The Practice of Scripture

Scripture is one of God’s rhythms of grace.

Just as healthy rhythms shape our bodies over time, regular rhythms with God shape our hearts. We don’t practice Scripture to earn God’s love or gain His approval. We practice Scripture because God has already invited us into relationship with Him, and through His Word He continues to form us into the likeness of Christ.

The Bible is more than a book to be read or studied. It is God’s living Word, revealing His character, His heart, and His invitation to follow Him. As we spend time in Scripture, we learn to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd, to respond to His leading, and to allow His truth to shape the way we think, love, and live.

The practices in this guide are not steps to master but rhythms to return to. Some will help you slow down and listen. Others will invite you to experience the beauty of God’s Word, respond in prayer, carry Scripture with you throughout the day, or become more familiar with the heart of Jesus. You don’t need to practice them all at once. Begin with one, return to it often, and allow God’s Spirit to use His Word to transform you over time.

As you practice, remember this:

The goal is not to master the Bible. The goal is to know the God who speaks through it.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
Colossians 3:16

Lectio Divina | Scripture Practice

“Divine Reading” – Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of reading Scripture slowly, prayerfully, and attentively. Rather than reading to simply finish a chapter or gain more knowledge, we come to Scripture expecting to meet with God.

Find a quiet place where you can be free from distractions.

Set aside 10–20 minutes and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your time.

Practice Together

For this practice, begin with Psalm 8.

While Lectio Divina can be practiced with any passage of Scripture, there is something beautiful about knowing our church family is reading, listening to, and meditating on the same passage together. Though we each spend time with God personally, we are being formed together as one community.

One Scripture. One Church. One King.

As you read, remember that others in our church are listening to the same Word and following the same Shepherd.

Psalm 8

Reading One — Simply Listen

Read the passage slowly from beginning to end.

Don’t underline anything. Don’t take notes. Don’t try to study it.

Just read…and sit with it.

Allow the words to settle in your heart before moving on.

Reading Two — Notice a Word

Read the passage again.

This time, pay attention to one word that catches your attention. Don’t overthink it. Simply notice the word that seems to stand out and write it down.

Word

Spend a moment asking:

• Why might this word have stood out to me today?
• What is God inviting me to notice through it?

Sit quietly and listen before moving on.

Reading Three — Notice a Phrase or Image

Read the passage a third time.

Now look for a phrase or image that captures your attention. It may bring comfort, challenge you, or stir your imagination.

Write it down.

Phrase or Image

Take a few moments to reflect.

• Why does this matter to me today?
• What part of my life connects with this?
• What might God be saying through this phrase or image?

Reading Four — Give It a Title

Read the passage one final time.

Many sections of Scripture have headings in our Bibles like Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand or The Good Samaritan.Those titles summarize what the passage is about.

If you had to give this passage your own title based on what you’ve noticed, what would it be?

Try to choose a title that reflects both the passage as a whole and what God has been highlighting to you personally.

My Title

Respond in Prayer

Spend a few moments talking with God.

Thank Him for speaking through His Word. Share what you’ve noticed, ask questions, confess if needed, and respond to whatever He has been revealing to you.

Close your time by thanking Him for the gift of Scripture and for the opportunity to listen to His voice.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
Colossians 3:16

Imaginative ReadingScripture Practice

Imaginative Reading

Experiencing the Images of Scripture

God often reveals Himself through images.

Think about the word home. Home isn’t simply a house or a building. When someone says, “It felt like coming home,”they’re describing something much deeper than a place. They’re talking about belonging, safety, rest, comfort, and being fully known. One simple image communicates an experience that a definition never could.

Scripture is full of images like this. God is a Shepherd, a Father, Living Water, a Vine, a Rock, a Refuge, Light, and Bread. These aren’t simply poetic descriptions—they are invitations to know what God is like.

Imaginative Reading is a way of slowing down and entering into those images. Rather than only asking, “What does this passage mean?” we also ask, “What is this passage inviting me to experience?” We don’t add to Scripture or change the story. We simply allow the images God has already given us to speak to our minds, our hearts, and our imaginations.

Not everyone imagines the same way. Some people picture scenes vividly. Others connect through emotions, sounds, memories, or simply a deeper awareness of the passage. There is no right way to imagine. The goal is not to create something new but to become more attentive to what God has already revealed through His Word.

Read

Choose a passage rich with imagery or story, such as Psalm 23 or one of the Gospel narratives.

Read the passage slowly from beginning to end.

Don’t rush to understand everything. Simply become familiar with the words and the images Scripture presents.

Imagine

Read the passage again.

Now allow yourself to step into the scene.

If the passage is a story, imagine yourself present. Notice the setting, the people, the sounds, and the emotions.

If the passage uses imagery, like Psalm 23, imagine what those images are like to experience. What would it feel like to walk behind the Shepherd? To rest in green pastures? To sit beside quiet waters? To walk through the valley knowing He is with you?

Don’t force a picture. Simply pay attention to whatever helps you experience the passage more deeply.

Reflect

Ask yourself:

• What image stayed with me?
• What did I notice that I hadn’t noticed before?
• What does this image reveal about God’s character?
• What invitation might God be extending to me through this passage?

Write a few thoughts below.

Respond

Finish by thanking God for revealing Himself through His Word.

Ask Him to continue shaping your heart as you read Scripture—not only to understand it, but to know Him more deeply through it.

God often uses images because they communicate what definitions alone cannot. As we prayerfully enter the world of Scripture, we discover not only what God has said, but something of what it is like to walk with Him.

Praying the ScripturesScripture Practice

Praying the Scriptures

Learning to Pray Through God’s Word

One of the simplest ways to grow in prayer is to borrow the words of Scripture.

Throughout the Bible we find prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving, lament, petition, and surrender. These prayers remind us that we don’t have to come to God with polished words. We simply come honestly.

When you don’t know what to pray, let Scripture become your prayer.

Read

Choose a biblical prayer or another passage of Scripture.

Read it slowly once or twice.

Notice the heart behind the words.

• What is the writer saying to God?
• What emotions are present?
• What do they believe about God?

Not Sure Where to Begin?

Try one of these prayers from Scripture:

Prayer of Blessing
1 Chronicles 4:10 — The Prayer of Jabez

Prayer of Surrender
Matthew 6:9–13 — The Lord’s Prayer

Prayer from the Depths
Jonah 2:2–9 — Jonah’s Prayer

Prayer of Praise
1 Samuel 2:1–10 — Hannah’s Prayer

Prayer for Help
Psalm 3 — David’s Prayer for Deliverance

Write

Using the passage as your guide, write your own prayer.

Don’t worry about using the same words. Instead, allow the Scripture to shape your conversation with God.

You might begin with:

Lord…

Pray

Read your written prayer aloud.

Allow it to become your conversation with God today. If more words come, keep writing. God delights in an honest heart more than polished words.

The Psalms Teach Us That Prayer Can Be…

• Written — Sometimes the words we need have already been given to us.
• Adoration — Worshiping God simply for who He is.
• Thanksgiving — Remembering His faithfulness and giving thanks.
• Honest Enough to Ask Questions — God is not threatened by our confusion, grief, or doubts. Bringing our questions to Him is often an act of faith, not unbelief.
• A Cry for Protection — Asking God to be our refuge and defender.
• A Petition for Help — Bringing our needs before Him with confidence that He hears.
• Confession — Honestly acknowledging our sin and receiving His grace.

Whatever season you’re in, you’ll likely find someone in Scripture who prayed through it first. Their words can become your words until your own begin to flow.

Scripture MemorizationScripture Practice

Scripture Memorization

Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart

We often think of Scripture memorization as an exercise for our minds. While memorizing God’s Word does strengthen our memory, its greater purpose is to shape our hearts.

The Bible was never meant to stay on the page. God desires His Word to dwell within us—guiding our thoughts, shaping our desires, and reminding us of His presence throughout the day.

When God’s Word is hidden in our hearts, the Holy Spirit often brings it to mind exactly when we need it: in moments of temptation, anxiety, joy, decision, or encouragement.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11

Choose One Verse

Don’t try to memorize an entire chapter.

Choose one verse or a short passage that speaks to you.

A few places to begin:

• Psalm 23:1 — The Lord is my shepherd…
• Joshua 1:9 — Be strong and courageous…
• Matthew 11:28–30 — Come to me, all who are weary…
• Philippians 4:6–7 — Do not be anxious about anything…
• Colossians 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…

Write It

Write the verse in your own handwriting.

Writing slows us down and helps the words settle into our minds and hearts.

Carry It

Take your verse with you.

Write it on an index card, place it in your pocket, make it your phone wallpaper, or put it somewhere you’ll see it often.

Read it throughout the day.

Instead of trying to master the verse, allow the verse to begin shaping you.

Live It

Ask yourself throughout the day:

• What does this verse reveal about God?
• What invitation is God giving me today?
• Is there a promise to trust?
• Is there an action to take?
• How would my day look different if I believed this verse was true?

Notice where God brings this Scripture back to your mind.

Pray

Thank God for speaking through His Word.

Ask Him to help His Word move from your mind into your heart, and from your heart into your everyday life.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
Colossians 3:16

Knowing the Shepherd | Scripture Practice

Learning to Recognize the Voice of Jesus

The goal of reading Scripture is not simply to know the Bible—it is to know the God who speaks through it.

From the very beginning, the enemy has twisted God’s words. In the garden, the serpent asked, “Did God really say…?”(Genesis 3:1). In the wilderness, Satan quoted Scripture to Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11). Simply knowing verses isn’t enough. We are invited to know the heart and voice of the One who gave them.

Jesus said,

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27

The more time we spend with Jesus in Scripture, the more familiar His voice becomes. Like recognizing the voice of a close friend in a crowded room, we begin to notice His compassion, His truth, His mercy, and His love wherever He speaks.

Read

Spend time in one of the Gospels.

Read a short passage slowly.

Instead of immediately asking, “What should I do?” begin with a different question:

What does this passage reveal about Jesus?

Observe

As you read, notice His heart.

• How does Jesus treat people?
• What moves Him to compassion?
• What brings Him joy?
• What grieves Him?
• What does He value?
• What surprises you about Him?

Write down one thing you learn about Jesus.

Listen

Now ask yourself:

• Where do I hear this same voice in my own life?
• What voices compete for my attention?
• Does the voice I’m following sound like Jesus?

Remember, the voice of Jesus will never contradict the character of Jesus.

Follow

Choose one way to imitate Jesus today.

It doesn’t have to be big.

Perhaps it’s offering forgiveness, showing compassion, speaking truth with gentleness, or simply slowing down to notice someone who is overlooked.

Write one step you can take today.

Pray

Jesus,

Thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Word.

Teach me to recognize Your voice above every other voice. Form my heart to look more like Yours. As I read Scripture, help me not only to know more about You, but to know You more deeply.

Amen.