Dwelling in the Word is a process for becoming aware of God’s presence and the Spirit’s movement by listening and reflecting on Scripture as a gathered community.

Dwelling in the Word forms faith and trust within a group by sharing responses to four questions:

1) What captures my attention?

2) What questions do I have?

3) What do I wonder?

4) Where might God’s Spirit be nudging us?

The word “dwell” or “abide” is used frequently in Scripture. It means to live or remain somewhere or with someone for a time. The practice of Dwelling in the Word invites communities to live with a text for a time so that the reflections, wonderings, and promptings of God’s Word form and shape our faith and living. The purpose of Dwelling in the Word is not about answering questions or getting to particular results, but rather allowing ourselves to be present with God’s living Word.

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• Thank God for the gifts of life and this particular day.
• Ask God to allow you to see the day as you have lived it and in light of God’s will.
• Spend time reflecting on the events, interactions, and emotions of the day.
• Ask for insight into the ways your responses were good, life giving, or healing.
• Ask for insight into the ways your responses may have been insensitive, unloving or damaging to others, creation, or self.
• Pray for forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release.
• Offer God the next day. Ask God to be present in your thoughts, actions, and relationships as you move on to live a new day more fully alive to the presence of Christ.

An ancient practice of the church; icons and mandalas can be windows through which God's grace flows.

These are but a few treasured spiritual practices of our faith, and that can be done alone or in gatherings. We encourage you to make one or more of these practices a part of all your meetings/gatherings, that God's grace might continue to transform and connect us to learn, to love and to lead.