“You are invited to an encounter with Jesus, Word of God made flesh, as an event of grace that runs through the reading and the hearing of the Sacred Scriptures” (The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church).
Welcome to Carlene and Erin, Bible Study Evangelista’s newest friends of the show!
Study Audio
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is according to a Augustinian* personality approach.
Listen (Receive the Word)
“If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).
Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)
Spend some time emphasizing each word of this verse in turn, like this:
“If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).
“If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).
“If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).
“If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).
“If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed” (Joh 8:31).
After you have emphasized each word, return to the Listen section and read it again. Where do you sense this verse is speaking about the events of your own life? What is God saying to you through this verse? Does it connect at all to what you have sensed through His word in other areas recently?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
In your journal or on your journal page (get a free page to the right), write down what you believe the Holy Spirit is saying to you: Lord, I sense you are saying that I should…
But I worry about…
I need your help here…
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Help me, Lord, to do whatever you tell me!
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*LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.
Episode Resources
My newest book with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers: Ignite, Read the Bible Like Never Before, available for pre-order with a 30% discount using code SPARK here.
Ignite will be out August 17. Get a preview of the introduction and first chapter here.
Read the Transcript
You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Kristie Hynniman, who does our transcriptions for you.
Ask Me Anything, (Most) Wednesdays, now on YouTube
*Potty mouth alert at about 10:00
I have a beginner question and almost embarrassed to ask it. You mention often of turning to scripture when contemplating an issue or desire. Do I randomly open the bible to any page or is there a way to find a specific book that would address my question? Thank you Sonja for being my bible teacher. I am currently in RCIA classes and this is all new to me. I am falling in love though.. <3
I forbid you to feel embarrassed about something so important :) Always use the daily readings when looking for daily guidance, because this is the Holy Spirit’s word to the Church – that’s me and you – on every given day. Here are some resources for the daily readings.
Online:
http://universalis.com/mass.htm
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072617.cfm
http://www.sacredspace.ie/
Print:
http://us.magnificat.net/flipbook/US/holy_week/
https://www.giveusthisday.org/Home/LookInside
https://myaccount.wau.org/signup
Apps for your phone:
Free! – Laudate https://itunes.apple.com/…/laudate-1-catholic-…/id499428207…
https://itunes.apple.com/…/sacred-space-daily…/id1050192048…
http://www.ibreviary.org/en
Sonja, I do think God has uniquely gifted and equipped you to minister on this father(and mother) wound. I am so grateful that the insight and information is forthcoming. I am looking forward to September 18th.