Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
LECTIO DIVINA: ‘N BYBELSE MEDITASIEPRAKTYK

LECTIO DIVINA: ‘N BYBELSE MEDITASIEPRAKTYK

Ek het onlangs ‘n Christelike geestesgesondheidskonferensie bygewoon waarin een van die sprekers, Gary Oliver, ThM, PhD, die groep gelei het in ‘n vorm van Christelike meditasie genaamd Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina word letterlik vertaal as “goddelike lees” en is ‘n antieke Christelike praktyk wat al die pad terug gaan na Origen van Alexandrië in die derde eeu. Die bedoeling van die praktyk is om die Christen te help om die Skrif meer as blote feite of hoofkennis verder te internaliseer na ‘n diep ervaring, hartswaardering en praktiese lewe uit die dinge van God. Hierdie styl van meditasie is ontwerp om die gelowige in Christus te help om betrokke te raak by doelgerigte praktyke wat met God saamwerk vir die genesing van hul hele wese – gees, siel en liggaam.

By die konferensie het Dr. Oliver vir elke deelnemer ‘n uitdeelstuk gegee wat ‘n kort geskiedenis van Lectio Divina, ‘n paar instruksies en ‘n afskrif van Psalm 1:1-3 uit vier verskillende vertalings: King James, New Living Translation, The Message en The Remedy of the Lord in Song: The Psalms.

Ek het nie geweet dat Dr. Oliver gaan praat of dat hy die hele groep gaan lei in ‘n deurdagte, uurlange besinning van een van die psalms nie, veral nie een wat The Remedy geparafraseer het nie. Maar dit het net so gebeur dat Come and Reason Ministries gratis kopieë van The Remedy of the Lord in Song: The Psalms vir die deelnemers aangebied het, en baie deelnemers, wat van regoor die land gekom het, het een geneem. Baie het my persoonlik bedank vir die parafrase en my vertel hoeveel hulle geseën is deur die gebruik van The Remedy weergawe.

In die nadraai van daardie vergadering het ek besluit om Lectio Divina meer na te vors en dan hierdie metode van Christelike meditasie met jou te deel.

Lectio Divina het vier verskillende aksies of stappe:

  • Bybellees
  • Meditasie oor die gedeelte gelees, wat beteken om na te dink oor die betekenis daarvan
  • Gebed (gesprek met God) oor die gedeelte
  • Bepeins of ervaar die toepassing daarvan op die innerlike werking van ‘n mens se hart, houdings, motiewe en emosies – dit wil sê om in die Heilige Gees te bly en Hom te ervaar en die waarheid op die hart toe te pas.

‘n Paar belangrike punte oor Lectio Divina: Eerstens begin hierdie vorm van meditasie altyd met die geïnspireerde Woord van God. As ‘n mens die Skrif met ander geskrifte vervang, sal die meditasie dien om daardie geskrifte se idees in ‘n mens se wese te versterk eerder as God se Woord.

‘n Tweede punt is dat hierdie vorm van meditasie diep denke, nadenke, aktiewe denke en gemeenskap/gebed met God vereis. Dit is nie ‘n leegmaak van die gees nie, en dit is ook nie ‘n herhalende mantra nie. Die doel is om ons beperkte bewustheid, beide kognitief en ervaringsgewys, van ons kennis van God uit te brei, sodat ons God self kan ken net soos Jesus gebid het dat ons sou (Joh 17:3).

Soos ons met God omgaan, aktief met Hom verenig en sy metodes op ons lewens toepas, ervaar ons genesing, reiniging, ontspanning, vernuwing, herskepping, wat ook bekend staan as heiligmaking:

“Mag die God van vrede julle volkome aan Hom toewy. Ja, mag God julle so bewaar dat julle na gees, siel en liggaam volkome vlekkeloos sal wees wanneer ons Here Jesus Christus terugkom” (1 Thessalonicense 5:23 NLV11, beklemtoning myne).

God wil ons heilig, genees, heilig maak in gees, siel en liggaam.

Lectio Divina-meditasie betrek alle aspekte van ons wese. Ons betrek ons liggaam wanneer ons ontkoppel van die daaglikse aktiwiteite van die lewe, die digitale toestelle neersit en stil by God sit, dikwels in die natuur – die geur van die blomme inasem, die liedjies van die voëls hoor, die pragtige reënboog waardeer, die warmte van die sonskyn voel, deur die sagte briesie gestreel word. Ons ondervinding in die natuurlike wêreld wat God geskep het, stimuleer ons sintuie en draai ons gedagtes in ontsag en waardering na ons Skepper.

In so ‘n toestand van eerbied vestig ons ons aandag op die geskrewe woord, fokus op ‘n spesifieke gedeelte van die Skrif, en in daardie plek van natuurlike stilte mediteer ons diep oor die boodskap van God. Ons reik uit na God met ons hart, besin oor die betekenis en vra Hom vir groter insig, begrip en wysheid. Ons loof God vir sy voorsienigheid, teenwoordigheid, getrouheid en goedheid en vir die verbinding van die waarhede in die Skrif in ons gedagtes en vir die toepassing daarvan op ons lewe op daardie oomblik.

En dan stort ons ons toegeneentheid, liefde, waardering en aanbidding na God uit en nooi sy Gees uit om ons houdings, gevoelens en verlange skoon te maak en te reinig om al hoe meer verenig te wees met Syne sodat ons die vreugde, liefde en teenwoordigheid van God in ons diepste wese ervaar.

Ek het nog nie die term Lectio Divina gehoor voordat Dr. Oliver my daaraan voorgestel het nie. Maar terwyl ek bestudeer het wat hierdie metode van meditasie funksioneel doen, het ek besef dat die stappe daarvan die praktyke is wat ek gedurende my Christelike reis gedoen het, omdat ek ander Christelike skrywers gelees het wat hierdie einste dinge beskryf het sonder om daardie Latynse term te gebruik.

Die interessantste is dat ek gevind het dat een van die stigters van die Sewendedag Adventistekerk dieselfde praktyke voorgestaan het, ook sonder om ooit die term Lectio Divina te gebruik. Kyk na die volgende historiese aanhalings, met inagneming van die vier komponente van Lectio Divina: Bybellees, meditasie, gebed en bepeinsing.

Om bloot die woord te hoor of te lees, is nie genoeg nie. Hy wat begeer om voordeel te trek uit die Skrif, moet peins oor die waarheid wat aan hom voorgehou is. Deur ernstige aandag en biddende denke moet hy die betekenis van die woorde van waarheid leer en diep drink van die gees [bepeinsing] van die heilige kennisbron (Christ’s Object Lessons, 59, beklemtoning myne).

Dit sou vir ons heilsaam wees om elke dag ‘n uur aan die bepeinsing van die lewe van Christus te bestee. Ons moet dit punt vir punt neem en die verbeelding toelaat om elke toneel te begryp, veral die slottonele. As ons so oor sy groot opoffering vir ons peins, sal ons ‘n standvastiger vertroue in Hom kry, sal ons liefde opgewek word en sal ons in ‘n voller mate deur sy gees vervul word. As ons eindelik gered wil word, moet ons die les van boetvaardigheid en ootmoed aan die voet van die kruis leer (Die Koning van die eeue, bl 83, beklemtoning myne).

Ons lewe in die ernstigste tyd van die wêreld se geskiedenis. Die ewige lot van die aarde se miljoene sal eerlank beslis wees. Ons eie toekomstige welsyn, asook die saligheid van ander siele, hang af van die weg wat ons tans bewandel. Ons moet deur die Gees van waarheid gelei word. Elke navolger van Christus behoort ernstig te vra, “Here, wat wil U hê, moet ek doen?” Ons behoort ons te verootmoedig voor die Here, met vas en gebed, en baie oor sy woord te peins, veral die tonele van die oordeel. Ons behoort nou te soek om ons geestelike lewe te verdiep in die dinge van God – (Die Groot Stryd 678.2, beklemtoning myne).

“God verbied dat ek my sal roem, behalwe in die kruis van onse Here Jesus Christus, deur wie die wêreld vir my gekruisig is en ek vir die wêreld.” As Christus ons persoonlike Verlosser is, sal ons mediteer oor sy goedheid en barmhartigheid en liefde. Sy teenwoordigheid sal by die gelowige, biddende siel wees. As die gelowige ‘n intelligente kennis het van wat gebed beteken, sal hy nie net seisoene van gebed hê nie, en nadat hy in hierdie tye gebid het, dink dat sy plig gedoen is, maar hy sal deur ervaring verstaan wat die Skrif beteken wanneer dit sê: “Henog het met God gewandel.” Hy sal voortdurend sy gedagtes na God verhef hou, en gemeenskap met God sal meer en meer begeerte na God gee, en die verstand sal vergroot word deur die karakter van God te bepeins. So sal hy gevoed word deur die vlees en bloed van die Seun van God, wat verklaar dat hy die brood van die lewe is wat uit die hemel neergedaal het (Sabbatskoolwerker, 1 April 1895, par. 1, beklemtoning myne).

Ongeag wat jy dit noem, ek moedig jou aan om daagliks tyd te neem om afgesonder van hierdie besige wêreld te wees om tyd saam met God deur te bring, om sy Woord te lees, diep te mediteer oor die betekenis daarvan, met God daaroor te praat en die Heilige Gees in jou hart in te nooi om die waarhede tuis te bring na jou diepste ervaring.

 

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA