Using Lectio Divina with Teen Groups
Follow this step-by-step approach to learn more about contemplation in small groups.
| posted 7/16/2007
| Topics: | Contemplation, Meditation, Prayer, Reflection, Teenagers, Youth group |
| Filters: | Facilitator, Lead, Leader, Teacher, Youth group |
| Purpose: | Discipleship |
| References: |  |
| Date Added: | July 16, 2007 |
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I announce that we will have a few minutes of silence before I start reading again. (Usually, I like to have various people read, but I decide that on this occasion I will read the passage every time. I'm aware that not everyone in our group likes to read out loud. I'm also springing the whole lectio divina process on them as a group anyway, so I don't want to spring reading out loud on them, too. Some people get so anxious about reading out loud that they have a hard time concentrating on prayer.)
After a short silence, I say: "Now I'll read our passage again. Listen for the word or phrase that stands out for you. What word is God giving you?" Three times I read: "'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than other ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue."
Continuing in meditation, contemplation, and prayerWe sit in silence for a couple of minutes. Then I ask people to say the word or phrase that God has given them. Answers include "good people," "Celebrate with me," "found," and "Count on it" (my answer).
I explain the next step, meditatio, as chewing on that word. "Don't move forward yet," I explain. "Just chew on the word with your mind and pay attention to how you feel as a result." Then I read the passage two more times.
After some silence, I invite people to share what they are experiencing. One of the students identifies "rescued life" with a sense of newness, or a new beginning. Another associates "joy in heaven" with the idea of a party. "Lost sheep" brings another student into feelings of sadness. As I meditate on "Count on it," I feel a solidity, firmness, confidence, and surety. Actually, I imagine an Egyptian pyramid with a strong foundation that cannot be moved.
Next, I explain that the time has come to talk with God in prayer about what it means—this word and this emotion—and to listen for his response. I read the passage again. In the minutes that follow, I sense from God that Jesus' words "Count on it" are a challenge to me to have faith in what he says. God seems to be saying: "Listen! These words of Jesus are sure things. You can count on those words, and you can count on the one who said them." I find the time of prayer to be comforting and even joyful as I bask in the solidness and reliability of Jesus' words.
We don't share our prayers out loud, but after a few more minutes, I encourage everyone to set all words, images, and feelings aside to spend the last minutes in contemplation—simply resting in God's loving arms.
Finally, I close the lectio divina time with a brief prayer: "Lord God, thank you for your Word, which is inspired and inspiring. You've spoken to each of us tonight, given each one of us a message through your Word. May we carry it with us as we move into the week and often be brought back to the feeling of resting in your loving arms. In Jesus' name, amen."
FeedbackWe don't take the time to go around the group and share because time is short and I want to respect their privacy. But as the seniors are putting on their coats to leave, I let them know they can e-mail me about their experiences this evening. Here's an example of the e-mails I received:
Tony,
I just wanted to tell you what I thought of the prayer that we did. I really, really like it, but it frustrates me so badly. I mean, here I am trying my darndest to sit and be at one with God and truly be quiet, and I find my mind wandering to subjects like dresses for the Sweetheart Dance. That's right—I couldn't be quiet with God 'cause I was preoccupied with dresses. What a joke. I think we should do that more often, though. I know it would be helpful for me to practice being quiet with myself and with God. So there you have it: I loved it and was frustrated for most of the time.
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