5. Operatio – Faithful Witness in Daily Life

There is a power in God’s word than can profoundly change people’s lives. The word is like life-giving rain; if
we receive it and let it soak in, it will produce fruit (Isa 55:10-11). Studying the Bible can never stop with
communicating information; it must be oriented toward personal transformation.

Stories abound of the transforming effects of Bible study groups in parishes. People immersed in Scripture
think and act differently. They take ownership of their faith, bear fruit in ministry, and serve people in need.

Part of the fruit of effective Bible study is the desire to bring other people into the experience. If the word of
God is having an impact in our lives, we will want others to have that experience too. Early Christianity grew
so rapidly because people saw that those spiritual communities had something that they
wanted. We can always judge our effectiveness as a community of faith by how much people want to join us.

The fruit of lectio divina is evangelization.
Lectio Divina
Bible Study

The risen Jesus said: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking;
if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you” (Rev 3:20).