| CODE | SHG3831 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Lectio Divina and Biblical Prayer | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sacred Scripture, Hebrew and Greek | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit describes the Lectio Divina, a medieval monastic contemplative reading practice. It discusses the Lectio Divina鈥檚 history and how the practice was modified for the classroom. Three benefits will be explained, namely, increased attention to cognitive and noncognitive reactions to the text, willingness to engage with the material in novel ways, and the opportunity to relate in independent disciplinary practice. The study-unit will relate potential modifications to the exercise that instructors may wish to consider, namely strategies for addressing students鈥� status as novice meditators, focusing textual selections on course materials, and having students sketch some aspects of the practice as homework. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit aims at helping students gain a deeper understanding of God's Word by being taken through the motions of a tried and tested method of prayer. It will outline how the diversity of impressions and understandings of the Biblical text truly helps the reader to realize the depth and relevance of the Scripture. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 鈥� recognize novel interpretations of the biblical text when compared to more traditional presentations of the same material. 鈥� synthesize key aspects of theological practice independent of any instruction. 鈥� move away from the view that the biblical commentaries are the sole source of knowledge and towards student confidence in their own abilities to analyze, interpret, and construct arguments independently. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 鈥� describe the practice of Lectio divina, its roots, how and why it provides valuable context through which students can come to more fully understand and appreciate the biblical text. 鈥� note that though Lectio Divina can have an analytical component that emerges out of an imagined dialogue between practitioner and text, the practice is not intended to be a merely exegetical tool. 鈥� bypass the literal information one normally reads and unites with some deeper Truth in the text. 鈥� describe how the Lectio Divina does not replace rational ways of encountering Scripture; it offers an entirely different perspective, grounded in contemplative principles. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Benner David G., Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer (Downers Grove, Illinois, IVP Books, 2010). - Bianchi Enzo, Lectio Divina: From God鈥檚 Word to Our Lives. Voices from the Monastery (Paraclete Press, 2015). - Foster David, Reading with God: Lectio Divina (London: Continuum, 2005). - Hall Thelma, Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina with 500 Scripture Texts for Prayer (New York and Mahway: Paulist Press, 1988). - Jackson John Paul, The Art of Praying the Scriptures: A Fresh Look at Lectio Divina (United States: Streams Ministries, 2016). - Magrassi Mariano, Praying the Bible: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1998). - Mulholland Robert M., Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation (Nashville, Tennesse: The Upper Room, 2001). - Paintner Christine Valters, Lectio Divina - The Sacred Art. Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer (Woodstock: Sky Light Paths Publishing, 2011). - Pennington Basil M., Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures (New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 2017). Supplementary Readings: - Peterson Eugene H., Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading (Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2006). - Studzinski Raymond, Reading to Live: The Evolving Practice of Lectio Divina, Cistercian Studies Series 241 (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2009). - Wilhoit James C., Discovering Lectio Divina: Bringing Scripture into Ordinary Life (Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press, 2012). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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