STEP 1 – READ AND NOTE
In Logopraxis we acknowledge that, because of the way the texts of Divine Revelation are formed, they anchor our awareness of the Lord’s presence within us in a way that nothing else can. Find a quiet space and give yourself a moment to clear your mind as you approach the Text.
As you read: –
- Take note of (or mark) the areas that catch your attention,
- Record specific impressions,
- List any initial insights or questions that you become aware of.
STEP 2 – REVIEW & SELECT
The aim is to choose something from what you marked up in Step 1. What catches your attention? What is reaching out to you? Avoid analysing why at this stage. You’re looking to get a sense of what portion of the Text seems to resonate most strongly for you.
You may quickly identify one particular portion of Text. You may hold your selected areas of Text in mind over a few days, perhaps reading through them before you make a choice which will form the basis for developing a work task in Step 3.In Logopraxis, our task is a spiritual principle/truth taken from the Text and then reframed into a form that we can engage with so that we might experience how it is true for us. The task therefore becomes a prompt to remind us to observe this principle in our day-to-day life. The task will serve as a spiritual focus over the remainder of the 2-weeks so that we may become more aware of the thoughts and feelings that we experience.
STEP 3 – CREATING A TASK
In Logopraxis, our task is a spiritual principle/truth taken from the Text and then reframed into a form that we can engage with so that we might experience how it is true for us. The task therefore becomes a prompt to remind us to observe this principle in our day-to-day life. The task will serve as a spiritual focus over the remainder of the 2-weeks so that we may become more aware of the thoughts and feelings that we experience.
STEP 4 – PUT THE TASK INTO PRACTISE AND LIVE IT!
It can be helpful to keep a journal to record your work with your task in this second week. As well as remaining conscious of the task itself, notice whatever may come up in opposition to your task.It can be helpful to keep a journal to record your work with your task in this second week. Seek to stay conscious of what comes up in opposition to your task, as well as the task itself.
STEP 5 – REFLECT
The following questions are offered as a framework for reflecting on your experience of the task: –
- What happened when I remembered to implement my task?
- What thoughts and feelings did I notice?
- What happened when I forgot the task, or struggled to remember it?
- What thoughts and feelings did I notice then?
- What is the Lord allowing or asking me to see?
- What has He taught me concerning the nature and quality of my thoughts and affections over this session?
- What principle/s from the Text is/are illustrated in my experience?
STEP 6 – PREPARE A SUBMISSION
Typically, a submission includes the following: –
- The number of the paragraph and the chosen piece of Text you worked with.
- The spiritual principle and task that you drew from this.
- A short summary of what your work revealed for you over the period.
The submission describes how we experienced the Word working in us, and the material that we gather individually in our practice, when shared with our Life Group, is the Lord’s gift which is given to support the spiritual lives of others in the group as well as the group as a collective whole.
*Remember – like any new practice, it can take a while to get into the rhythm of things. Walk gently with yourself through the process and trust that whatever arises is what the Lord is offering you.
