Step Into Jesus’ Easy Yoke

Jesus calls disciplesA Soul Shepherding Audio Message

By Bill & Kristi Gaultiere © 2013

We strain and stress. We hurry and worry. We think it’s normal. We say, “It’s hard to be a Christian!” But Jesus says, “Come to me… My yoke is easy.” Easy? Yes, easy!

Jesus’s easy yoke is, of course, a yoke. It means submitting to him and following his lead. It means helping him to pull his load, to do the work of his kingdom. Getting into the yoke is not easy. Learning to stay in the yoke is not easy — it requires training. By training with Jesus we [...]

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Sample Lectio Divina: Jesus’ Sabbath Day

A Soul Shepherding Experience

By Bill Gaultiere © 2012

What is it like to do Lectio Divina? What is so special about this ancient method for meditating on Scripture?

The best way to know what Lectio Divina is like is to experience it personally, especially with someone who has been practicing being led by the Spirit in this approach. Perhaps the next best thing is for me to share with you a sample Lectio Divina from my journal.

Earlier this year I invited some pastors to join me in a retreat day. Leading up to a time of extended solitude and silence with Jesus [...]

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Lectio Divina Guides

Soul Shepherding Experiences

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010-2013

People often ask us, What are the best Scripture passages to use for Lectio Divina? Here are some Bible passages that we’ve found helpful — with Lectio Divina Guides for each.

Our Lectio Divina Guides are free, easy to use, and great for small groups, church staff or elder meetings, retreats, or private devotions. It’s best to pray for God to guide you to the Bible passage that relates to the focus of the group or what members might need to learn. Then spend some time doing Lectio Divina with the Bible [...]

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Guigo’s Ladder of Monks

A Soul Shepherding Article/Class

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

How wonderful it is to penetrate the depths of God’s Word. O to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and his words of life are “sweeter than honey”! (Psalm 19:10, 119:103). What love, joy, peace, and fruitful living is ours when we learn to “let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly” (Colossians 3:16).

Inspiring Ancient Words on Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is an ancient way of meditating on Scripture to listen to the Holy Spirit speak from the Bible to our hearts. Some years ago Continue reading Guigo’s Ladder of Monks

Lectio Divina Groups

A Soul Shepherding Article

By Bill Gaultiere © 2008, 2010, 2012

Lectio Divina is a tried and true approach to meditating on passages from the Bible. It’s a way to take the Word of God deep into our hearts and lives. It’s a special gift to share this way of listening to God through Scripture with others in a Bible study or spiritual formation group.

Lectio Divina Groups feature quiet meditation on a Bible passage and soul talk in order to facilitate Christ-centered community. There are a variety of ways to facilitate Lectio Divina Groups. I’d like to share with you the approach that [...]

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How to Begin Lectio Divina

A Soul Shepherding Article

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011, 2012

Many people visit SoulShepherding.org to learn how to practice Lectio Divina in their private devotions or for leading a small group. I’m not surprised because of all the spiritual exercises that we use in our personal devotions and in our spiritual mentoring and retreats for others Lectio Divina is one of the most helpful.

The ancient practice of Lectio Divina helps people to hear God’s voice through Scripture, pray about personal issues they’re struggling with, bond with others in a group, and grow in their intimacy with the Lord.

Learning Lectio Divina

I always [...]

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Guiding the Lectio Divina Process

A Soul Shepherding Article

By Kristi Gaultiere © 2012

Maybe you’ve experienced meditating on a Bible passage using the spiritual discipline of Lectio Divina. Maybe you also have a small group or a friend that you meet with for prayer. Why not combine these two practices? What a blessing it is to open God’s Word with soul friends so we can listen to the Lord together, share our hearts, and pray for one another.

In our Soul Shepherding ministry we teach people how to guide others in the Lectio Divina process to facilitate quiet prayer, listening to God, and personal sharing. This elevates a small group [...]

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