This is the last week of our summer worship series based on Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy Jill-Levine, a Jewish New Testament scholar who teaches at Vanderbilt. Worship this Sunday will be rooted in the Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus ( Luke 16:19-31).
Outline of Summer Stories: A Series on the Parables of Jesus
June 26 Luke 15:4-32 Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son
July 3 Luke 10:25-37 Good Samaritan
July 10 Matthew 13:33 Kingdom of Yeast in the Dough
July 17 Matthew 13:45-46 Pearl of Great Price
July 24 Mark 4:30-32 Mustard Seed
July 31 Luke 18:9-14 Pharisee and the Tax Collector
August 7 Matthew 20:1-16 Laborers in the Vineyard
August 14 Luke 18:1-8 Widow and the Judge
August 21 Luke 16:19-31 Rich Man and Lazarus
This summer we introduced Lectio Divina as our discipline for searching scripture in our Kitchen Tables each week. We did this because a number of people shared in their Deep Commitments a desire to go deeper in their own work of studying scripture. Lectio Divina has been transformational in our lives as pastors and we hope our community of faith was ready for this next step together.
We invite those of you who read our blog and who tried this on your own to answer the following questions this week:
1. How did you practice searching scripture this summer? (i.e. how often? not at all?)
2. What felt meaningful about searching scripture with Lectio Divina? What felt challenging? If you used another method please let us know!
3. In what ways has searching scripture over the summer helped you grow in faith?
We would love for you to share your responses and email them to Linda ([email protected]). We don’t want names with responses. We’re simply looking for constructive feedback on how this process for searching scripture has been received.
This Week
Try one final Lectio Divina process on this week’s parable ( Luke 16:19-31).
Outline of Lectio Divina Process
Lectio Divina requires a degree of quiet. Groups meeting in public will need to consider how to adapt this process for your contexts.
• First Reading (lectio) – Invite one person to slowly read the biblical passage as if it were a long awaited love letter addressed to them. As the first person reads, the Kitchen Table is simply invited to listen.
• Second Reading (lectio) – Allow a brief moment of silence and then have a second person read the same biblical text. Again, try to read slowly and expectantly. As the second person reads, the Kitchen Table is invited to notice a word or phrase that resonates, attracts or even disturbs.
• Expressing (oratio) – Allow for about a minute of silence after the reading and then invite everyone to share the word or phrase that attracted their attention. Please only share the word or phrase aloud. Do not expand on why the word or phrase attracted your attention.
• Third Reading (lectio) – When everyone has shared a word or phrase, have a third person read the same biblical text aloud. Invite your Kitchen Table to allow the image or phrase to sink in slowly and deeply during this third reading. Listen for what the word or phrase might have to offer you at this point in your life. Following the third reading, allow for 3-6 minutes of reflective silence (meditatio). During the reflective silence the Kitchen Table is encouraged to prayerfully consider how this word or phrase might relate to their lives. How does this word or phrase inspire you? How does it challenge you?
• Expressing (oratio) – When the reflective silence concludes, invite your Kitchen Table to share as openly and honestly as they are able about what thoughts, wonderings and learnings came to them. How does the word or phrase speak into your life? What questions do you have as a result of this prayerful reading? What challenges do you feel?
• Fourth Reading (lectio) – Once everyone has had an opportunity to share, if time allows, have a fourth person read the biblical text aloud. Invite your Kitchen Table to reflect on an intention they have for the week ahead in relationship to this biblical text.
• Expressing (oratio) – Invite your Kitchen Table to share their intentions aloud after the fourth reading is completed and a brief period of silence is held.
Close with prayer.