As we prepare for CPC21 Online this year, we know that there are a lot of things coming at you. In order to create space to hear from God at CPC, we have created a four-day devotional as preparation for your heart and soul.
As you look through this activity, you might be wondering, why didn’t they give us a thoughtful story to orient us to the Scripture? We didn’t include any type of set up intentionally so that you can hear straight from God in these four days as we read God’s Word together. We are more concerned about what God is going to do in you as you read His Word than what we can say about it. And we believe He will speak as you dwell in His Word.
Dwelling in the Word is a practice of reading God’s Word devotionally out loud, while asking God’s Spirit to reveal whatever it is that God wants to say to you. Like Lectio Divina teaches, you read with the intention of listening to God, not intellectually dissecting the text. In this way, God’s Word becomes living, active, and alive to you and in you. For the next four days, we will listen to God using the texts that are the foundation to CPC21 Online.
Before you start, we’ve chosen a song for you to use if you’d like. Play the song softly before you read, or as you listen to God’s Word.
Holy Ghost – Maverick City Music
Use these steps to Dwell in the Word:
- Read the passage and listen for words or phrases that stand out to you, words that seem living and active.
Wait 2 minutes in silence. In the silence, pay close attention to the living words.
- Read the passage again, now focusing more specifically on the word or phrase that is sticking out to you.
Wait 2 minutes in silence. Ask yourself: Why might these words be catching my attention?
- Read the passage a final time and ask God for revelation of what the word or phrase means for you right now.
Wait 2 more minutes in silence. Ask God: What are you saying to me about this passage?
- Take some time to think through and write down any revelation you had from the text. Pray. If you’re in a group, discuss what you “heard” and pray together.
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
