayerfully ask God to speak to you through the Bible.

Read the passage slowly and thoughtfully.

Reflect: ‘what word/phrase/theme caught my attention?’

[as a group you can share the word/phrase/theme without comment]

Read the passage again slowly and thoughtfully.

Reflect: ‘where does this passage touch my life experience?’

[as a group you can share your answer without comment]

Read the passage again slowly and thoughtfully.

Reflect: ‘Through God’s Word, what is God inviting me to be and respond to Him? How is He inviting me to change?’

[as a group you can share beginning with the phrase, ‘I believe God want me to…’]

Reflect: ‘what word or phrase is God wanting to speak through me to others?’

[as a group you can share the word/phrase without comment]

Prayerfully respond to how God has led you and taught you [as a group pray for the person to your right] continue to pray throughout the day.