Preparing for the Gathering
This practice is meant to be flexible, for use with smaller or larger groups; you are free to adapt the amount of time for sharing, as well as whether to spend time with partners or small groups or only sharing with the whole group. Dwelling in the Word can be done in person or through video conference. The “Acting” section would be more applicable to council and committee meetings than a Bible study or quilting group.
Depending on your group, you may want to provide a handout or use a “screen share” with the Scripture passage and/or the reflection questions. It is helpful for everyone to hear and/or read along with the same translation. Typically, the same text is read twice by two different readers. A variation is to read a second translation.
If you are Dwelling in the Word on Zoom, make sure the host has enabled the share screen and breakout rooms options in settings.
Prepare to Listen
The leader provides a brief introduction to the practice of Dwelling in the Word – more if the practice is new to any member in the group; less if it is a developed practice. For example:
“Dwelling in the Word is a time of prayerful and communal reflection on a passage of Scripture. We will hear God’s Word read twice, allowing for silence between the readings. Are there two volunteers who would be our readers? I will let you know when to read. As we listen to the text, consider these questions; feel free to write down any reflections if you’d like.
- What captures my attention?
- What questions do I have? What do I wonder?
- Where might God’s Spirit be nudging us?
After we hear God’s Word, you will have a few minutes to share our responses [with a partner]. These can be simply words or phrases that stand out for you, with or without explanation.”
Listening
The leader opens with a prayer asking God to open our hearts and speak to us.
Ask participants to reflect on these questions while the first reader to reads the text slowly.
- What captures my attention?
- What questions do I have? What do I wonder?
- Where might God’s Spirit be nudging us?
Philippians 4:2-9
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Allow for silence.
Invite the second reader to read the text again.
Allow for silence.
Reflecting
The leader instructs people to pair up and share responses – words or phrases, with or without explanation. “Listen carefully to your partner; after sharing with each other, you will be sharing some of your partner’s responses with the whole group (or a table group).” (On Zoom, host selects break out rooms and the amount of time desired (4 or 5 minutes); the number of rooms is your participants divided by two. The host will be able to join any room after activating the rooms. At the end of the allotted time, participants will return to the full group.)
After a few minutes, remind people to switch to let the other person share if they haven’t already.
After a few more minutes, have people gather with their partner at a table of 6-8, or in the large group. With their partner’s permission, let people share what their partner heard and wondered.
After a few more minutes, if not already gathered as the whole group, bring everyone together, ask for any other sharing. After hearing responses, ask “Where might God’s Spirit be nudging us?” (There may or may not be much response but allow time for people to process the question after everything they’ve heard.) The leader does not have to answer questions or respond directly to what is shared.
Acting
The leader invites participants to keep the Scripture in mind throughout the meeting and encourages participants to share reflections from the text throughout the time together. What does the text say in the midst of the meeting/gathering and making decisions?
You may decide to end your time together by reading the text one more time and invite reflections on how the passage influenced discussion and/or planning.
Close with a prayer, asking God to continue speaking to the group through the Scripture.
Bring the Scripture text to the group in the same manner at the next meeting or gathering.