13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
This is a repost from April 26, 2008:
We were in Houston last week and got to attend Sunday service at the Houston Vineyard. Our friend and pastor, Michael Palandro took the preaching time to go into teaching mode and did a wonderful overview of Lectio Divina (an ancient form of Bible Study).
Afterwards he spent time with the community doing a hands-on practical use of the model. It was exciting to hear how God was speaking to so many people in the congregation in just a few minutes of contemplative reading.
I have taken his outline and the Lectio Divina and have adapted it into a method that has worked for me. So without further ado, here is my attempt at transformative scripture reading:
It occurred to me that as we are each tasked to live out the scriptures it would be helpful to have some simple tools at hand to do so. So what follows is a simple outline of a way to come to the text in a transformative way.
What follows is a combination of multiple approaches that I think works best for me. You may have your own way, or you may choose to use or adapt this way for your use. Again, these are simple tools, not rules on what you should do. This is just one way to come to the scriptures during your weekly reflection time.
Transformative Scripture Reading
Prepare: Many times when coming to the scriptures we prepare for an informational reading of the text in a sense putting the text, its meaning and cultural significance under strong analysis, as if we are examining it under a powerful microscope.
We use tools to probe it, resources to examine it and the words, thoughts and ideas of previous biblical experts to reason with it. In transformative reading of scripture it is as if the tables are now turned. Rather than the studious lab technician, we become the examined. We are matched up word for word and brought under the microscope of the word of God.
Only when we come to the text with this mindset – ready for examination, analysis, reasoning and probing – can we experience the transformative power of the words, thoughts and ideas within.
So it is with this mindset that we choose to begin our survey of the text. It may help to sing some worship music or say a centering prayer during this time, preparing to read the text.
Read: Next, select the scripture you will be reading and only choose to focus on a few digestible lines. Maybe that is just three phrases or so. Make sure you are not pulling the text out of context. Read the scripture at least three times making sure to pay attention to certain words or phrases that catch your eye. Remember you are trying to hear from God in your reading so pay attention.
Dialogue : Take the words, thoughts and ideas that you get during your reading time and really Listen and meditate on them as a message from God. Contemplate about the implications of the message to your life, your friends, family’s, and your community’s lives and the world around you.
God will speak to you on multiple levels at this time, and you may respond back to him as well. This is a good time to thank him for his words and the implications of them. You may also want to disagree, or cry out to him. This is a dynamic and fluid part of the process that may permeate throughout the rest of your survey and beyond.
Internalize/Actualize: Now having heard from God make his words part of your life. Internalize the message and let your actions, thoughts and ideas reflect having spent this time with God. Take what you learned for the community to the community and share the implications of the scripture with family and friends.
The Truck is Loaded to the Gills (click here for more pics)