Signs & Stories of the Kingdom.Part 5.Who do you Trust?

Signs & Stories of the Kingdom. Part 5. Matthew 19:16-30

A contemplative option:

Use Lectio Divina to engage with this passage. There is a guide to this below.

The Four Steps of Lectio Divina

1. Lectio (Read) —Read the passage slowly. Put yourself in the story or scene instead of focusing on a message for yourself. Visualize as concretely as possible the time, the place, and the people involved in the biblical story. Slow down. Savor the images. Pay attention whenever anything you read sparks a reaction from you. Read it several times!

2. Meditatio (Meditate) —Try focusing on a word or phrase from the passage. One way to do this is by repeating the word or phrase out loud or in your head a few times.

3. Oratio (Pray)—Allow the meditation to lead you to a conversation with God. Why did that word or phrase resonate with you? What is God calling you to think about? Don’t overthink it – remember that prayer is simply conversation with God about the matters on your heart!

4. Contemplatio (Contemplate) —Spend a few moments resting in the presence of God!

A Bible Study:

Read Matthew 19:16-30 Read it again, in a different translation.

• What stands out to you, as you hear the text?
• What do you sense God is saying to you through his word?
• What are you going to do about it?
• What does this story show us about the kingdom of God?