5 Things You Will Need
- Bible
- Journal
- Pen
- Reading Schedule
- Day planner or a note pad (use for writing down distracting thoughts as you journal)
Creating a Journal
- If you cannot afford to purchase your own journal, you can easily make your own by using a spiral notebook or a three ring binder. Or simply use any generic book designed for journaling.
- Begin by creating a table of contents in the front of your journal. At the top of each page of the Table of Contents, write down: Date, Scripture, Title/ Topic, and Page. If you are using a spiral notebook, be sure allow several pages in the front of your journal to list all of your journal entries.
- Create your daily journaling pages. At the top of each of the journal pages, write down: Date, Scripture, Title and Page. You will journal on each of these pages using the S.O.A.P. acronym.
- At the back of your journal create a personal prayer list. Allow several pages for all your prayer requests. Write down Date, Prayer, Date Answered.
Beginning to Journal – “3/20”
- Spend the first few minutes praying, asking God to speak uniquely and specifically to your heart for that day. Begin by thanking Him for the day and the opportunity to hear from Him. This is the key to making the most of your journaling time. Ask God for your daily bread, and then allow Him to open your ears to His Word.
- Spend the first 20 minutes reading the daily assigned portion of scriptures and read for one thought. Read for you. Don’t think about others and how your reading might apply to someone else. Be selfish during your devotional time; focus on hearing what God has for you. Ask God for one thought and as you are reading; be open to God causing a single verse to really be your focal point for that day. God will no doubt show you many insights as you read, but read for the one main thought God has for you that day. Be open to God speaking uniquely to your present circumstances. Often we approach God with an idea of what we think we need to hear from Him, when in fact God will often speak to another issue that may be even deeper than we realize.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to mentor you through the men and women of God’s Word as you read. Don’t become overly focused on coming up with an idea of what to journal. Just relax and enjoy the presence of God as you read. Sometimes the first verse you read may be your thought for the day, but keep reading and be open to God showing you other truths.
- Often I have felt as though a certain verse and thought was going to be my focal point for the day, but as I read, God changed it and gave me another even deep insight in another area. God know exactly what you need today, and He promises to meet you every day as you seek Him. Trust Him, knowing that He desires to equip you and empower you each day. Do not beat yourself up if something doesn’t come quickly. Just prayerfully seek the Lord as to what He would like for you to know. If the regular reading is too large for you to finish in 20 minutes consider the lighter reading schedule. It is better to read and understand.
- Spend the next 20 minutes journaling on that one thought that God is speaking to your heart about for that day. Use the acronym ‘S.O.A.P.’
- Give your devotional a title
- End your journal daily bible journaling with 20 minutes of prayer, and then share it with someone!
- Be sure to record the Date, Scripture, Title & Page number in your Table of Contents in the front of your journal.
S for Scripture Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date of your reading schedule. Take time to read and allow God to speak to you. Read straight through only highlighting specific verses that stand out to you, but be careful not to get caught up reading footnotes and cross references. When you are done, look back at what stood out to you and then begin to look for a specific verse that spoke to you that day, and write the book, chapter and verse in your journal. There may be more than one, but prayerfully ask the Lord what He desires for you to focus in on.
O for Observation Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own works, in your journal. You are just observing right now what the verse (s) is saying and what it means or a general idea of what is going on. Observe who, what, when, why and where, actions, reactions and write down your thoughts but be careful not to apply it just yet. (Who, What, Where, When, Why?)
A for Application Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to you and your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today or believe God is showing you through the lives and situations, both bad and good in the text. Ask yourself “what does God want me to do with what I have just read?”
P for Prayer This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to
listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.
Sample Journal Entry
Date: 11/21/11 Title: The Musings of a King Page No. 10
S I Chronicles 11:18 – So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord and he said “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at risk of their own lives?
O David didn’t have to shout at his men to go and bring the water. He didn’t command them to bring it. He simply mused about it. Just the suggestion of the king was enough to motivate these men to action.
A That kind of faith action is the epitome of honor and the fruit of that labor is worthy for only One, the Lord of Lords. There is no higher worship than to be able to recognize the heart sighs of the King, and that is sufficient to move me to take risks, and to break through the lines that the enemy has drawn. How often I wait for a shout, but that does not please the King. I often wait for the hammer to fall before I move, yet I lift my voice in rapture to the latest worship chorus and I call that worship. Instead, worship at its highest level is developing my heart to such a level of sensitivity that even the musings of my King are enough to move me to action.
P Father, may I be so close to You that I can hear Your musings and be moved to action!
Sample of Table of Contents
Date Scripture Title / Topic Page
11/21/11 I Chronicles 11:18 The Musings of A King 10
* This journaling technic is taken from thedivinementor.com
* If you have questions, email me @ peterfriese@calvarychapel.com






