posted
As per the discussion in this thread, this is the first meeting of the Hatrack Bible Study Group. Welcome, and help yourself to refreshments.
The method we’re going to be using this week is modified from a form of lectio divina that I learned hanging out with Benedictines. I’ve adjusted it to work (I hope) with a group that’s dispersed in both geography and time. There will be a different “assignment” for each of three days, and then beginning on the fourth day we’ll open up the conversation to post about people’s experience with the process.
Ground rules – This is not a debate thread. Please do not challenge anyone’s personal reflection. In parallel to that, please do not state your personal reflection as if it were binding on other people.
Use any Bible translation that you like. I’ll post the text for those of you who don’t have a Bible, but feel free to use another translation if you’d prefer.
No previous experience with the Bible, particular belief about the Bible, or religious faith is required. Anyone is welcome to participate.
Please hold commentary/questions about the process until Friday, or start another thread for them.
If you plan on participating, it would be a good idea to start before reading other people’s responses. So read these instructions and follow them before reading the rest of the thread.
Find a quiet place, where you will be undisturbed for at least five minutes (more if you can). Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Try to clear your mind of distractions. Now open your eyes and read the text slowly. Read out loud if you can, if that would be disturbing to others, read “out loud” in your head so that you can hear the individual words.
Sit in silence for a time. I usually let this go about one minute with a group, but since you don’t have anyone to time it, just go with what feels comfortable. (If you’re not used to silence, go a little longer than feels comfortable.)
Read the text again, slowly and (if practicable) out loud.
Sit in silence for another minute. In this silence, listen for the word or phrase that sticks in your head.
Come back to Hatrack, and post that word or phrase in this thread. Post only the word or phrase – no explanations, no commentary.
As you go through your day, hold onto that word or phrase. Repeat it to yourself, as opportunity presents. Don’t worry too much about what it means or why you chose it, just sit with it for a day.
Come back tomorrow for further instructions!
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
quote:As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’
These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
posted
My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?’Posts: 17 | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
My soul thirsteth for to see God, for to see the living God; when shall I come and appear before thee, O God? (JST Psalms 42:2)
Posts: 2655 | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
Again, if you’re participating, read and follow the instructions before reading further in the thread.
Find a quiet place, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Try to clear your mind of distractions. Open your eyes and read the text slowly, out loud, if possible, otherwise “out loud” in your head.
Sit in silence. If you had trouble with the silence yesterday, try to go a little longer today. Otherwise, as long as you feel comfortable.
Read the text again, slowly and (if practicable) out loud.
Sit in silence again. Then come back to Hatrack and in one or two sentences post the answer to the question, “What do you believe God is saying to you today?” (If you don't believe in God, feel free to phrase this as “what is the text saying to you today?”) No need to specify which of those questions you are answering, and again, please refrain from commentary or explanations.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't really think of this in terms of what God is saying to me today- more along the lines of what is it in this scripture is relevant to me today. Along those lines what I get out of the Psalm is this: There are times when doubt may set in or just when others may question your faith. There is no need to be shaken by such experiences- remember what it was that led to your faith in the first place, and be patient. One doesn't need a "spiritual experience" daily to retain hope in God.
D'oh! I just reread and saw the one or two sentences rule. Oh well, I guess I don't follow directions very well.
By the way Dkw- good call on the whole study group thing.
posted
Though I may (or may not) go with the throng, it is my personal relationship with God that is my strength and my hope. I should work to strengthen this relationship to ease my disquieted soul.
Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I feel like my relationship with God has waned. I long for that close connection that I have felt before and I am given hope that I will feel it again.
Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I feel as if I am at a cross roads, and I need some direction. But I don't know how, or why, or what.
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Tears and sorrow are as valid an expression of emotion as happiness is. In fact, the grief can be as healthy and sustaining as the joy. I should not cut myself off from either end of the human spectrum.
(sorry tht is three sentences)
Posts: 11265 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
You can't always live on a spiritual *high*. That the moments of great joy, of great connection, of outpouring of the spirit may be brief in relation to the relative placidness [maybe complacence?] of everyday life, but that these moments are enough to sustain. But that doesn't mean a life of passiveness. That what matters is that you are receptive to the "once again."
Posts: 3423 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
