email:  whitpresby@mindspring.com

Class V, Fall 2001            “On Earth as it is in Heaven”

 Praying with the Bible

Focus:  Connecting with God: 

 1.  Make sure everyone knows everyone else’s name.

 2.. Opening Prayer: Spontaneous, Gracious God, help us to remember that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word from you, make us hungry to eat that bread daily, that your kingdom may truly come in our lives and in your world. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 3.. Reflect and review: comments on previous classes.

Prayer Emphasis:  “Our Father who art in heaven.”

Old Testament Class:  “Hallowed Be Thy Name”

New Testament                        "Thy Kingdom Come"

Interpreting the Bible                "Thy Will Be done"

Today:  Praying with the Bible                "On Earth as it is in heaven" and we making the most direct connect connection yet between heaven and earth.

 4.  Praying with the Bible.  Lectio Divina (write that on the board).

We are used to “studying” the Bible or reading it with a devotional aid (hold up samples of the Daily Family Devotional or These Days magazine).  Lectio is different, it is a way of reading and praying directly with the Bible that enables the prayer to sense God’s word to him/her with each session of Lectio.  What we have done so far in Daily Bread is to help us to understand what God is saying through the Bible.  Now we are learning a new tool to help us experience God directly through the Bible, a word of God to each of us directly.  Note the emphasis on “you,” “experience” and “directly.”  This is bringing heaven to earth, or for us to pray:  “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Each of us, Geoff, Marilyn & Paul, tell our own personal stories of praying with or being spoken to through the Bible.

 5.  Hand out the instruction sheet and go over it.  Be sure to tell them there is no right or wrong word or answer.  There will be periods of silence today too, so be prepared for that.  No one will be required to share what comes to them.  Anyone can pass if they would like.

 In going over the sheet, particularly in the “prayer” section, we might want to add, “On Earth as it is in heaven"

 6.  Practice I – Psalm 23

It is read twice, more slowly the second time.

Then 2 minutes of silence and prayer

Then share the word or phrase that speaks to you.

Read again by a different person, preferably opposite sex from first reading.

Do “Meditation” phase.  Silent prayer for 3-4 minutes.

Those who wish, share their insights.  Those who don’t, pass.

Fourth reading by yet another person.

Silent prayer, following the guidelines.  5 minutes

Those who wish, share their calling, or course of action.

Contemplation for 2 minutes, explaining that if they do this on their own, they may take as long as they wish for this or any other part.

7.  Practice II – Matthew 7:7-11

8.  Practice III – Galatians 3:23-27

9.  Closing statement.  Lectio is a way, proven over the centuries, to let God speak directly to us through the Bible.  We hope that through the Daily Bread program you all are more comfortable letting the Bible speak to you.  Also that you can hear the message of the Bible more clearly.  It is our hope and prayer that the Bible will be able to function as regular, even daily, spiritual nourishment, Daily Bread.  We hope you will begin to get glimpses of the Bible nourishing you in a new way.

10.  Evaluation.  Hand out the forms, have them fill them in and hand them back.

Closing prayer.