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 5:1-8
Dealing With a Case of Incest
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.