Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III | "Spiritual Formation: Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts" 10/07/26

Main message: The sermon teaches that spiritual formation means internalizing Scripture (not merely memorizing it) through ancient practices like lectio divina, using Psalm 23 as the primary text to show how reading, reciting, meditating, and slowing down deepens relationship with God. The pastor gives practical methods (the eight L's and lectio divina) and assigns daily recitation of Psalm 23 as homework.

Key points:

• Internalize versus memorize: Scripture should become part of your spirit and life, not just something you can recite.
• The eight L's for Bible study: limits (length), literature (genre), language, location (historical/social context), links (related passages), leads (major/minor characters), lessons, and life application.
• Historical/contextual reading matters: examples include how ancient counting (men only) affects the feeding of the 5,000 and how following Jesus threatened imperial structures (tax collector example).
• Power of oral/communal practice: reciting and singing Scripture (sonic resonance) synchronizes communities, engages the whole brain, and unlocks memory and insight.
• Lectio divina steps/homework: create a quiet space, read aloud slowly several times, meditate and apply the eight L's, write in a journal, rest and give thanks — recite Psalm 23 daily using this method.

Scriptures mentioned: Psalm 23, Mark (calling of the disciples), Feeding of the 5,000 (Gospels), Exodus (YHWH)