Exercises and Experiments

Ancient Practices: Praying with Your Imagination

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St. Ignatius of Loyola inspired a practice of imaginative, interactive prayer; prayer that exchanges holy words and pictures back and forth between us and God. This is prayer that engages our full sacred mind and imagination in participating in prayer and Scripture with Jesus. This is prayer that invites Jesus to show and speak, to take us by the hand and pull us in to what he is doing.  Perhaps you’ve already practiced lectio divina, or “divine reading”.  This practice is traditionally known as visio divina, “divine seeing”.

Created by: Megan Koch

Inductive Bible Study: Getting Under the Surface with Scripture

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Often when we read the Bible, we take it in quickly, or we read it at face value. Consider the difference between looking at a postcard from the ocean, and what it’s like to put on a wetsuit and get underwater to explore it yourself. Inductive study invites us to take a deep dive into scripture. Use this tool as well as the included IVCF Study Guide to experiment with inductive study yourself.

Created by: Megan Koch

Awareness: Training to See More Than Meets the Eye

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In a way, our level of God-awareness is linked to our desire for self-awareness. We say we want to hear God’s voice, but do we really want to hear everything he has to say? This guide considers 2 Kings 6 in light of what holds us back from seeing and hearing God in everyday life.

Created by: Megan Koch

Ancient Practices: Prayer of Examen

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The Ignatian Prayer of Examen is a five-step exercise in observation and orientation. Prayers of examen are a regular “checkup” for your soul.” Ancient practices can put us in touch with God right now. This resource introduces a simple, practical way of prayer that brings more God-awareness and self-awareness into your daily rhythm.

Created by: Megan Koch

Ancient Practices: Forgiveness

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“Burdens are heavy for us because we weren’t born to carry them.” Ancient practices can put us in touch with God right now. This resource provides a practical path to forgiveness in every direction.

Created by: Megan Koch

Ancient Practices: Introduction to Fasting

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“Fasting reveals what holds us back, and makes Jesus brighter than ever.” Ancient practices can put us in touch with God right now. This resource introduces the basics of the christian practice of fasting.

Created by: Megan Koch