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Meeting God in Scripture: A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina
Dallas Willard Center Book Award Finalist
Jesus is speaking to us here and now.
Lectio divina is a practice of Scripture reading that treats the Bible not only as a text to be examined, but also as the living Word of God spoken anew to us. Experienced Bible teacher Jan Johnson gives us forty Scripture meditations, organized topically, giving us the tools we need to practice lectio divina on our own. Each meditation can be used both individually and in group settings, and includes
an introductory space of quiet along with an optional preparatory exercise;the full text of a passage from Scripture with explanations of unusual or important words, and with cultural and historical background as needed;cues to help us enter the text;space to contemplate the passage, respond to God in prayer and rest in his presence; andan exercise to "try on" one of the main ideas of the passage in our daily lives.Meeting God in Scripture moves us beyond merely understanding what the text meant in its original context to a direct spiritual encounter with Christ.
Jesus is speaking to us here and now.
Lectio divina is a practice of Scripture reading that treats the Bible not only as a text to be examined, but also as the living Word of God spoken anew to us. Experienced Bible teacher Jan Johnson gives us forty Scripture meditations, organized topically, giving us the tools we need to practice lectio divina on our own. Each meditation can be used both individually and in group settings, and includes
an introductory space of quiet along with an optional preparatory exercise;the full text of a passage from Scripture with explanations of unusual or important words, and with cultural and historical background as needed;cues to help us enter the text;space to contemplate the passage, respond to God in prayer and rest in his presence; andan exercise to "try on" one of the main ideas of the passage in our daily lives.Meeting God in Scripture moves us beyond merely understanding what the text meant in its original context to a direct spiritual encounter with Christ.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2016
129 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Jan Johnson
86 books133 followersJan Johnson is an author (20 books), speaker, college prof and spiritual director. She lives in Simi Valley, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 25, 2017
I was so sad today when I turned the page and realized that I had finished this book. I love Lectio Divina and having a book guide me through it was delightful. I loved the little notes and questions. I just wish there was a sequel.
November 15, 2016
Sacred Reading -- Hands On
Lectio divina, the practice of “sacred reading,” brings to mind images of flickering candles and meditative silences broken only by the turn of a page or the scratch of a pen on paper. The flickering candle I can manage, but my dining room table “command post” is where just about any kind of reading happens at my house, making it no less sacred, of course, but incorporating more interruptions, perhaps, than would be ideal. Maybe this is why I found the framework provided in Jan Johnson’s Meeting God in Scripture to be so helpful. She refers to her guidance as “training wheels” to help readers move toward meaningful meditation upon the truths of Scripture.
Since at least the 5th century, Christians have referred to four traditional steps in lectio divina:
Read (lectio)
Reflect (meditatio)
Respond (oratio)
Rest (contemplatio)
Jan has added Relax and Refocus (silencio) to the beginning and appended Trying it On (incarnatio) to the end, and I found her wording to be extremely helpful in clarifying the intention behind the traditional Latin steps.
For serious students of the Bible, these six steps are likely already happening in some form, however haphazardly. The point of lectio divina is NOT to add another check list to my life, but, rather, to gently invite me to wonder if my reading of Scripture is grounded in careful thinking about the text.
In Jan Johnson’s forty guided meditations based on brief Scripture passages, she demonstrates not only a method of study, but also a manner of questioning and a leisurely and yet purposeful approach to reading with the intent of changing and deepening the way Christians approach the written Word independently:
Relax and Refocus (Silencio) — Often, Jan poses a question to focus the thoughts on the day’s passage. Distractions are offered, palms up, to the God who is present and who stands ready to speak to the believer through His inspired Word. This purposeful pause reinforces the conversational aspect of reading a Living Word.
Read (Lectio) — Here is where we so often go wrong (if we’re not careful). God’s Word is not for skimming, so reading aloud, reading passages repetitively, and reading with a question in mind are all important slow-me-down safeguards. The goal is for the words to “fall on our ear” in such a way that we perceive what is being said. Text for all forty passages that Jan examines are included in the book along with helpful explanatory notes.
Reflect (Meditatio) — The questions and cues provided invite the use of sanctified imagination in the reading of a narrative passage and also encourage readers to approach discourse passages on a quest for the particular truth that “shimmers” for them. God’s invitation, whenever we come to His Word, is to enlarge our understanding of Him through careful reflection on the Truth presented. Jan teaches her readers how to be a “fly on the wall,” observing, for example, likely facial expressions, the probable responses of gathered crowds, and even the physical details of the setting and the clothing that would have been worn.
Respond (Oratio) — This step brings the spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer into one truly God-centered interaction in which we respond to God according to what we believe that we have learned from our careful reading of Scripture. This response may be verbal, musical, or it may take written form as a journal entry or a drawing. It may involve questioning God about His ways or thanking Him for some aspect of His character that has been revealed. The underlying question that drives oratio is: “What do you most need to say to God at this moment?”
Rest (Comtemplatio) — Here in North America, we have already slammed shut the cover of our Bible and bustled off to our next task long before reaching step five, but Jan emphasizes the importance of simply being present to God, absorbing the truth that has been uncovered, and then responding in worship. It is helpful to ask at this point, “What was God up to in this passage?” or “Based on what you have read, what is God like?”
Try It On (Incarnatio) — Incarnational faith involves action that arises out of truth. Jan’s suggestions prime the pump for readers to come up with their own ways to express their living out the truth of a passage.
Integrated throughout Meeting God in Scripture are essays that tackle important questions in the practice of lectio divina. Having taught the Bible for years, I spent a considerable amount of time reading the essay that compares and contrasts meditation and application. Both ask, “How does this passage intersect with my life?” However, meditation is an ongoing conversation with God and results in deep and abiding change in character from the inside out. Application can tend to be more analytical, left-brained, and temporary unless it is supported by solid Scriptural underpinnings.
Among the other important topics that Jan sorts out and ponders are the sanctified imagination, the role of study in lectio divina, and distinguishing the voice of God from my own mental wool-gathering.
A.W. Tozer said it well:
“[The Bible] is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking . . . If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you.”
For those who affirm the truth of this, but find that it is just beyond their present experience, Meeting God in Scripture is a jumping off point — with a little spring in it — to help students of Scripture become airborne, arcing into a passage, slicing past the surface, and then soaking in the depths of its Truth.
//
This book was provided by IVP Books, an imprint of Intervarsity Press, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Lectio divina, the practice of “sacred reading,” brings to mind images of flickering candles and meditative silences broken only by the turn of a page or the scratch of a pen on paper. The flickering candle I can manage, but my dining room table “command post” is where just about any kind of reading happens at my house, making it no less sacred, of course, but incorporating more interruptions, perhaps, than would be ideal. Maybe this is why I found the framework provided in Jan Johnson’s Meeting God in Scripture to be so helpful. She refers to her guidance as “training wheels” to help readers move toward meaningful meditation upon the truths of Scripture.
Since at least the 5th century, Christians have referred to four traditional steps in lectio divina:
Read (lectio)
Reflect (meditatio)
Respond (oratio)
Rest (contemplatio)
Jan has added Relax and Refocus (silencio) to the beginning and appended Trying it On (incarnatio) to the end, and I found her wording to be extremely helpful in clarifying the intention behind the traditional Latin steps.
For serious students of the Bible, these six steps are likely already happening in some form, however haphazardly. The point of lectio divina is NOT to add another check list to my life, but, rather, to gently invite me to wonder if my reading of Scripture is grounded in careful thinking about the text.
In Jan Johnson’s forty guided meditations based on brief Scripture passages, she demonstrates not only a method of study, but also a manner of questioning and a leisurely and yet purposeful approach to reading with the intent of changing and deepening the way Christians approach the written Word independently:
Relax and Refocus (Silencio) — Often, Jan poses a question to focus the thoughts on the day’s passage. Distractions are offered, palms up, to the God who is present and who stands ready to speak to the believer through His inspired Word. This purposeful pause reinforces the conversational aspect of reading a Living Word.
Read (Lectio) — Here is where we so often go wrong (if we’re not careful). God’s Word is not for skimming, so reading aloud, reading passages repetitively, and reading with a question in mind are all important slow-me-down safeguards. The goal is for the words to “fall on our ear” in such a way that we perceive what is being said. Text for all forty passages that Jan examines are included in the book along with helpful explanatory notes.
Reflect (Meditatio) — The questions and cues provided invite the use of sanctified imagination in the reading of a narrative passage and also encourage readers to approach discourse passages on a quest for the particular truth that “shimmers” for them. God’s invitation, whenever we come to His Word, is to enlarge our understanding of Him through careful reflection on the Truth presented. Jan teaches her readers how to be a “fly on the wall,” observing, for example, likely facial expressions, the probable responses of gathered crowds, and even the physical details of the setting and the clothing that would have been worn.
Respond (Oratio) — This step brings the spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer into one truly God-centered interaction in which we respond to God according to what we believe that we have learned from our careful reading of Scripture. This response may be verbal, musical, or it may take written form as a journal entry or a drawing. It may involve questioning God about His ways or thanking Him for some aspect of His character that has been revealed. The underlying question that drives oratio is: “What do you most need to say to God at this moment?”
Rest (Comtemplatio) — Here in North America, we have already slammed shut the cover of our Bible and bustled off to our next task long before reaching step five, but Jan emphasizes the importance of simply being present to God, absorbing the truth that has been uncovered, and then responding in worship. It is helpful to ask at this point, “What was God up to in this passage?” or “Based on what you have read, what is God like?”
Try It On (Incarnatio) — Incarnational faith involves action that arises out of truth. Jan’s suggestions prime the pump for readers to come up with their own ways to express their living out the truth of a passage.
Integrated throughout Meeting God in Scripture are essays that tackle important questions in the practice of lectio divina. Having taught the Bible for years, I spent a considerable amount of time reading the essay that compares and contrasts meditation and application. Both ask, “How does this passage intersect with my life?” However, meditation is an ongoing conversation with God and results in deep and abiding change in character from the inside out. Application can tend to be more analytical, left-brained, and temporary unless it is supported by solid Scriptural underpinnings.
Among the other important topics that Jan sorts out and ponders are the sanctified imagination, the role of study in lectio divina, and distinguishing the voice of God from my own mental wool-gathering.
A.W. Tozer said it well:
“[The Bible] is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking . . . If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you.”
For those who affirm the truth of this, but find that it is just beyond their present experience, Meeting God in Scripture is a jumping off point — with a little spring in it — to help students of Scripture become airborne, arcing into a passage, slicing past the surface, and then soaking in the depths of its Truth.
//
This book was provided by IVP Books, an imprint of Intervarsity Press, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
January 3, 2018
As someone who grew up Evangelical, I learned an early appreciation (even if not complete understanding) of the Bible. That appreciation continues to this day as I consider that, while it’s no longer the source of easy spiritual answers that some of my Sunday school teachers taught, it is a useful tool “for training in righteousness.” Which is why I am happy to have read Meeting God in Scripture: A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina.
Jan Johnson’s book invites us to go deeper into the Bible in a way that many -- even skeptics -- will find helpful. Her book is no polemic about why one should do Bible study or defense of scripture or anything else of that ilk. Rather it’s an invitation.. In her brief but important introduction, Johnson introduces the reader to a new type of lectio divina (Latin for “sacred reading”). She takes the four traditional pieces—lectio (read), meditatio (meditate), oratio (pray), contemplatio (contemplate)—and adds two more: silencio (relax and refocus) and incarnatio (trying it on).
The 40 meditations cover a wide range of topics from knowing God as love to life in the Spirit to openness to the Spirit to the good and peaceable kingdom to finding courage in life’s storms and many more. Each meditation begins with silence and centering, the full text of scriptural passages (including explanations of unusual or important words and their meanings in the original Hebrew or Greek), questions to help the reader enter the text, questions about what in the passage touches a deep part in the reader, important cultural or historical information about the passage, and exercises about implementing the main ideas of the passage as fits the reader’s experience and life.
This is powerful stuff, especially the silences and spaces she creates in each topic for reflection and application. Meeting God in Scripture is a helpful book for individual and group use. This is one book that is staying in my library.
Jan Johnson’s book invites us to go deeper into the Bible in a way that many -- even skeptics -- will find helpful. Her book is no polemic about why one should do Bible study or defense of scripture or anything else of that ilk. Rather it’s an invitation.. In her brief but important introduction, Johnson introduces the reader to a new type of lectio divina (Latin for “sacred reading”). She takes the four traditional pieces—lectio (read), meditatio (meditate), oratio (pray), contemplatio (contemplate)—and adds two more: silencio (relax and refocus) and incarnatio (trying it on).
The 40 meditations cover a wide range of topics from knowing God as love to life in the Spirit to openness to the Spirit to the good and peaceable kingdom to finding courage in life’s storms and many more. Each meditation begins with silence and centering, the full text of scriptural passages (including explanations of unusual or important words and their meanings in the original Hebrew or Greek), questions to help the reader enter the text, questions about what in the passage touches a deep part in the reader, important cultural or historical information about the passage, and exercises about implementing the main ideas of the passage as fits the reader’s experience and life.
This is powerful stuff, especially the silences and spaces she creates in each topic for reflection and application. Meeting God in Scripture is a helpful book for individual and group use. This is one book that is staying in my library.
October 18, 2025
Not biblical.
Starts off on page 1 with what felt like a yoga practice of turning your palms up and down signifying giving distractions to God and then receiving His peace…Right after telling you to breathe in and out and move your neck? Uhhh…no thank you. Why? Where is this in scripture and God is greater than all that. Weird.
Then discusses how to put “God” in place of “Love” in 1 Corinthians 13 which really muddies the water because you get to a point where she’s writing out that “God does not envy” and later shows a translation stating “God knows no jealous” (pg 23) yet scripture CLEARLY states that God IS a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5)
I pretty much stopped reading at this point.
I don’t write this to be cruel or negative but to warn those who have an interest, to know the Word for yourself, so this doesn’t cause confusion.
Starts off on page 1 with what felt like a yoga practice of turning your palms up and down signifying giving distractions to God and then receiving His peace…Right after telling you to breathe in and out and move your neck? Uhhh…no thank you. Why? Where is this in scripture and God is greater than all that. Weird.
Then discusses how to put “God” in place of “Love” in 1 Corinthians 13 which really muddies the water because you get to a point where she’s writing out that “God does not envy” and later shows a translation stating “God knows no jealous” (pg 23) yet scripture CLEARLY states that God IS a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5)
I pretty much stopped reading at this point.
I don’t write this to be cruel or negative but to warn those who have an interest, to know the Word for yourself, so this doesn’t cause confusion.
August 10, 2019
Good guided practice for how to implement the Lectio Divina spiritual discipline. As it's designed mainly for people with very little experience doing it, it might come across as too guided for some, but everything is just a suggestion anyway, so let the Spirit do the real guiding. I appreciated the practice, especially the suggestions of how to modify for small groups.
September 13, 2021
This one took me a while because I read only one chapter a day, mostly on weekends. But it was really good to work the practice of lectio divina into my prayer and Scripture reading. I did better with the questions that were specific to the specific passages than the ones that were constants, but I can see the beauty in the rhythm of it.
May 20, 2024
This book was very helpful to me. It helped me to grasp the relational aspect of bible reading. I have always viewed bible reading as something on my “to do” list and have struggled to make the reading part of the daily conversation with Christ. This gave me new perspective and was very insightful!
December 31, 2024
This is the best book I have used for practical Lectio Divina, and one of the best devotional/Bible study books I've ever read. I found the format very helpful, with a lot of great background info and insight into the text. Meeting God in Scripture gave me so much to ponder and reflect on. I highly recommend it.
September 13, 2023
A great resource for daily Lectio Divina. Well formatted, and presented with helpful background information and questions on a wide collection of new testament passages.
November 12, 2016
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.
“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).”
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.
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.
"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.
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!
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.”
Rich Lewis
www.SilenceTeaches.com
“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).”
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.
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.
"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.
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!
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.”
Rich Lewis
www.SilenceTeaches.com
February 16, 2019
Excellent book about how to meditate on scripture. The author uses 40 scripture passages to walk you through your time with God and mediate on what He wants you to gleen from your meeting. A great way to see where God is inviting us to join Him.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews