This guide explains an easy way to read Scripture using silence, prayer, and queries. You can use it alone or in a small group.
- Individuals: 15–30 minutes
- Groups: 30–50 minutes, with no more than 12 people
Groups should choose a facilitator to help with timing and guidance.
Step One: Begin in Silence
Start with 3–5 minutes of quiet time. You may sit in expectant silence or silent prayer. Let your mind settle and release distractions. If you have time, stay longer in silence to reach a deeper, more worshipful place.
The goal is to read Scripture in the same Spirit that inspired its writers. When we become spiritually open, we are more able to hear how the Spirit might speak to us today.
Step Two: Read and Reflect
Read a short Scripture passage out loud. A group may have one person read it twice. Choose 1–10 verses so it is not too long.
Then spend 4–6 minutes in silent prayer. Ask yourself:
- What word, phrase, or image stands out to me?
- What keeps pulling my attention?
Sit “in the Light” with what you notice. Let the Spirit work in you. Release any tension or issues you may have with the passage.
Step Three: Listen for Guidance
Read the passage again, softly or silently. Then take 5–10 minutes of expectant silence. Listen for ways the Spirit may be inviting you to grow or act.
If words or images come up, notice them without forcing anything. Only hold onto what feels alive or meaningful. You may read the passage a third time if it feels right.
Step Four: Write Your Queries
After sitting with the passage, write one or more queries—open questions that help you go deeper. These questions are not about interpreting the Bible. Instead, they help you notice how God may be speaking to you through the text.
Your queries may change over time as your life, mood, and spiritual state change. If nothing comes to you, sit with that feeling. A query may still arise.
Step Five: Share or Journal
If you are in a group, come back together and share any insights you feel led to speak. Listen deeply to others without critiquing. The Spirit works differently in each person.
If you are working alone, you may want to journal your thoughts.
Step Six: Close in Prayer
End with a short silence or a spoken prayer. Carry something from the Scripture with you through the week. Pray with it. Sit with it. Revisit your queries as needed, or write new ones if the Spirit leads.
Sample Scripture Passages and Queries
Below are five sample passages that include questions from God. These examples show how queries may arise during prayer. They are not meant as “right answers” but as possible openings.
1. Genesis 3:8–9 — “Where are you?”
God asks Adam and Eve, “Where are you?”
Possible queries:
- Where am I—spiritually, emotionally, or literally in the world?
- Am I open to God, or am I hiding?
- How aware am I of God’s presence in my daily life?
- What would it mean to walk with God in simple honesty?
2. Genesis 4:8–9 — “Where is your brother?”
God asks Cain about his brother.
Possible queries:
- Am I in right relationship with my family and community?
- Do I notice the needs around me, or do I avoid them?
- How am I caring for the earth and for my neighbors?
- What keeps me from showing full compassion?
3. 1 Kings 19:11–13 — “What are you doing here?”
God speaks to Elijah through a still, small voice.
Possible queries:
- What am I truly doing with my time and energy?
- Are my motives honest, or am I seeking comfort or approval?
- Do guilt or obligation guide my actions more than love?
- How can I forgive myself while still being responsible?
4. Isaiah 6:1–8 — “Whom shall I send?”
Isaiah hears God’s call after a vision.
Possible queries:
- Has God touched my heart or my voice? How did I respond?
- What would it mean for me to say, “Here am I. Send me”?
- Where is my faith community being led, and what is my role?
- How do I notice God’s presence in other people?
5. Isaiah 58:1–11 — “Is this not the fast that I choose?”
God calls the people to justice, mercy, and love.
Possible queries:
- What does it mean to trust God as I work for justice?
- How do my actions support justice and peace?
- Am I present to others, or do I hide myself?
- How can I live more simply so others can live fully?
This variation on lectio divina was developed by Michael Gibson, 2008, and updated by FGC staff in 2025.
Last updated December 13, 2025.