Sunday’s Bible Reading: John 15:1-8 (NRSV)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
NRSV
Bible Study Method: Lectio Divina (Latin for Divine Reading)
- Pray
- Read the Bible aloud.
Listen to the whole thing, try not to focus on any word or phrase, just try to let yourself get the overall meaning. What is the BIG picture? What is the overall story? What does the person who wrote this want you to know? - Read the Bible aloud again.
Listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at you. Is there something that makes you feel uncomfortable? Or something that encourages you? Is there a single word that sticks in your mind, or a phrase, or a sentence, or a concept? - Read the Bible aloud one last time
Is it the same word? A different word? - Hold silence for five minutes.
Let the Bible reading interact with your thoughts. Instead of trying to still your mind, instead of trying to be “holy” and only think about the Bible, give yourself permission to let your mind drift… does the word or phrase or concept connect with your life or experience today? Is God trying to tell you something? What might that be? - Close with prayer… end.
Let whatever word or phrase has come to you sit as a gift within you. It may not be for anyone else, it may be a gift from God to you. It may bring confirmation of something you’ve been dwelling on, it may bring consolation to a matter which has been troubling you, or it may bring desolation if the phrase is challenging you and your life. Give thanks to God in all circumstances.
Optional extra for Wednesday Bible study group:
If you would like to talk about your thoughts, we take time to go around the group and share a single word, or a single sentence that has struck us from the reading. Do not try to explain it. Just share it as a gift to others – to be accepted or rejected as any gift may be accepted or rejected. Everyone’s voice should be heard. What themes of encouragement have popped up?
We end with prayer of thanks for God’s encouragement.