As a teenage believer, it can be challenging to find meaningful ways to connect with God on a daily basis. Lectio Divina is a powerful spiritual practice that allows us to deepen our relationship with God through the reading and meditation of Scripture.
Lectio Divina is a spiritual practice that involves reading and meditating on Scripture in a contemplative and prayerful manner. The term “Lectio Divina” comes from Latin and means “divine reading.” This ancient practice dates back to the early centuries of Christianity and was originally practiced by monks as a way to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and to draw closer to Him.
Today, it is a common practice among Christians of all denominations who seek to cultivate a deeper relationship with God through the reading and contemplation of Scripture. Lectio Divina typically involves four stages: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation). The goal of this practice is not to simply read and understand the text intellectually, but to allow God to speak to the heart through the Holy Spirit, and to respond in prayer and obedience. By engaging in Lectio Divina, believers can experience a deeper connection with God and a greater sense of spiritual renewal and transformation.
You can read more about Lectio Divina in this Ultimate Guide to Lectio Divina for Beginners.
In this post, we’ll provide 30 Lectio Divina passages that are particularly relevant for our young teenage believers.
10 Lectio Divina Passages for Young Teenage Believers:
- Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd – This beloved psalm reminds us that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us through all of life’s ups and downs. As you read this passage, meditate on the ways in which God has been a shepherd in your life, and ask for guidance and protection as you navigate the challenges of adolescence.
- Isaiah 40:28-31: Those Who Wait on the Lord – This passage encourages us to trust in God’s strength and guidance, even when we feel weak or uncertain. As you read this passage, reflect on the ways in which you can wait on the Lord and trust in His plan for your life.
- Matthew 5:13-16: Salt and Light – In this passage, Jesus encourages his followers to be salt and light in the world, shining God’s love and truth to those around us. As you read this passage, consider how you can be a light for Christ in your school, community, and beyond.
- Romans 12:1-2: Living Sacrifices – This passage reminds us that our lives are meant to be living sacrifices, dedicated to God’s service and glory. As you read this passage, reflect on how you can offer your talents, gifts, and passions to God’s service. Ask God for His guidance in leading your life to His kingdom work.
- 1 Corinthians 13: The Way of Love – This beautiful passage describes the importance of love in all aspects of our lives. As you read this passage, consider how you can show love to those around you, even in difficult situations. Spend more time meditating on the love of God, which was shown to the world through His son, Jesus Christ on the cross.
- Galatians 5:22-23: The Fruit of the Spirit – This passage describes the fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As you read this passage, reflect on how these fruits are evident in your life, and ask God to help you cultivate them even more.
- Ephesians 6:10-18: The Armor of God – This passage describes the armor of God, which we can use to protect ourselves from spiritual attacks. As you read this passage, consider the ways in which you can put on the armor of God and stand firm in your faith. Ask God to give instructions and teachings for each aspect of the armor so that you can apply to your daily life.
- Philippians 4:4-9: Rejoice in the Lord – This passage encourages us to find joy in the Lord, even in difficult circumstances because complete joy is already given to us by what Jesus did on the cross. As you read this passage, reflect on the ways in which you can cultivate joy and gratitude in your daily life, and ask God to help you find peace in all situations.
- Colossians 3:12-17: Put on the New Self – This passage reminds us to put on the new self, filled with the Holy Spirit and the outcomes of the union: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. As you read this passage, consider how you can put on the new self and live out these virtues in your relationships and interactions with others.
- 1 John 4:7-21: God is Love – This beautiful passage reminds us that God is love, and his work of salvation is the complete representation of His love. With his perfect plan of salvation, we are called to love one another as He loves us. As you read this passage, reflect on how you can show God’s love to those around you, and ask Him.
20 Lectio Divina Passages from 4 Books of Gospels for Teenagers:
- Matthew 6:25-34 – Jesus teaches his disciples not to worry about their lives, but to trust in God’s provision.
- Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus calms the storm on the sea and demonstrates his power over nature.
- Luke 10:25-37 – The parable of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus teaches about the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
- John 11:1-44 – The story of Lazarus’ resurrection, in which Jesus shows his power over death and teaches his disciples about the importance of faith.
- Matthew 7:24-27 – Jesus teaches his disciples to build their lives on a foundation of obedience to his teachings, rather than on shifting sands.
- Mark 5:21-43 – The healing of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood, in which Jesus shows his power over sickness and death.
- Luke 15:11-32 – The parable of the prodigal son, in which Jesus teaches about God’s grace and the importance of repentance.
- John 8:1-11 – The story of the woman caught in adultery, in which Jesus shows compassion and forgiveness to a woman who has sinned.
- Matthew 18:21-35 – The parable of the unforgiving servant, in which Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiveness and mercy.
- Mark 12:28-34 – Jesus summarizes the law by teaching his disciples to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbor as themselves.
- Luke 19:1-10 – The story of Zacchaeus, in which Jesus shows his willingness to reach out to even the most despised and marginalized members of society.
- John 3:1-21 – The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, in which Jesus teaches about the necessity of being born again and the nature of God’s love.
- Matthew 5:1-12 – The Beatitudes, in which Jesus teaches about the blessedness of those who live in accordance with God’s values.
- Mark 10:46-52 – The healing of blind Bartimaeus, in which Jesus shows his compassion and power to heal.
- Luke 7:36-50 – The story of the sinful woman who anoints Jesus’ feet, in which Jesus shows his willingness to forgive and his love for those who have been rejected by society.
- John 13:1-17 – Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, teaching them about the importance of humility and service.
- Matthew 28:1-10 – The resurrection of Jesus, in which the women at the tomb encounter the risen Lord and are commissioned to spread the good news.
- Mark 16:1-8 – The resurrection of Jesus, in which the women at the tomb are told to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen.
- Luke 24:13-35 – The road to Emmaus, in which Jesus appears to two of his disciples and teaches them about the significance of his death and resurrection.
- John 20:1-18 – The resurrection of Jesus, in which Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Lord and becomes the first to proclaim the good news of the resurrection.
These passages are excellent for teenagers and young adults who are looking to deepen their faith and grow in their relationship with Jesus. By practicing Lectio Divina with these passages, they can learn to listen to God’s voice and respond to his leading in their lives.
No matter what faith stage you are in, Lectio Divina is a great tool to dive deeper into scriptures. You can practice this with a group of believers or yourself in a quiet time and place.
By engaging in contemplative reading and prayerful reflection on Scripture, young Christians can open their hearts to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and experience a deeper connection with God’s Word.
The 30 passages suggested in this post are just a starting point for practicing Lectio Divina. There are countless other passages in the Bible that can serve as a source of inspiration and wisdom for those seeking to draw closer to God. So let us encourage our youth to engage in this ancient and transformative practice, and may their hearts be filled with the love and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For more Lectio Divina passages, please continue to read our blog or return to it when needed!
