Reddit mentions of Lectio Divina―The Sacred Art: Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer (The Art of Spiritual Living)

This is a thought for your current bible study, rather than going online.

Recently a student-led bible study began at my university chaplaincy with students who don't really know scripture well enough for someone to read it so they took up the practice of Lectio Divina and everybody is benefiting from it greatly.

If it's done right it takes the burden off of one person and lets the group actually sink really deeply into the text and into meditation on the text and then to share your experiences and thoughts with one another.

>This method of prayer goes back to the early monastic tradition. There were not bibles for everyone and not everyone knew how to read. So the monks gathered in chapel to hear a member of the community reading from the scripture. In this exercise they were taught and encouraged to listen with their hearts because it was the Word of God that they were hearing.

The idea as outlined below is that a passage is read in the group three times. In between each reading there is a time of silence for each person to think about and meditate on what was read. Following the three readings you open up and talk.

>Lectio Divina can also be an effective form for group prayer. After a passage is read, there can be some extended silence for each person to savor what he or she has heard, particularly noting whether any word or phrase became a special focus of attention. Sometimes groups invite members, if they so desire, to share out loud the word or phrase that struck them. This is done without discussion. Then a different person from the group would read the passage again with a pause for silence. Different emphases might be suggested after each reading: What gift does this passage lead me to ask from the Lord? What does this passage call me to do? The prayer can be concluded with an Our Father.

The idea as I have come to understand it is that you read it multiple times and just wait for a passage, sentence, or word to shine out at you. Don't look for it. Don't go into the reading hoping to find answers to some question or problem that's burning in your head--leave yourself open to what God wants to reveal in the reading and it will be revealed. Maybe one word strikes you as being particularly beautiful--well, when the time comes tell the group and engage discussion.

I only bring it up because it has been really effective and good for all of us who don't have someone leading it. We also wanted to engage with it in a prayerful way--praying the scriptures, not just reading them.

I also mention it because I really believe in the efficacy and importance of being gathered in person for this sort of thing. I don't believe the internet and virtual ways of coming together, video or not, can force us to face one another or be in community in quite the same way as is necessary for this sort of practice. Others may disagree.

Here are some resources:
http://www.amazon.com/Lectio-Divina--The-Sacred-Art-Heart-centered/dp/1594733007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383071024&sr=8-1&keywords=lectio+divina

http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html

http://www.ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/what-lectio-divina