I am excited to share my review of Meeting God In Scripture: A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina by Jan Johnson. Jan is an author, speaker and spiritual director. You can learn more about Jan at JanJohnson.org.
Jan Johnson’s, Meeting God in Scripture is a book that I will leave on my bedside table. Each time I pick it up, I find myself coming back to the same passages until the passages are done speaking to me. Only then do I know it is time to move on.
I received this book for free to review and this post may contain affiliate links.
Lectio Divina
“One colleague urged me to write this book to provide “training wheels” to help people move into Scripture meditation.” In Meeting God in Scripture Jan shares how to practice Lectio Divina. “There are four traditional steps in lectio divina—Read (lectio), Reflect (meditatio), Respond (oratio) and Rest (contemplatio).” 
Relax and Refocus
Jan has added two additional steps that I found particularly helpful. I think you will feel that way too! At the beginning of each session she makes suggestions for what she refers to as “Relax and Refocus” (silencio). It is vital that we learn how to slow down and prepare to receive God’s Word.
Trying It On
Jan also expresses that we need to incarnate God’s Word. She describes this as, “Trying It On “(incarnatio)”. Here she offers key questions that nudge us to take some action that embodies a truth found in the passage.
Meditation Exercises
Meeting God in Scripture contains forty meditation exercises that are organized by topic. We are to feel free to choose the topic that the Spirit moves us to select before we begin our session. Each meditation exercise is filled with questions and commentary that will help you move through the four steps of lectio.
Relish this Time
We are reminded that we must never become discouraged. We are to relish our time spent with God. “So if nothing comes to you, simply cherish the time of Scripture meditation as time spent with God.”
I practice centering prayer on a daily basis. Centering prayer opens me to the presence and action of God within: Rest (contemplatio). Lectio has become an important and wonderful complement to my centering prayer practice.
Jan’s book has helped me deepen my relationship with God. Jan’s book has helped me become more open to what the Spirit wants to share with me as I read Scripture. I am grateful that God shared Jan’s book with me!
Next Steps
If you want to learn more about lectio divina or go deeper in your existing practice I encourage you to check out this book. I do not think you will be disappointed.
As Jan mentions, let the Spirit remake you! “Scripture meditation goes much deeper than simple application. It opens us up to being completely undone by the Spirit and remade in the presence of the Word of God.”
Go Further
Meeting God in Scripture: A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina by Jan Johnson
When the Soul Listens: Finding Rest and Direction in Contemplative Prayer by Jan Johnson
Invitation to the Jesus Life: Experiments in Christlikeness by Jan Johnson
Lectio Divina—The Sacred Art: Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer (The Art of Spiritual Living) by Christine Valters Paintner
Lectio Divina Heart to Heart – Listening and Living with God by Contemplative Outreach: The ancient practice of praying the Scriptures is being rediscovered and renewed in our time. Known as Lectio Divina (Divine Reading), it is one of the great treasures of the Christian tradition of prayer.
Thomas Berry: Prophet and Mystic of the Earth by Kathleen Deignan, Kevin Cawley: In this exclusive e-course developed for Spirituality & Practice, Kathleen and Kevin will draw out the contemplative depth and call to practice in Berry’s works. They will focus on foundational themes from his life — like Storyteller of the Universe, Mystic of the Meadow, and Master of Creation Spirituality — drawn from Thomas Berry: Selected Writings on the Earth Community, published by Orbis in 2014.
Thomas Merton’s Abiding Legacy by Kathleen Deignan: In this exclusive e-course developed for Spirituality & Practice, Kathleen draws from the rich diversity of Merton’s legacy. The course covers such themes as: Awakening to Living Presence: Fostering the Contemplative Mind, Learning to Live in The Presence: Cultivating the Contemplative Heart, A Vow of Conversation: Engaging Contemplative Practice, Being a Gardener of Paradise: The Flowering of Contemplative Vocation.
Sounds True has titles by teachers and authors such as Thomas Keating, Cynthia Bourgeault, James Finley, Richard Rohr, David Frenette, Parker Palmer , Eckhart Tolle , Michael Singer , Jon Kabat-Zinn , Marianne Williamson to name a few.
Contemplative Light offers courses on contemplative practices (Christian Meditation, Centering Prayer, The Examen, Lectio Divina, The Jesus Prayer), the Christian mystics (ancient and current) and spiritual writing. Peruse their wonderful offerings.
Prayer-Bracelet: Authentic Orthodox prayer ropes and bracelets are handmade by monks in the Orthodox monastaries reciting a prayer for every knot they tie. Peruse their prayer ropes and bracelets that are all handmade, provided by several orthodox churches around the globe.
Centering Prayer Course: A Training Course for Opening to the Presence of God – Centering Prayer is a silent prayer practice that can move you toward a profound relationship with the Spirit of God within. It is a way of praying that opens the door to the Divine Indwelling—the ground of our being. With Centering Prayer, Father Thomas Keating and his colleagues Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler and Father Carl Arico present the first online course in this method for deepening your intimacy with God and ultimately consenting to the presence and action of the Divine in all aspects of your life.
