In a world filled with noise and distractions, do you long to hear the voice of God? Do you wonder how God wants to speak to you in this present moment—right here, right now—in whatever is on your heart?
Jesus says, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home in him” (John 14:23). The Lord comes to us through His Word, and it is in Sacred Scripture that He invites us to abide in Him.
Yes, through the Living Word of God, Jesus quiets our hearts in order for us to hear Him speak directly to us—offering guidance, comfort, and unwavering love.
But Who Am I?
However, often we feel unworthy to approach the Lord. Perhaps we have been away from God for a while and are just getting reacquainted with Him. Or maybe we simply don’t have a lot of faith formation. We desire to grow in holiness, but we feel like impostors.
Does God really want to speak to my heart?
The good news is that Jesus came for all of us, and He desires a personal relationship with each and every one of us. And there is no better place to experience that firsthand than through Scripture, His very Word.
Begin to Read Divinely
In order to hear how the Lord desires to speak to us through His Word, Abide in His Love, a Bible study on the Gospel of John written by Blessed Is She’s Associate and Theological Editor Susanna Spencer, encourages us to read and pray with Scripture.
One way to read is through the spiritual discipline of lectio divina, or divine reading. This method of prayer, taught by the Church for centuries, is practiced by reading Scripture slowly and reflectively, in order to move into a conversation with God. This conversation can include telling God what stands out to you in the Scripture you are praying with, as well as asking Him to reveal insights about Himself or your current situation as they apply to the passage.
Another way to read the Gospels or other narrative passages in Scripture is from Saint Ignatius of Loyola and is called imaginative prayer. With this form of prayer, we prayerfully imagine ourselves in the scene and allow God to speak to us through the dialogue and action.
Both of these intentional approaches to prayer create the space we need to truly listen to God’s voice as He speaks directly to us through His Word.
Your Invitation Awaits
As we open our Bibles, Abide in His Love invites us to quiet the clamor, listen intently, and intimately connect with Jesus in Sacred Scripture. This study guides us to encounter the Living Word with fresh eyes and an open heart, as we read the Gospel of John with intentionality, pray with profound depth, and abide in the love of Jesus Christ.
This personal study begins with an insightful introduction, carefully laying the groundwork for what lies ahead. Then, we embark on a six-part exploration of John’s Gospel, which allows for deeper understanding and integration of the biblical text. The final conclusion draws together the threads of this study and encourages us to continue nurturing our growing relationship with Christ.
Share the Good News With Others
Whether we seek to deepen our personal devotion in quiet solitude or desire to enrich our understanding of John’s Gospel within a small group setting—or a little bit of both!—Abide in His Love is designed to seamlessly integrate into our spiritual life.
Each of the six parts includes prompts that serve as catalysts for personal reflection as well as meaningful conversation. These prompts help us delve deeper into the text, apply it to our own life, and share our insights with others.
Discover Treasures Within
Abide in His Love is filled with resources to enrich our prayer and our Scripture study:
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Six Comprehensive Parts // Each of the six parts of Abide in His Love begins with an introductory reflection that sets the stage for the subsequent chapters. Each part ends with a reflective conclusion, tying up the main themes of the chapters.
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Pray with Scripture // Abide in His Love encourages slow reading and lingering with passages that stand out.
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Place Yourself in the Scene // Throughout the study, guided meditations introduce readers to imaginative prayer, or Ignatian contemplation.
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Engaging Prompts and Spiritual Insights // Thoughtful questions and insightful reflections in each section spark deeper understanding and personal application of the Scripture.
Part of a Series
Abide in His Love is part of the Blessed Is She Catholic Bible Study Series, which has been crafted to guide readers into enriching experiences with all four Gospels. In addition to John, also explore the companion studies on the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (and Luke coming soon!) to gain a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Each study is written by Susanna, a trusted and respected voice in Catholic spiritual writing. Her thoughtful and prayerful approach and deep understanding of Scripture guide us on a meaningful and enriching journey through each of the four Gospels.
In addition, Abide in His Love, as well as all of Blessed Is She’s Gospel studies, carries the official Imprimatur from the Catholic Church, signifying that its content is in full accord with Catholic teaching and can be used with confidence in our spiritual formation.
And of course, the beautiful design provides lovely imagery, as well as ample space for prayer journaling.
Grow Closer to Jesus
The ultimate aim of Abide in His Love is to facilitate a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus. With the turn of every page, we will grow closer to Him, as our lives become more deeply rooted in His boundless love and presence.
Sarah Damm is the blog manager and a writer for Blessed Is She. She also is a frequent contributor to other faith-based platforms. Residing in Minnesota with her husband and six children, Sarah was a stay-at-home mom for 21 years, until she returned to the workforce in 2023. Sarah enjoys attending her kids' volleyball, football, basketball, or baseball games (depending on the season). She loves her faith, coffee, walks with her husband, and good books. Read Sarah's posts here. You can find out more about her here.
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