Reading Plan & Resources
Before you Read
To orient your mind as you approach each book of the Torah, check out these videos by Bible Project:
To orient your heart before diving into the Scriptures, pause and engage in the practice of Lectio Divina, inviting God to show you what to notice as you read.
Lectio Divina
The Practice of
Lectio Divina means ‘divine reading’ – inviting God to show us what to notice as we read, asking God what He is saying to us personally, in our here and now.
1. Pause
As you come to Jesus with your Bible open, remember He is with you. Jesus is at work in you and around you, and He wants to speak to you.
Pray a Prayer of Approach –
“Jesus, I’m here to meet with you; Come, Holy Spirit.
Help me be still and become more aware of your presence.
Jesus, I want to hear from you;
What do you want to show me?”
2. Read & Reflect
Read slowly and curiously.
Look for places where your heart is stirred – linger there and re-read.
If there is an idea or phrase that sticks out to you, notice what it is saying.
Chew on it with Jesus; notice how the words impact you.
3. Ask
Ask Jesus what he’s showing you:
“Jesus, what are you showing me; why is this important for me?”
“Jesus, is there something you want me to know or do?”
Ask Jesus how to respond:
“Jesus, how can I say ‘yes’ to what you are doing in my life?”
There might be something you can confess, ask Jesus to do, or thank God for… do it!
4. Yield
Pray a prayer of submission —
“Jesus, help me to carry more awareness of your presence into my day. Thank you for speaking to me. Spirit, transform me as I follow and respond. Father, I yield myself to your loving care; lead me today to love you and love others.”
Not what you expected?
If nothing stirred you, or you feel disconnected, pray to commit yourself to waiting for Jesus to reveal himself to you more this day – he will use this time and what you’ve read.
“Jesus, I trust that you will go with me and have more to show me. Show me if there is anything in the way of hearing you more clearly. Use what I have read and prayed to draw me close to you; I wait and watch for you.”
The Examen is a prayer practice that helps us connect with God – inviting Him into our everyday moments and asking Him to lead our formation as we listen to Him. It helps us answer the question, “God, what are you doing? What do you want to teach me?” Christians have prayed in this way for 500 years, thanks to Ignatius of Loyola, but the pattern goes back to the Early Church.
Examen creates rhythms of reflecting on our day with gratitude, learning from God’s heart as we dialogue with Him, and responding by entrusting what’s next to Him. It is great to pray daily (evening is best), but you can do it as a weekly pattern, maybe reflecting on the week each Sabbath day. It can take five minutes, or longer depending on how slowly you want to take it.
Follow these simple steps:
Examen
The Prayer of
1. Breathe
Slow down, recentering your scattered senses upon the presence of God. Ask the Father for light, to see yourself through His eyes, and to see what He wants you to see.
2. Replay
Go through your day, and recall the events, experiences, and interactions you had. Think about your thoughts, feelings, and decisions, whether positive or negative, noting the things that stick out. Thank God for the good things in your day.
3. Acknowledge
Recognize the places where you felt far from God in your day, and where you felt near to God. Where did you reflect Jesus’ heart and purpose, and where did you not?
Choose one or two moments that feel significant to pray about more deeply…
4. Dialogue
Talk with God about these moments. What was happening, how did it affect you, and how were you responding? Ask Jesus where He was in this moment, and what you can learn from it. Is God prompting a response like confessing sin, forgiving someone, or asking for grace to respond differently next time? Allow the Spirit to change your heart.
5. Anticipate
Consider your upcoming moments, both anxious and welcomed, praying to be aware of God’s presence and affected by His grace as you live through them. Invite the Spirit to lead you into what’s next, and ask if there is anything He wants to prepare you for.