LECTIO CORAM DEO

We believe that God’s word makes, forms, and multiplies disciples of Jesus. Lectio Coram Deo is how we engage with God’s word as a family. At the heart of our pursuit is an understanding that all of God’s word points to and is summed up in the life and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus. He is, after all, God’s Word made flesh!

*This resource was first developed and produced by Ed Marcelle, Director of Church Planting at Harbor Network

OVERVIEW

Lectio Coram Deo can be literally understood as “reading in the presence of God”, or even, “reading before the face of God”.

Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian Life because living coram Deo is living one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.

Reading coram Deo is to read the Scriptures before the face of God, to listen to Him as though He is sitting with us. Reading coram Deo awakens us to who God reveals Himself to be and how we need to respond as individuals and as a community of His people. To do so, we read Scripture three ways: Eternally, Internally, and Externally.

ETERNAL REVELATION
During this reading, we seek to experience God revealed so we can know more of His eternal truths and character. While reading, we become mystics in His presence, learning more about Him, the main character of the Bible and source of all truth.

INTERNAL RESPONSE
During this reading, we seek to understand ourselves in light of what was revealed about God. When God reveals His eternal truths to us, we either receive or reject them. While contemplating His truth and grace we enter the journey of becoming a pilgrim after Christ.

EXTERNAL REFLECTION
During this reading, we seek to learn from God how to reflect His truth and grace to the world around us. Scripture calls us to come and experience God, but also to go and serve Him as His missionaries.

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ETERNAL REVELATION

Engage Him, not just intellectually but also emotionally and relationally. Pray and converse with God as you read His Word. Go slow and enjoy learning about the Eternal One who reveals Himself. Ask questions of the Word, like:

  • Who are You, God? What are You like?

  • What does God do? Or not do? Why?

  • How does God communicate? And why does He communicate?

  • What truth is revealed that I should understand more of?

  • How did Jesus express this truth about God?

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INTERNAL RESPONSE

Listen to the Word with a critical mind, but not with a critical heart. Allow God, the One in whose image we are created, to inform us about who we are, and what He wants us to believe and to become. Ask questions of the Word like:

  • Do I believe or trust in what God has said? Why or why not?

  • Knowing my history, temptations, and personality, what part of my life is (or is not) lining up with who God is or what He says?

  • What sin does the passage reveal about my heart and actions?

  • Do I see in myself the same characteristics God displays?

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EXTERNAL REFLECTION

Be compelled to reflect His life-giving truth and grace to our world. Take part in His story as His missionaries obeying His call to make more and better disciples. Ask questions of the Word, like:

  • How did Jesus, as a man, respond obediently to this truth about God?

  • Is God calling me to a different way of living or thinking towards those around me?

  • Do these truths line up, or conflict, with the culture around me?

  • Am I called to do something? Go somewhere? Serve someone?

  • How can I proclaim and display God’s truth and grace at home, in my work, or in my leisure?