Listen along as Pastor John and Margaret Fairchild teach and facilitate a group contemplative reading (aka - Lectio Divina) from Matthew 18:11-14. This message is part of a 2020 Gospel Reading focus and this is meant to be considered part of our “Tools of Engagement” to help people better interact with God through the scriptures.
“Tools of Engagement”
Contemplative Reading
Aka - “Lectio divina”
1. Silence. Quiet yourselves physically and mentally.
- Find a quiet place to get comfortable.
- Start with a prayer for God’s help in quieting.
- Quiet body and soul.
- Focus on breath, breathing in Holy Spirit’s Presence, breathing out tension and stress.
2. Read. Reread. Reread…
- Choose a Scripture to focus on.
- Look for a word, phrase, verse or idea that stands out to you.
- Rereading several times, confirm that this is what you are to focus on.
3.Meditate. Observe. Imagine.
- Begin questioning why God may have stopped you at this place.
- Start thinking about it. Consider what you know about it.
- Observe how you’re feeling about this.
- Do you have questions?
- Use your imagination to put yourself into the story, parable, etc.
4. Pray. Speak to God. Listen to God.
- Respond to God.
- Dialog with God.
- Ask questions.
- Listen.
5. Contemplate. Be still.
- Finally, let your thoughts, questions and feelings subside.
- Rest in God’s presence.
- Be still and know that I am God. Ps 46:10
- The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth fall silent before Him. Habakkuk 2:20
A Parable of the Lost Lamb
11 “The Son of Man has come to give life to anyone who is lost. 12 Think of it this way: If a man owns a hundred sheep and one lamb wanders away and is lost, won’t he leave the ninety-nine grazing on the hillside and go out and thoroughly search for the one lost lamb? 13 And if he finds his lost lamb, he rejoices over it, more than over the ninety-nine who are safe. 14 Now you should understand that it is never the desire of your heavenly Father that a single one of these humble believers should be lost.” - Matthew 18:11-14 The Passion Translation