Spiritual PracticesSample

Reading  the Bible and Journaling

Our perspective of something determines our value of it. 

For example, if the word “Bible” triggers a picture of an old book, the perception will be that the Bible is outdated, irrelevant. If journaling makes you think, “Dear diary...”, your perception might be “Journaling isn’t for me.”  

Whatever ideas a Bible and a journal bring to mind, for the next few minutes set them aside. Because we won’t attempt something we don’t value. 

When we read the Bible, we are hearing from God Himself. 2 Timothy 3:16 says every word of Scripture is “God-breathed.” So when you sit down to read, imagine yourself pulling up a chair as your heavenly Father begins to tell His story, which is your story, too.  

Ephesians 6:17 calls the Bible a sword, capable of cutting down any attack from the enemy. God wants us to win every battle. As we read, we learn who we are and what’s promised to us. Satan can’t convince us we are worthless when we know God calls us His workmanship.

Hebrews 4:12 describes the Bible like a scalpel. It’s often the tool God uses to repair our damaged hearts. As we come across truth in Scripture, it reveals things in our hearts that will kill us from the inside out.

Recovering from surgery can be painful, and reading Scripture can feel the same way. It’s painful to cut away pride, bitterness, insecurity, and fear, but these things will cause far more destruction if left untouched by God’s truth. 

The Bible is God’s heart written down. It assures us of who God is and who we are as His kids. Journaling is related because it’s a way to record and remember God’s faithfulness. 

Write down what you’re learning. Write down what you hear God saying. Reflect on the prayers He’s answered and the reasons you have to be thankful each day. 

As we record our experiences with God, our faith grows. We become more accustomed to His voice. And when someone asks why we believe, we can recount the ways we’ve seen God be exactly who He promises to be. 

Reflection Questions:

• After learning how the Bible describes itself, how would you describe its importance to a friend? Has your understanding of why we read the Bible changed?
• What regularly leaves you angry, sad, or frustrated? Where do you find yourself feeling the most anxious or scared? As you continue reading the Bible, write down verses related to these emotions and ask God to show you what you can learn from them.
• What are some experiences you’ve had with God that you want to remember? That could be a great place to start journaling!