Lectio Divina Scene 2 Summary

Ferrin’s process of inductive Bible study takes on a relational approach that consists of three essential parts or phases titled Foundation, Framing, and Finish Work. The structured methods encompass studying a book of the Bible and internalizing it rather than just memorizing the words (p. 3). The author diligently explains how that through the devoted application of all phases individuals and group Bible study participants are sure to “fall in love with God’s Word” (p. 3). Ferrin presents and or describes Scripture internalization as taking in the truth and then applying it to everyday life or living. Ferrin pointed out that the benefits of understanding biblical messages book by book include the Living Word of God becoming a reality within persons that grow more enjoyable and rewarding as time comes and goes.

In Shaped by the Word, by Robert Mulholland Jr., one finds a way to read scripture in order to provide a deeper understanding of God and allow His Word to shape one’s spiritual life. In the Introduction, in chapter 1, the reader is introduced to the idea that there is a movement in the church that seeks to become deeper and stricter in spiritual formation. He claims there are many books written for this purpose, and his intending purpose for this book is for God to use however he may want in the reader’s spiritual life. Mulholland provides the reader with a prayer to pray in preparation of reading this book and states there may be points where God is knocking and calling the reader’s attention to something new.

Bible Memory: It is important to keep God’s word close to your heart, you grow closer to Christ and become armed with a means to protect yourself from the devil’s schemes

Scene 1 (The people make their way to the wilderness to see and hear John) John comes on stage preaching to the people….” Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Prepare the way of the new king. Make His paths straight.

reading community” (115-116) Scripture when read as a story of what God has done and is doing today, gives us a complete picture of God's reconciliatory plan for humanity. This is very significant for me because by being aware of all scripture as the grand story of God no book or chapter is less significant because the book is part of the grand story of God. I will still struggle with some books like the Songs of Solomon, but after acquiring this new perspective from right, I can read the book with new lenses and try to figure out it connects to the story of God, but I believe I can only do that with the help of the Holy Spirit.

We are called to be witnesses to God. He healed the blind, lame, and paralyzed in this chapter. Jesus is the human form of God from my point of view. John 6 Jesus feeds the 5000 in this chapter. He walks on water.

In the discussions it was revealed that each of the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John give their own unique perspective of Jesus; some similar and some different. These different accounts of Jesus extant a challenge to try to discern a distinct image of Jesus.

In the Gospel of John, both readers have different interpretation upon reading the text in the divinity of Jesus

He also addresses the temptation of Jesus in the desert, the Sermon on the Mount, as well as many events of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem not found in John. In contrast, the Gospel of John begins with a proclamation of the divine glory and deity of Jesus Christ, God Himself, in human flesh dwelling among man and womankind, recording a relatively short span of time with an emphasis on the later Judean ministry of Christ. Luke records many short sayings of Jesus and parables that are not recorded in John’s writings. John expands on encounters with Jesus with an element of symbolism that brings a deep revelation of the person of Christ. John does not record His ascension, but ends the Gospel acknowledging that if everything that Jesus did during His life on earth was recorded “even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25).

The Deity of Christ in the Gospel of John The term deity is derived from the Latin word “deus” meaning God, therefore believing in the deity of Christ is to believe that Jesus Christ himself is God. The Gospel of John illustrates this truth not only by its precise use of signs that illustrate Jesus performing only what God is capable of performing but also by reiterating Jesus Christ’s use of “I Am” statements and self-proclamations within His teachings. John 1-12 is referred to as the Book of Signs, it is here that we read Jesus performing acts that only God himself can perform: turning water to wine (2:1-11), heal the officials son (4;46-54), heal the man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-9), feed the five thousand (6:1-13), walk on water (6:16-21),

Furthering this idea, John likely picked out the best 7 that relate Jesus to God; 7 being the ancient number for holiness and completion. These 7 statements each paint a different attribute of Jesus: light, truth, resurrection, etc. but each of these can also be accurately attributed to God, yet they are not the entirety of God. This is due to Jesus taking the character of God and bringing it into an understandable and relatable form for Humans. Interestingly, each of the I Am statements Jesus relates to how God would deliver his people in the Old Testament.

“The gospel gives away more to as who Jesus was as person and telling of his teachings in the ministry. John takes us behind Jesus’s ministry, where we get a glimpse of what it means to believe in Jesus as flesh of the eternal and living God, as the source of light and life, and for a believer to be a ‘Son of God.” (Sparknotes

When exploring the concept of ‘God the Son’, the incarnation and attributes of God as seen in Christ enter the picture. In order for human sin to be covered, a human sacrifice is all that could meet the requirement ordained by God, yet, they had to be sinless. Only the incarnate God could fulfill this role, exhibiting qualities of God Himself, such as selflessness, unconditional love, and purity. Another core trait was humbleness, although Jesus held the highest status in all the world, which shone brightly in His ministry, as He also served the children of God. Paul captured the essence of Jesus as God and the reality of the incarnation in these verses, “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God…made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7, NKJV).

The Gospel of John differs in many key areas to the Synoptics,and I will address some differing lines of thought.

Lectio divina is a way of life that develops “according to the Scriptures” argues (Peterson, 2006, p. 89). The reading and studying of the Bible is not just a talent that we probably do daily however, but a way of