A Listening Group is based on the practice of Lectio Divina – a method of reflection which seeks to provide the space to listen to both God and one another. 

 

The prayerful exploration of the scriptures is essential to the way of Nazareth. Our discipline must help us to “exegete” the scriptures: to discover the Word of God for us and for our community. This means to unwind, to open out, to follow the thread, seeking the heart of the meaning of those words for our lives. Not only are we seeking to listen more deeply to the words of scripture themselves but also to each other. How is the scripture fulfilled in our hearing?

 

Lectio Divina involves taking a sacred text and reading it with the conviction that God is addressing you through this text.

 

The Method

 

The text is seen as a gift to be received.

The passage of scripture is read slowly.

It is given time and space.

It is allowed to filter into our own life and context.

It is repeated, each reading taking us deeper.

 

The text questions us and opens possibility.

It is a means of discovering God.

It is a means of learning from the lives and insights of others

It is a means of discovering our hidden selves.

 

What is a Listening Group?

​

Each group consists of about 8-12 people. Within the group we keep to a simple pattern to allow space for everyone and to guard against the group becoming dominated by only some of those present. In this practice we are not seeking to show mastery or cleverness or even our intelligence. We are allowing God to open-up his word through the raw material of our lives. What is more we are being given the unique opportunity to hear that process in the lives of others. As a group this is the practice we follow:

 

The Method within a Group

​

1. Three people in the group volunteer to read

2. The text is read a first time with everyone invited to listen in the knowledge that this text is being addressed to each one of us.

3. There is silence allowing for space and for what we have heard to settle.

4. The text is read a second time but this time each person is asked to discern a word or a phrase that seems to be speaking directly to you, to be addressing you or challenging you, or disturbing or exciting you. I wonder which is the word or phrase that God is speaking to you through tonight. 

5. The members of the group then share with one another, going round the circle, the word, or sentence or lines they have chosen. But at this stage they do not comment on what they have chosen.

6. The text is read a third time.

7. Then going round the circle, each person reflects upon the word or phrase or part they have chosen. They are asked to address how the scripture is speaking to their own life from a first person point of view rather than preaching or explaining to others in the group. 

8. If a member of the group does not wish to speak, they pass on simply with a gesture to the next person in the circle.

9. The group is encouraged to listen to the contribution of each person. Each person is given the space to speak. The group refrains from interruption. 

10. The group is non-judgmental and does not comment on what a person in the group shares. The facilitator or group leader may offer words of support or encouragement or thanks for a sharing but interferes in, or directs the sharing, as little as possible. At times when someone shares something which may be painful or traumatic the facilitator may offer more support. The facilitator should be patient and model the listening but may need to find a gentle and sensitive way of bringing a member’s contribution to a close if it is too long and will aim to make sure each person in the group is given time to contribute.