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Meeting God in Scripture: A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina, By Jan Johnson

Meeting God in Scripture

A Hands-On Guide to Lectio Divina

by Jan Johnson

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Meeting God in Scripture
Paperback
$24.99
  • Length: 256 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
  • Published: September 08, 2016
  • Imprint: IVP Formatio
  • ISBN: 9780830846221
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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 theliving 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; and
  • an 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.

REVIEWS

"Jan Johnson has written a wonderful and clear guide to lectio divina. . . . [It] will be of tremendous help to everyone desiring to know God more deeply and to become more like Jesus."Siang-Yang Tan, professor of psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, author of Counseling and Psychotherapy
"In her writing as in person, Jan Johnson finds ordinary ways to guide us into extraordinary experiences—into the very presence of God—with an attentive ear for what God may have to say. What a personal yet practical way to bring the practice of lectio divina into daily life! The coaching Jan provides is spot-on soul guidance and will most certainly help readers greatly increase their capacity for meeting God in Scripture."Mindy Caliguire, founder, Soul Care
"I've found encountering God in Scripture to be my favorite and most life-giving spiritual practice. In Meeting God in Scripture, Jan serves us as a seasoned guide to the classic spiritual practice of lectio divina through these forty well-crafted and inviting meditations. More than an idea book, this is an experience book. I hope you'll read it and grow in your enjoyment of God in Scripture."Alan Fadling, president and founder, Unhurried Living, author of An Unhurried Life
"When we experience abandonment, we look for guideposts to bring about renewal. These Scripture meditation exercises invite us into the presence of God, who creates a safe place for us and draws us into a culture for formation and growth."Glandion Carney, author of The Way of Grace
"Jan Johnson has a particular anointed genius for guiding people into interaction with the living God through his Word. Her winsome, accessible lectio divina exercises have been invaluable to the students at the Renovaré Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation, and it's exciting to see her guides become more widely available. Meeting God in Scripture is a real gift for any of us who desire to spend more time with—and deepen our friendship with—the triune God."Carolyn Arends, director of education, Renovaré
"Finally, a book about engaging Scripture for personal and group transformation has arrived! Jan Johnson has done a great service for evangelicals who have lost an imagination for reading the Bible outside of study or quick inspiration. Meeting God in Scripture is a beautiful reclaiming of lectio divina for our time. Read, ponder, pray, and meditate on the beauty of Scripture as described in these pages and prepare to be changed!"Keith J. Matthews, professor of spiritual formation and leadership, Azusa Pacific Seminary
"Jan does something few contemporary lectio guides do: she preserves the discipline of study that was part of the ancient tradition of lectio divina by providing historical and cultural background for the chosen texts. Her selection of passages is nothing short of brilliant—theologically central, experientially deep, and comprehensively transformational. This guide can be the spark that causes the Word of God to be a fire in your bones once again."Howard Baker, assistant professor of Christian formation, Denver Seminary
"What a great title—and what a great book! God delights to meet with his children in Scripture, and if you're ready to try out a different approach, let Jan Johnson, an experienced and trusted Bible teacher, lead the way with this sound and practical guide. You'll have the opportunity to meditate on thematically arranged passages from various sections of the whole Bible. I really appreciated the just-enough background comments that helped illuminate key words or concepts so that I could put aside immediate questions and enter more fully into the passage. The structured framework and thoughtful questions prodded my pondering to allow God's work in my heart. This guidebook offers nourishing soul food for those with little or much experience in Bible meditation, individually or in a group setting."Klaus Issler, author of Living into the Life of Jesus
"What a great help! Jan is truly a thoughtful and trusted guide. I love the way this book is laid out and the overarching direction it takes us in. Carefully working through this book will change your life."Nathan Foster, director of community life, Renovaré, author of The Making of an Ordinary Saint
"Jesus spoke of the wise disciple who 'brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old,' and this book does just that. It helps the follower of Jesus practice the call of Scripture to be people who meditate frequently on God's truth. The guidance given here is both time-tested by respected ancient writers and practice-tested in everyday life, as this book has grown out of years of fruitful Bible study leadership. There is a thoughtful grounding of the prayer and meditation exercisesin the historical meaning of the text."James C. Wilhoit, professor of core studies, Scripture Press Professor of Christian Education, Wheaton College
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CONTENTS

Introduction
Why Meditate on Scripture?
Part I: What Does God Think of Me?
1. Knowing God as Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
2. Sought After, No Matter What (Luke 15:1-7)
3. Knowing I Am Loved (Isaiah 43:1-7)
4. God's Compassion for the Rebellious (Luke 15:11-24)
5. God's Compassion for the Outwardly Compliant (Luke 15:25-32)
Meditation Is Different from Application
Part II: Who Am I and How Do I Fit In?
6.Blessed with Every Blessing (Ephesians 1:3-14)
7. One in Whom Christ Dwells (Ephesians 2:13-22)
The "Sanctified" Imagination
8. An Identity Completely Changed (Luke 8:26-39)
9. Life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-11, 14)
10. Blessed to Be a Blessing (Genesis 12:1-5; 21:1-7)
Scripture Study and Meditation Work Together
Part III: Living in the Reality of God's Kingdom
11. Relying on the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:10, 25-34)
12. Relyingon the Kingdom, Illustrated (Daniel 6)
Openness to the Spirit
13. The Hidden Yet Powerful Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:24-32, 36-40)
14. The Hidden Yet Powerful Kingdom of God, Illustrated (2 Kings 6:15-23)
15. The Good and Peaceable Kingdom of God (Isaiah 11:1-9)
Am I Hearing God or Making Things Up?
Part IV: Being Transformed into Christ's Likeness
16. Abiding in Christ (John 15:1-11)
17. From Gangster to Giver (Luke 19:1-10)
When Your Mind Wanders
18. Letting Go of the Old Self (Colossians 3:1-11)
19. Embracing the New Self (Colossians 3:12-17)
20. Dying to Self (John 13:1-14)
A Huge Maturity Gap
Part V: Facing Fears, Frustrations, and Discouragement
21. Finding Courage in the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Diving Board Lectio
22. Moving Through a Fearful Journey (Psalm 91)
23. Seeing Jesus in Anger, Grief and Mercy (Mark 3:1-6)
24. Moving from Cynicism toHope (Psalm 27)
What If Nothing Comes to Me?
25. Hearing God in the Midst of Discouragement (1 Kings 19:1-18)
Part VI: Healing Life's Wounds
26. Being Freed from Infirmities (Luke 13:10-17)
27. Knowingthat God Hears Me (Mark 5:24-34)
28. Are You Willing to Be Healed? (John 5:1-9)
Writing Your Prayers
29. Moving from Mourning to Dancing (Psalm 30)
30. Receiving Jesus' Words to Caregivers (Mark 9:14-29)
Part VII: Having the Heart of Christ for Others
31. Loving Others in Truth and Action (James 1:19-27)
32. Moving from Self-Absorption to Humility (Philippians 2:1-16)
Meditation Leads to Transformation
33. Loving the "Stranger(Luke 10:25-37)
34. Choosing Relationship over Judgment (Luke 6:36-38; Matthew 5:43-48)
35. Stepping Out In Compassion (Luke 7:11-17)
Part VIII: Partnering with God in Ministry
36. Cooperating with the Power of God (Ephesians 3:14-21)
37. Responding to the Passion God Puts In Our Hearts (Nehemiah 1?2)
38. Relating to God in Failure (Matthew 14:22-33)
39. Drinking the Cup of Suffering (Matthew 20:20-28)
40. Doing Nothing on My Own (Proverbs 3:5-8)
How To Meditate on Your Own
Acknowledgments
Notes

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BONUS MATERIAL

Download the Meeting God in Scripture group guide.

Watch author Jan Johnson discuss Meeting God in Scripture, the benefits of meditation and where scripture fits in during this 3-part video workshop.

Download the Press Kit.

Dive deeper with this book's YouVersion Bible reading plan

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ABOUT Jan Johnson

Jan Johnson

Jan Johnson, who compiled and edited this devotional, is the author of over twenty books and more than a thousand magazine articles and Bible studies. Her books include Spiritual Disciplines Companion and Meeting God in Scripture.

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