If the name sounds strange, that’s because it’s in Latin. Lectio Divina means divine reading and is a way of reading the Scriptures most often found in the monastic life.

However this Lent that special kind of Bible study will be the norm at weekly sessions at First Presbyterian Church in Ironton and the community is invited to learn more.

“Lent is a time for self-examination,” Jan Williams, pastor of First Presbyterian, said. “We read the Scripture and the Scripture reads us. This is a way of letting the Scripture read us in a way that is transformative, that helps us live our Christian commitment more seriously.”

The sessions, which will be each Wednesday starting at 5:45 p.m., will focus on one participant reading aloud a passage from Scripture. Then each person at the Bible study will say a word from the passage that has particular meaning.

“The whole thing depends on trust in the Holy Spirit,” Williams said. “Sometimes it is obvious. Sometimes it is a word that jumps off the page.”

Then the passage is read again with participants offering a phrase or concept that they find in the lines. A third time the passage is read and participants share what it says to them that they should do in their lives.

“Lent is the traditional time when people get more introspective for six weeks before Easter, the celebration,” Williams said.

Lectio is also a process that can also be done by the individual, more like meditation.

“You sit by yourself and let everything else go,” she said. “It is you and Scripture and the Holy Spirit working through Scripture. It is an experience of transformation and connection.”

The Bible study will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and continue to Holy Week. It is open to anyone, not just members of the church and each session will last an hour. Those attending can also just observe and will not be forced to participate.

“There is no mandate to say a word, no pressure to do anything,” Williams said. “People process things differently. Some speak to find out what we think. Introverts think of what they mean before they speak.”

Introducing this new way of studying Scripture is appropriate for the Lenten season, Williams said.

“(It will be beneficial) if Easter turns out not to be cheap grace,” she said. “If there is an understanding of what Jesus does for us on the cross. If we just don’t go through the motions at Easter and have some deeper meaning. People sometimes take Easter for granted. This is a way for people to go deeper into the meaning of Easter.”

For more information contact the church at 532-0601.

“Everybody is invited but it would be helpful to know in advance to know how many books to have,” Williams said.