Using Lectio Divina with Teen Groups
Follow this step-by-step approach to learn more about contemplation in small groups.
| posted 7/16/2007
| Topics: | Contemplation, Meditation, Prayer, Reflection, Teenagers, Youth group |
| Filters: | Facilitator, Lead, Leader, Teacher, Youth group |
| Purpose: | Discipleship |
| References: |  |
| Date Added: | July 16, 2007 |
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Exodus 14:14
A small group of high school seniors meets at our house on Monday evenings. Every week, they gather with Julie and me on our couches in the basement, munching popcorn and drinking Diet Coke. We've spent the year trying to get our arms around the entire Bible, reading a chapter each week from Walt Wangerin's novelized version called The Book of God.
But deep in the heart of a Minnesota winter, our group has fallen into a rut. Everyone comes every week, but most aren't reading the chapter consistently. We've been reading from the Old Testament for almost six months. Although we're just about to make the turn into the New Testament, I figure a one-week diversion will help. After our college updates and a brief report on Jeremiah from Katy (the only person who read the chapter), it's almost nine o'clock. We're ready to start lectio divina.
The preparationAll the members of our small group have done lectio divina before, so they know the drill. I start by reminding them about contemplative prayer: "We've all got a lot on our minds tonight, me included. Chad's got a math quiz tomorrow, Julie's got a busy day with the kids, Charlie's got his internship, and I've got meetings from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. All of our activities will try to creep into our lectio divina. When this happens, don't get upset with yourself. Just gently repel the distractions. This is all about us getting quiet and listening for God. Ultimately, it's about resting in God's love."
A couple of the kids have their eyes closed as I'm saying these things. Some are shifting on their couches, getting comfortable. Others find their cell phones and turn them off. Brenna pulls the comforter up to her neck. Heidi puts down the kid's toy she is fiddling with. I have the sense that they all need this experience.
Still, I'm a little fearful of doing lectio divina with my small group. I'm afraid I'll get this reaction: "There goes Tony, imposing another of his spiritual disciplines on us again." While it may not seem strange for a youth pastor to steer the group one way or another, that's not the kind of relationship I have with this bunch of students. I'm one of the members—an equal part. We meet at our house only so Julie and I don't have to hire a babysitter every week (not to mention that both of our babysitters are in the group!).
So I've made the decision to lead the group through lectio divina with some trepidation and much humility.
The story of the lost sheepThe 15th chapter of Luke is taken up with a trio of stories that explain what happens in the kingdom of God when someone is lost—what God does when one of his creations wanders away and can't find him. I explain this broader context to the group, and then I read the first parable: the story of the Lost Sheep:
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends." Their grumbling triggered this story.
"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue" (Luke 15:1–7).
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