Lectio Divina Home Introduction to Lectio Divina Bibliography for Lectio Divina 
Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer Program of Lectio Divina Learning to Pray
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A Seven Session Introduction to 
Lectio Divina, 
Praying the Scriptures

The introductory workshop on Lectio Divina, teaches the method of Lectio Divina as a way to pray the sacred scriptures. It presents a Christian tradition of prayer that through reading, reflecting, responding and resting in the Word of God one’s relationship with God is nourished and deepens.

The workshop consists of presentations that focus on the following:

Reading the Word of God

The Word of God is read in a listening manner with “the ear of one’s heart.” One is attentive to the phrase, sentence or one word that is noticed.

The participants experience the method.

Reflecting on the Word of God

The Word of God is reflected upon and the phrase, sentence or one word that captures one’s attention that touches one is savored and held reflectively. The participants experience the method.

Responding to the Word of God

The Word of God is responded to in a spontaneous manner. One may express a prayer, a concern, a question. The participants experience the method.

Resting with the Word of God

The Word of God is rested with in the silence. One allows it to speak in the quiet of one’s heart. The participants experience the method.

Becoming a Word of God

The transformative power of the Word of God is experienced as one is faithful to Lectio Divina. The participants explore the fruits of one’s deepening relationship with God.

 

The participants have both the group and individual experience of Lectio Divina.

Six follow-up sessions provide a comprehensive program to the initial introductory workshop. These sessions are facilitated by the presenter of the introductory workshop. Each session consists of additional teaching material on Lectio Divina as well as an opportunity for discussion and group lectio.

Session 1: “The Deepening of an Interpersonal Relationship,” (Chapter 3), Too Deep for Words by Thelma Hall. New York: Paulist Press,1988.

Session 2: “Lectio Divina,” (Chapter 4), Too Deep for Words by Thelma Hall. New York: Paulist Press, 1988

Sessions 3: “Lectio Divina Practice” by Fr. Carl Arico, Contemplative Outreach Resource Materials, Video # 091.

Sessions 4: “The Process of Lectio Divina,” (Chapter 5), Intimacy with God, by Thomas Keating. New York: Crossroad Publishing Co., 1994.

Session 5: “Lectio Divina Demonstration and Commentary,” by Sr. Mary Margaret Funk, Contemplative Outreach Resource Materials, Video # 086, Audio # 084.

Session 6: “The Classical Monastic Practice of Lectio Divina” by Thomas Keating, OCSO, Contemplative Outreach News, Vol. 12, Number 2, Winter 1998.

Introductory workshop can be presented from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm format. It can also be expanded to begin on Friday evening and end on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. It can likewise be condensed to an hour and a half.

The follow-up sessions normally are held in the evening or morning every week or every other week. These sessions last approximately 1 ½ hours each.

The program may be custom designed to fit the needs of the group in terms of time and space and the organization of the group for which the program is being presented. 10/03

Lectio Divina Home Introduction to Lectio Divina Bibliography for Lectio Divina 
Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer Program of Lectio Divina Learning to Pray
Contemplative Outreach Front Page