Week 1
Lectio Divina, a prayerful way of reading Scripture that invites us to slow down and listen for God’s voice. This practice is not about reading more, but about reading with presence. There is no right or wrong way to do this; the invitation is simply to come, to listen, and to receive. There are four parts: Read, Think, Pray, and Rest. Follow this pattern each day as you settle into the passage.
READ
Read the verses slowly, savoring the words in quietness. Read them a second time (aloud if possible), listening for a word, phrase, or verse that stands out. Jot it down.
THINK
Now take that word, phrase, or verse and sit with it.
Questions to consider:
What does this tell me about God? About myself? About others?
Why might this stand out to me now, at this time in my life?
PRAY
This is a time to commune with God.
Questions to consider:
Lord, what do you want to say to me from this passage?
Lord, what do you want me to do in response to this passage?
When you sense God speaking—or stirring your heart—write it down.
REST
In this final step, simply rest in God’s presence. Words aren’t necessary, but feel free to offer gratitude or love to the Lord. Breathe deeply, settle your soul, and wait on God.
Receive His love.
As you finish, you may want to write a response to the Lord..
1 Corinthians 4:6-15
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
Paul’s Appeal and Warning
14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.