When we read, we gather information. What God intends is for us to experience transformation. The most catalytic spiritual practice is reflecting on scripture. Keep in mind that reflection is different than reading. Reading brings information. Reflection brings transformation.
1) Word Emphasis
Read the verse over and over again, but emphasize each word in the verse one at a time. After each word, stop and write down your thoughts, even if it’s just a word or two. What comes to mind when you think of that word? What synonyms come to mind? What antonyms?
2) Paraphrase It
Read a verse or passage over and over. think about what God is saying in the passage. Put it into your own words. What is God trying to reveal to you as you put the passage in your own words?
3) Personalize It
Insert your name in place of the pronouns or nouns used in the passage as though God were saying it directly to you. Read through the passage several times with your name inserted. Reflect on how God would have you apply the verse to your life.
4) Character Experience
In the character experience method, you picture what is happening in the story from the perspective of one of the characters in the passage. It works well if you read the passage, then write a journal entry based on what you (the character in the passage) just experienced How did you feel? What are you seeing? What is your response? What is going through your mind as the events unfold? How is your life impacted? Etc.
5) Personal Experience
Place yourself in the passage. Experience the passage as if YOU were there - your personality, make-up, etc. It works well if you read the passage, then write a journal entry based on that you just experienced. How did you feel? What are you seeing? What is your response? What is going through your mind as the events unfold? How is your life impacted?
6) Lectio Divina
This method of scripture reflection invites us into God’s presence to listen for His particular word for us, at this particular moment in time.
- Read through the passage three times, more slowly each time.
- First reading, listen to the overall passage.
- Second reading, begin to listen to a specific word or phrase that jumps out at you.
- Third reading, hone in on that word or phrase that jumps out more than the others.
- Allow a period of silence to reflect on that single word or short phrase.
- What might God be trying to reveal to me through this passage/phrase/word? How might God be using it to shape me
- What is the meaning of the word? WHat comes to mind as you think of it? What is God communicating to you through the word?
- How is God calling you to respond to what you just heard?
7) Artist Method
- What speaks to my heart? Draw a heart beside the word that speaks to your heart.
- What new thought or idea comes to me? Draw a lightbulb beside the new thought or idea.
- What does scripture more me to do? Draw a hand beside the action you want to take.
8) Whats
Write down your answer to these three questions:
- What was the scripture about?
- What did it say to me?
- What do I need to do about it?
9) SOAP
- Scripture: Read the bible
- Observation: What do you notice about the verses? What do you think the main message is? What verses, words, or ideas jump out at you?
- Application: Ask God how he wants you to apply the verse to your own life.
- Prayer: Pray for yoursefl and/or for others.
10) Discovery Questions
- What does God want me to understand/think?
- What does God want me to believe?
- What does God want me to desire?
- What does God want me to do?