Download Guided by the Word - Our Lady of Peace

Guided by the Word
By Tom East
Purpose
Scripture is a source for prayer, guidance, comfort and
challenge for us as disciples. This session helps high
school youth explore the role of Scripture in their lives, including ways that they
can read, pray, and know Bible passages.
Component: Catechesis
Correlation to the U.S. Bishops’ Adaptation: Course 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ
in Scripture (Catechism of the Catholic Church #131, 141 and 2662)
131 "And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as
her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for
the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life." Hence "access to Sacred Scripture
ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful."
Session at a Glance
7:00 p.m.
Introduction – Let’s Go Backpacking!
7:15 p.m.
Hike Stop One – Read the Bible
7:40 p.m.
Hike Stop Two – Pray with the Bible
8:00 p.m.
Hike Stop Three – Know the Bible
Extend the Session: And Then What Happened… (add 30
minutes)
Extend the Session: Me and the Bible – Relationship Status (add
20 minutes)
8:15 p.m.
Closing Prayer
8:30 p.m.
Announcements and Refreshments / Good Night!
Extend the Session: And Then What Happened… (30 minutes)
We know a lot more Scripture than we think we do. Much of the Scripture we
know is in the stories. As a large group, lead the group in re-telling the story of
Noah’s ark by giving them a prompt and then by asking “and then what
happened?” (See: Genesis 5:32 to 9:29) Give additional prompts to get the story
on track.
Divide into small groups and assign one of the following stories to each group.
Have the group recall what they remember about the story, then read the
passage together and choose a way to tell the story to the group. After 15
minutes of preparation, gather as a large group and listen to the stories.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 1






Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-24)
Moses with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:19 to 20:21)
David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-51)
The Epiphany – The Three Wise Ones from the East (Mathew 2:1-12)
The Boy Jesus in the Temple – (Luke 2:41-51)
The Wedding Feast at Cana – (John 2:1-11)
Me and the Bible - Relationship Status (20 minutes)
What is your relationship status with the Bible? Ask participants to think about
the way that they feel about the Bible and to think of it like a relationship. Create
a newsprint sheet with these four words listed. Distribute index cards and pens
or pencils to each participant. Say to the group:
Take a look at these four words and think for a minute how you would
describe your relationship to the Bible at this moment.
Rely
Admire
Acquainted
Hands Off
Rely – I rely on Scripture, and I strive to read the Bible, pray with it and
apply the lessons to my life.
Admire – I admire the Scriptures and those who know how to read the Bible,
but I struggle to take the time and to make sense of it in my life.
Acquainted – I know about the Bible, and I read it or listen to the readings
at Church, but I don’t feel like I really know or understand it very well.
Hands Off – I just don’t understand the Bible or really get into it.
Take a moment to pick one of these words (or another word and explanation
of your own) to describe your current relationship with the Bible and write a
few phrases or a sentence that explains why you made that choice.
Allow a few minutes for individuals to reflect and complete this task, then ask
the participants to gather in groups of three and to share the word they chose.
Share a personal example of a time when your “status” changed and you became
more comfortable with Scripture and relied on it better in your life. Describe how
you took steps to become more familiar with Scripture, including reading
Scripture, praying with Scripture passages, and taking the time to know
Scripture by heart and apply it to your life.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 2
Materials Needed
 Pens or pencils, one per person
 Bibles, one per person
Note to Leader: It is important to choose Bibles that have introductions to each
book that are understandable by youth. It would be helpful if each person in the
small group had a copy of the same translation and version of the Bible.
 Handout 1, Who, What, What Now?, one per person
 Handout 2, Scripture Prayers, one per person
 Handout 3, Lectio Divina, one per person
 5” x 8” pieces of parchment paper, one per person
 Sharpie markers and/or calligraphy pens, enough for each person to write
and use
 Resource 1, Groups 1 through 5, one each for small group leader
 “Love Has Come” by Matt Maher (Spirit & Song 2, OCP), or another song on
the theme of “Word”
 CD or MP3 player
Extend the Session: The Bible and Me – Relationship Status
 Index cards, one per person
 Newsprint sheet with these four words: Rely, Admire, Acquainted, and
Hands Off
Prepare in Advance
Note to Leader: This session is correlated to the U.S. Bishops’ Adaptation of the
Curriculum Framework, published in January 2010 by the Committee on
Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB. Download the Adaptation from this
website: http://www.usccb.org/evangelization/Adaptation-of-HS-CurriculumFramework-Preamble2.pdf.
1. This session has the participants moving to three different locations (Hike
Stops). Depending on your meeting space, this may be three different spots in
the main meeting room, or can be three different rooms. Make sure the
supplies you need for each Hike Stop are at the appropriate location.
2. Set up tables for refreshments and sign-in. Have one or two people at the
sign-in table with check-in sheet and nametags and registration information
(have a few extra packets on hand for walk-ins). Hospitality is important! As
the leader, spend the arrival time moving among the participants, greeting
and speaking with them.
3. Invite a young person to proclaim Isaiah 55:10-12 for the closing prayer.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 3
4. Prepare two sheets of newsprint needed for the session:
Newsprint #1:
Write this headline: Items for a Backpacking Trip
Draw an outline of a large backpack. You will be writing brainstormed
ideas inside the outline.
Newsprint #2:
Write this headline: Resources for Disciples
Draw an outline of a large backpack. You will be writing brainstormed
ideas inside the outline.
3.
Fill a backpack with the following items:
 Canteen or water bottle
 Cell phone
 Small round loaf of bread (wrapped in a cloth napkin) and a plate to
place it on
 Bottle of non-alcoholic wine with the label removed
 Crucifix
 Copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
 Bible
 Compass
 Flashlight
4. Create a prayer table that will be placed in the middle of your prayer space.
Place a cloth, candle and a Bible on the prayer table. Place the backpack next
to the Bible and leave space for the symbols.
5. Prepare for the sharing in Hike Stop Three by recalling one or two Scripture
passages that you have committed to memory. Be prepared to share the
Scriptures and why you know these passages by heart. You will also need to
choose a Scripture to write out on a piece of parchment as an example for the
group.
6. In Hike Stop Three, participants will need to choose a line from Scripture
that they will write out and place on a doorway in their home. Gather
resources that would help them find a line from Scripture such as
concordances or Bibles that have a topic guide. Consider writing these
passages on newsprint as a resource:


God’s promise to be with us: Matthew 18:18-20
Prayer for protection from evil: Psalm 141
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 4











Call to Justice: James 2:1-13
Hope: Romans 8:26-30
Trust: Mathew 6:25-34
Joy and Thanks: Philippians 4:4-9
Call to Holiness: 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Growth and Renewal: Ephesians 3:15-21
Peace and sharing: Micah 4:1-5
Forgiveness and compassion: John 8:2-11
God’s Love: Psalm 139 or Roman’s 8:31-35
Community: Acts 2:43-47
God’s providence: Psalm 23
Session Outline
Introduction – Let’s Go Backpacking (15 minutes)
Welcome participants, taking time to make introductions as needed. Introduce
the session in these or similar words:
Welcome! How many of you have been backpacking or have been on long
hike? (Ask for a show of hands.) A trip like that takes preparation and takes
the right kind of supplies. What do you need to bring with you for an
overnight backpacking trip?
Ask for volunteers and record the items inside the backpack you drew on
Newsprint #1. Expect participants to brainstorm items such as tent, water
(and/or water sanitizing device), sleeping bag, sleeping pad, extra clothes, food,
snacks, cook stove, compass, map, GPS, toilet paper, towel, soap, toiletries,
hiking stick, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, first aid kit, etc. Choose a few of the items
and ask the group what would happen if you didn’t bring that item. Take water
for example: forgetting water would be very dangerous because you could
become dehydrated. Note that many items are absolutely necessary (like water
or food) and some are a matter personal preference (GPS, particular snacks,
walking stick).
Optional Activity: Instead of having the large group brainstorm items needed for
a backpacking trip, divide into groups and give each group a pen and paper. Set
a timer for two minutes and ask each group to brainstorm items needed for a
backpack. The object of the activity is to come up with the most unique items.
Each group should share aloud three of the items on their list. Be the judge of
items that could or should be brought. If the item is a good item, the group gets
one point. If that group is the only group to mention that item, the group
receives two points. Continue until all groups have shared their items. Give a
cheer to the group with the most points.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 5
Provide an introduction of the topic:
As disciples of Jesus, we are being sent on a journey. It is a challenging path
with hills to climb and people to help along the way. Our loving God gives us
everything we need for the journey. He gives us what we need to know Him
and to be supported as we live our faith and serve others as Jesus did. What
are some of the things that God gives to help us as disciples?
Record the brainstormed items on the backpack you drew in Newsprint #2.
Open the backpack and talk about the symbols that you placed in the bag earlier.
Canteen/ water bottle filled with water. This water represents our
baptism which strengthens our friendship with God, who is Trinity: God the
Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. The water of baptism also initiates into the
community of the Church.
Cell phone. This phone represents the community of believers that support
us as disciples. We have a network of people throughout the world who share
our love for God and our commitment to share the Good News. The people in
this room and all of the members of our parish are part of this community.
This community also includes those entrusted to guide us and teach us the
faith in special way such as the pope, cardinals, archbishops, and bishops.
Your parents, godparents, our pastor, parish priests, youth minister, deacons,
brothers, sisters, lay ministers, teachers, friends, and mentors are all part of
this network. This community also includes the communion of saints—all of
those who go before us in faith.
Bread and wine. The bread and wine represent the Eucharist and the other
sacraments that help us to experience the real presence of Jesus in our lives.
Crucifix. Jesus is our guide and our model as a disciple. This crucifix
represents a reminder of the depths of the love and sacrifice made for each of
us. It also shows us that he conquered death through his resurrection.
Catechism. Each generation of disciples strives to understand God and His
plan for our lives. The Catechism of Catholic Church records the teachings of
the Church and provides a sure way that we can learn and grow in our faith
and friendship with God.
Bible. The Bible shares the relationship between God and his people. This
relationship is founded in the love God has for each of us. The Bible is filled
with descriptions of God’s actions in the lives of God’s people and their
response. This includes stories, the commandments, the psalms, the words of
the prophets, Christ’s words in the Gospels, and the life of the early Church.
It is not easy to rely on the Bible in the way that God desires for us. It can
seem complicated or it can feel like it is about other people who lived a long
time ago. Sometimes we can be afraid of reading it wrong or of not
understanding what we read.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 6
The most important thing we need to know about the Bible is that the Word of
God shared with us in the Bible is a love story: a love story between God and
God’s people, which includes all of us. It is also a conversation—a dialogue of
prayer between God and us. The Bible helps us as disciples because we come
to know God better when we read, pray, and know the words of Holy
Scripture.
We read the Bible because we want to grow in our friendship with God. The
Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:
The Church “forcefully and specially exhorts all the Christian
faithful. . . to learn 'the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ' (Phil
3:8) by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. . . . Let them
remember, however, that prayer should accompany the reading of
Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and
man. For we speak to him when we pray; … (CCC #2653)
A couple of other items in this backpack help us on our journey.
(Remove the
compass from the backpack.)
Compass. Our holy father, Pope Benedict XVI, tells us that knowing Scripture
points us in the right direction:
My dear young friends, I urge you to become familiar with the Bible,
and to have it at hand so that it can be your compass pointing out the
road to follow. By reading it, you will learn to know Christ.
(Message of 21st World Youth Day http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_be
n-xvi_mes_20060222_youth_en.html, accessed August 27, 2010.)
(Remove the flashlight or headlamp from the backpack.)
Flashlight. We are also told by Scripture that God’s word shows us the way,
even when it seems dark:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:
105, NRSV)
Equipped with all of these supplies, let’s go for a hike and explore some of the
ways that the Bible can guide us as disciples.
Hike Stop One – Read the Bible (25 minutes)
Move to the first stop in your hike and share this introduction.
An important way to be guided by God’s Word is to read it! Many people
make reading the Bible a daily practice as a way to know God’s love and
God’s plan in their lives.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 7
We know that the Bible is divinely inspired and that it shares the truth with us
that we need for our salvation. We also know that God’s Word is
communicated to us through God’s people. It’s helpful to understand who was
communicating, who they were communicating with, and what form they
were using. When we read the Bible, we keep in mind some important
questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
Who was it written to?
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was
written?
What happened just before and just after this passage?
What is this about?
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
Divide the group into groups of five to eight participants with an adult leader in
each group. Pass out bibles and Handout 1, Who, What, What Now?, to each
person. Assign one book of the Bible to each group. Ask them to divide up to
read the introduction with these questions in mind. Each group should create a
report that answers as many of the above questions as they can.
Note to Leader: Some groups will struggle to answer all of the questions. For
some passages, the information is easy to find and for others it is hard.
Encourage groups to get as far as they can but to try and glean ideas from the
introductions that could help them to read and think about the passage. Group
leaders can be familiar with Resource 1, but they should not use these as an
answer guide to give information to their group.
After several minutes, ask groups to read their assigned passage and answer this
question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
Allow several minutes and then ask groups to report to the large group. Each
group should summarize the answers to the Who and What questions and share
their ideas about What now? Continue by sharing ways to read the Bible.
When we read the Bible, we bring our curiosity with us so that we ask
questions about we are reading. We should also strive to apply the Scripture
to our life and to see what the passage says to us today. As we apply the
words of Scripture to our life, we can rely on Church leaders and teachers to
help us to know how the Church reads and understands that passage.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 8
Each of us can make a commitment to reading the Bible: once a week, three
or four times a week, or every day. One way to live out this commitment is
through a Bible reading plan which is a schedule for reading a portion of
Scripture over time. The most common reading plan for us as Catholics is the
lectionary. One commitment you could make would be to read the readings
for Sunday during the week. Go to www.usccb.org to find the weekly
readings. Another way to plan to read Scripture is to use a reading plan that
you find in many Bibles or by using online resources. Some of these plans ask
you to make a commitment to reading Scripture every day or a certain
number of times each week for a period of time.
Hike Stop Two – Pray the Bible (20 minutes)
Move to the next stop in your hike and share this introduction:
Another way to be guided by God’s Word is to pray with passages of the
Bible. Prayer is turning our heart and attention towards God and allowing God
to touch our lives. Passages of the Bible can help us find our way in our
conversation with God.
Many Bible passages are prayers. This is especially true for the Psalms, which
express feelings and share the deepest concerns of God’s people. Handout 2,
Praying with the Bible, shares a variety of places to turn to in Scripture for
prayer. (Distribute the handout.)
Another way to pray with Scripture is use an ancient method of listening to
Scripture that is called the Lectio Divina, which means the Divine Word.
Choose one of these Scriptures and provide an overview of the Lectio process
using Handout 3, Lectio Divina. Refer to the newsprint you prepared. Lead the
group through a modified Lectio process using the four steps described below.









Listening to God’s call to justice: James 2:1-13
Listening to God’s call to trust: Mathew 6:25-34
Listening to God’s call to joy: Philippians 4:4-9
Listening to God’s call to pray: 1 Samuel 3:1-11
Listening to God’s call to holiness: 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Listening to God’s call to grow: Ephesians 3:15-21
Listening to God’s call to peace and sharing: Micah 4:1-5
Listening to God’s call to forgiveness and compassion: John 8:2-11
Listening to God’s call to know us completely: Psalm 139
Step One: Read (listening with the head). We will listen to the Scripture and
find a key word or phrase.
Ask the volunteer to read the Scripture. After a moment of silence, ask
participants to share the key word or phrase aloud.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 9
Step Two: Meditate (listening with the mind and heart). We will listen to the
Scripture and reflect on how the Scripture is speaking to us today.
Ask the volunteer to read the Scripture again. After a moment of silence, ask
participants to share in groups of three what they hear in the Scripture and how
it speaks to us today.
Step Three: Pray (listening with the heart’s deepest feeling). We will listen
to the Scripture to pray and discern the action that is called for in this word in
our lives.
Ask the volunteer to read the Scripture a third time. After a moment of silence,
ask participants to share prayers of petition aloud.
Step Four: Contemplate (listening with the eyes, hands and feet…all my
being). We will listen to the Scripture and ponder quietly to continue our
prayer.
Ask the volunteer to read the Scripture a fourth time. Allow two minutes of
silence and then close with this prayer:
Thank you, loving God, for your Word that guides, comforts, and challenges
us. Help this Word to continue to live in our hearts and our lives. We ask this
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hike Stop Three – Know the Bible (15 minutes)
Move to the next stop in your hike and share this introduction:
Another way to be guided by God’s Word is to know the Bible—to know
passages and stories by heart in a way that we can turn to Scripture in our
daily life.
Share an example of one or two Scripture passages that you have committed to
memory. Share a little bit about why you know these passages by heart.
Who can think of a passage that they know by heart?
Ask for volunteers to share passages aloud.
In Deuteronomy, we are guided to know God’s word, even to the point that
we are bound to it.
Read Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
From this command, the Jewish people developed a prayer custom of placing
the Word of God into leather boxes and binding the boxes to their bodies on
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 10
their left arm and forehead. These boxes are called Teffilin (also referred to as
Phylacteries). A blessing is said as the Word is bound to the left arm and
forehead as a way to remember that one should also be mindful of the Word
of God. Similarly, a Mezzuzah is a small parchment scroll with short Scripture
passages that is placed in a case and is attached to the doorpost of Jewish
homes. In that way, as we leave our home, we remember that we take God’s
Word with us. When we return, we remember that the Word of God is our
true home.
What Word guides you? What Word are you bound by? What Word is a
doorway for you in your path?
Distribute pieces of parchment and pens to the participants and show them the
resources that you gathered. Invite them to choose a Scripture that they would
place on a doorpost in their home and that they would try to “know by heart.”
Ask them to write the Scripture on the parchment. Provide a personal example
by sharing a Scripture and showing the parchment you created in advance.
Allow several minutes for participants to complete this task. Gather in groups of
three and ask participants to share with each other the Scripture they chose and
why they selected that particular “Word.” Gather as a large group for prayer,
and ask participants to bring their parchment with their Scripture with them as
they gather.
Closing Prayer and Reflection (15 minutes)
Gather
Prayer Leader: (begin with the Sign of the Cross)
God you have loved us from the beginning.
You give us everything we need to love you and to share your love.
You give us your Holy Word in the Bible.
Help us to know your Word and rely upon it in our lives.
Take away any fear, hesitation or doubts.
Guide us to become completely caught up in the story of your love for us.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Listen
Gather in a circle. Ask the participants to place their parchment with their
Scripture on the ground in front of them. Ask for their reverence in this next
exercise. Pass the Bible around the circle in silence allowing each person to hold
the Bible before passing it to the next person. Return the Bible to the prayer table
at the center of the circle.
Ask the participants to pick up their parchment and share the Scripture passage
that is on their parchment, one at a time.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 11
Allow a moment of silence.
Ask the reader to take the Bible from the table and proclaim Isaiah 55:10-12.
Allow a moment of silence.
Respond
Invite the participants to be seated. Continue with these instructions:
Prayer Leader:
We have heard God’s loving Word proclaimed. We are reminded in the words
of Isaiah that God’s Word does not come back empty. God’s Word is powerful.
What can we do to grow in the way that we know and rely upon God’s Word
in the Bible?
Take a moment to write a personal commitment on the back of your
parchment. Choose one thing you can do to know and rely on the Scriptures
in your life. For example, you could choose to pray with Scripture once a
week. You could choose to read from Scripture each day. You could choose to
talk to someone about the questions you have about the Bible. Choose
something that is true for you that you would be willing to do. Make this
commitment your prayer to our loving God.
Allow a few minutes for writing with instrumental music playing in the
background.
Go Forth
Ask participants to stand and to hold their parchment in front of them with their
hands extended (as if receiving a gift). Extend your hands in a sign of blessing
and lead this prayer:
Loving God,
Bless this community gathered in your name.
Bless these words of Holy Scripture.
Strengthen us to rely upon your word and to be guided by it.
Help us to know your Word through the teaching of your Holy Church.
We want to know you better.
Give us endurance to live our commitments to you and help us grow in
friendship with you.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus, who is the Word of God. Amen.
Sing/Play “Love Has Come” to close the prayer.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 12
Announcements and Refreshments (5 minutes)
Make any needed announcements, and invite participants to enjoy some
refreshments.
Websites mentioned in this session were accessed successfully on August 17, 2010.
This session was written by Tom East, Director for the Center for Ministry
Development, Gig Harbor, Washington. Tom also teaches the Evangelization &
Catechesis course in the Certificate Program. Fr. Roy Shelly, Ph.D., Director of
Formation and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Monterey, served as
theological consultant on this session.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 13
Who, What, What Now?
Handout 1
Group Assignments
Book
Group 1:
1Corinthians
Group 2:
Mark
Group 3:
Joshua
Group 4:
Ruth
Group 5:
Ecclesiastes
Passage
1:3-7
12:41-44
1:9
1:1-19
3:1-8
Instructions
Step 1: Read the introduction of the book assigned to your group. (Divide
the paragraphs among the group as needed.)
Step 2: Using the information in the introduction, answer these questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
Who was it written to?
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was written?
What happened just before and just after this passage?
What is this about?
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
Step 3: Read the passage and answer this question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 14
Handout 2
Scriptural Prayers
The Bible is full of prayers that could help you to pray
the occasions of your life!
The following list of prayers and themes could help you
to pray with Scripture. This is just a sampling—there are
so many!
Psalms for Prayer
Gospels
Psalm 16 – Confidence in God
Prayer of Peter – John 21:15,16,17
Psalm 17 – Protection
Magnificat – Canticle of Mary – Luke
Psalm 23 – The Good Shepherd
1:46-55
Psalm 27 - Praise and Protection
Simeon’s Canticle (traditional as part of
Psalm 32 - Forgiveness
night prayer) Luke 2:29-32
Psalm 30 – Thanksgiving
Psalm 31 – Trust in God
Letters
Old Testament
The Love of God – Romans 8:37-39
Thanksgiving – 1 Corinthians 1:4-5, 8
Canticle of the three youth in praise of
The Peace of God – Galatians 1:3-5
Creation – Daniel 3:57- 90 (Use just a
God Working Through Us – Ephesians
portion at a time.)
3:20-21
David’s Song of Praise to God – 1
God Keeps Us from Falling – Jude 24-25
Chronicles 29:10-13
Prayer for Harmony – Romans 15:5-6,
13, 33
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 15
Handout 3
Lectio Divina —A Way to Personal Prayer
Get Ready

Choose a Scripture or use one of the readings or Gospel from
the coming Sunday’s liturgy.

Find a place and a quiet time to pray with the Scripture.

Open the word—find your selected Scripture in your Bible.

Quiet your heart—breathe deeply and ask God to help you pray this Scripture.
Step 1. Read (listening with the head)
Read the Scripture and reflect on these questions:
What does the Scripture text say? What word, phrase, or sentence speaks to me? What connects
to my life?
Step 2. Meditate (listening with the mind and heart)
Read the Scripture again and reflect on these questions:
What does this text say to me? What does God ask of me in this text?
Step 3. Pray (listening with the heart’s deepest feeling)
What does the text mean to me? What do I need to do because of God’s call?
What prayer does this call me to? Do I need to give thanks? Do I need to ask forgiveness? How
do I need to change? Are there things I need to stop doing? Are there things I need to begin
doing? Do I need to ask for God’s blessings and strength? Conclude this step by praying for
courage to act on God’s word.
Step 4. Contemplate (listening with the eyes, hands and feet…all my being)
Read the Scripture again and rest in God’s Word—sit quietly and think about and feel this
reading. Reflect prayerfully on these questions: What do I commit to because of God’s Word
today? What do I need to do? Continue your prayer and give thanks to God for his loving Word.
Some Suggested Readings

Listening to God’s call to justice: James 2:1-13

Listening to God’s call to trust: Mathew 6:25-34

Listening to God’s call to joy: Philippians 4:4-9

Listening to God’s call to pray: 1 Samuel 3:1-11

Listening to God’s call to holiness: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Listening to God’s call to grow: Ephesians 3:15-21

Listening to God’s call to peace and sharing: Micah 4:1-5

Listening to God’s call to forgiveness and compassion: John 8:2-11

Listening to God’s call to know us completely: Psalm 139
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 16
Resource 1
Group 1: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Step 2: Using the information in the introduction, answer these questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
Paul
Who was it written to?
The Church of Corinth
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was written?
This was written during the time of the early Church. The people of the Church of
Corinth had already received Paul’s first letter (1 Corinthians). Something happened
that disturbed Paul—something for which the people in Corinth needed to repent.
What happened just before and just after this passage?
Paul began his letter. He continues his letter and talks about postponing his visit.
What is this about?
Paul is giving thanks to God. He is also acknowledging the suffering of the people and
telling them of his suffering.
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
This is a letter.
Step 3: Read the passage and answer this question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
Suffering is part of being a disciple—we can thank God for everything, even for the
challenges and difficulties in our lives that make us rely on him more. We can make our
sufferings a prayer and a way to be connected to other people who suffer.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 17
Resource 2
Group 2: Mark 12:41-44
Step 2: Using the information in the introduction, answer these questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
It is attributed to Mark – author is unknown.
Who was it written to?
Christians, most likely those living in Rome.
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was written?
They were experiencing persecution. New members were becoming disciples—they
needed to know Jesus and know what he asks of disciples.
What happened just before and just after this passage?
Before this passage, Jesus was teaching about the condemnation that the scribes will
receive. After the passage, he was predicting the destruction of the Temple.
What is this about?
Jesus is watching people donating money and he comments on the generosity of the
widow.
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
This is a narrative, a story that describes the actions of Jesus.
Step 3: Read the passage and answer this question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
Jesus is telling us to give not from our abundance but from our lives. He is describing
the way of discipleship—to follow him is to give our whole self.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 18
Resource 3
Group 3: Joshua 1:9
Step 2: Using the information in the introduction, answer these questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
Probably a group of authors representing the same point of view as the authors of
Deuteronomy.
Who was it written to?
The Jewish people at the time of the end of the Babylonian exile.
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was written?
The Babylonian exile is ending.
What happened just before and just after this passage?
The death of Moses is remembered just before this passage. After this passage, Joshua is
preparing for an invasion.
What is this about?
After all that has happened, we should have courage.
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
The style of literature is legend with a historical basis and stories composed to teach
lessons.
Step 3: Read the passage and answer this question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
We should be brave and we should know that God is with us even when we experience
change and doubt.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 19
Resource 4
Group 4: Ruth 1:1-19
Step 2: Using the information in the introduction, answer these questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
We don’t know the authors but we know that it began as an oral history. The authors’
perspective is the same as the author of Deuteronomy.
Who was it written to?
It was written to the Jewish people around 900-800 B.C.
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was written?
Two different groups probably heard the stories differently. After David was king, the
story could be used to teach about people living faithfully and being blessed. During the
time of the return from the Exile people were returning with foreign wives and this
passage supported the idea that foreigners should be welcomed.
What happened just before and just after this passage?
This is the beginning of the story. After this passage, Naomi changes her name to Mara,
which means bitterness.
What is this about?
It is a story of a daughter in law who shows amazing loyalty and dedication to her
mother in law even after her husband dies.
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
A legend composed to teach a lesson.
Step 3: Read the passage and answer this question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
Ruth is faithful even when she doesn’t have to be faithful. This is the kind of relationship
we are called to have with God—this is the kind of faithfulness God shows us.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 20
Resource 5
Group 5: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Step 2: Using the information in the introduction, answer these questions:
Who?
Who wrote this passage?
Attributed to King Solomon but the author is unknown. Probably lived in the 3rd
century BC.
Who was it written to?
Young Jewish students in Jerusalem.
What?
What was happening in the lives of God’s people when this passage was written?
Bad things were happening to good people—the author was puzzled by this. This was
written before the Jewish people had developed a belief in the afterlife.
What happened just before and just after this passage?
The author was reflecting on wisdom and foolishness before this passage. After this
passage, he continues to write about time.
What is this about?
It is about time—naming that there is a different time for everything. It is also about the
mystery of God’s plan.
What kind of literature is this? (Is it a poem, a story, a letter, a song?)
This is a lesson, something that a teacher would share with students. The style of the
lesson is presented as a response to questions.
Step 3: Read the passage and answer this question:
What now?
What do you think this passage might say to us today?
Everything exists in God’s time. We get confused by all the things that happen to us, but
in God’s wisdom, everything happens according to its time and purpose. We need to
trust in God always.
Guided by the Word
Copyright © Center for Ministry Development, 2010. All rights reserved.
Page 21