A Beginner’s Guide to Lectio Divina

The following steps are designed as a helpful guide to get you started with Lectio Divina. It is a good idea to follow all steps in the beginning. Later, you will begin to develop your own style. As you grow more comfortable with the concept and process, Lectio Divina will become a natural and seamless part of your prayer life.

We will practice on the well-known passage, John 3:16. “God loved the world so much that he gave us his only son; so that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.”

STEP ONE: Read the Passage with Breath

Read the passage, placing mental emphasis on different words. Expand the passage by adding synonyms of key words. Often, you will see new shades of meaning.

     Inhale      Exhale

     (InhaleGod loved the world so much

          (Exhale)  That he gave us his only son;

     (Inhale)  So that whoever believes in him

          (Exhale)  Would not perish but have eternal life.

     Inhale      Exhale

     (Inhale)  God loved the world so much

          (Exhale)  That he gave us his only son;

     (Inhale)  So that whoever believes in him

          (Exhale)  Would not perish but have eternal life.

STEP TWO: Emphasize and Expand

Add synonyms to key words to see additional meanings and reflect on their nuance to expand your understanding.

     (Inhale)  God loved the world [and everyone in it] so much

          (Exhale)  That he gave us his only [precious and beloved] son;

     (Inhale)  So that whoever believes [trusts, and follows] him

          (Exhale)  Would not perish [or fear death] but have eternal life.

STEP THREE: Personalize

Rephrase the passage in the first person. Use “I,” “we,” or “me.” Make the passage to you personally, or about you personally. Apply the passage to specific areas in your own life such as work, family, or your role in the church.

     Inhale      Exhale

     (Inhale)  God loved me so much

          (Exhale)  That he gave me his only son;

     (Inhale)  So that if I believe him   If I trust what he said is true,

          (ExhaleI will not die, but live with him forever.

STEP FOUR: Be Still

Sit in silence for a moment. Continue deep, balanced breathing as you allow the Holy Spirit to work inside you. Focus on Christ revealed in the Scripture. Try not to be analytical at this point. Just experience.

STEP FIVE: Hover

You may find yourself repeating a phrase or even a single word from the passage. Allow that word or phrase to wash over you like waves on the shore.

STEP SIX: Take Time to Journal

Jot down any thoughts or ideas that came to you during your prayer. But don’t be disappointed if it is difficult to communicate in words. Often the Holy Spirit speaks in “groans too deep for words.”