Contemplative Bible Reading: Experiencing God Through Scripture

by Richard Peace and Melody Carlson

Book Overview

This study guide will help you learn to hear God's voice as you explore different Bible passages and meditate and act on the truth of the Bible. * Personal study between meetings * 8 lessons This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576831086
• ISBN13: 9781576831083
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A guide to meditation and personal devotion of Scripture

Dr. Peace is the Robert Boyd Munger Chair as Professor of Evangelism and Church Renewal at Fuller Theological Seminary.This is a relative thin book (96 pages), and is meant for a small group to read through, as well as individuals to study through. It is divided into 14 sessions, where individuals are supposed to go through and do the odd numbered sessions, and small groups are supposed to do the even numbered sessions.This book is primarily meant to be a study guide for small groups, with leader notes, art of leadership guide, bibliography for further study. The exercises are meant for individuals to work towards the small group study.Contemplating Bible reading is a 1500+ year old tradition based on lectio divina, divine reading. The process, as described by peace is to Reading/Listening to Scripture (listening for phrases or words that jump out at the reader), Meditating (considering what these words/phrases are and the connection to one's life), Praying (...through these phrases), and Contemplation (resting and listening to God in these topics in silence).The book goes through a number of texts, and allows both groups and individuals to reflect upon them. It gives some background to the Scriptures, and allows for discussion questions. There are some thoughtful questions in each of the sessions, to allow the reader to think about the passages and the meaning (and application) more. There are also essays on Lectio divina and upon each step.It pretty good book for some small groups and individuals, if your small group is fairly biblically sound and mature as Christians. The danger of being overly subjective is present, and reading one's own story or one's own prejudices into the text (eisegesis) is a possibility. Nonetheless, this can be a thoughtful way to read Scripture differently than the traditional Bible study guides.