The Living Christian Course
Lesson 03: The Power of Journaling
Day 1
Last week we paused to address 15 reasons why someone might not hear God.
We also introduced a wonderful tool called S.T.A.R., which helps us quiet ourselves to hear God.
Before moving on we’ll pause to talk about journaling.
Where does the idea of journaling come from?
What is it good for? How do we do it?
The idea of journaling really comes from the Bible.
God didn’t just write out or dictate to someone one big Bible.
One way the narratives and stories were passed down from one generation to another was orally – they had to carefully memorize them and pass them along that way.
Eventually these were gathered and committed to writing, like the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) and the Gospels (first four books of the New Testament).
In other cases, prophets wrote down prophecies that they received over the years, and then they were collected into a book, often named after the prophet who received and ‘journaled’ them.
Prayer conversations were also written down (journaled).
Now, no one is suggesting that OUR journaling has the same level of authority – of course not!
The point is simply to say that we didn’t come up with the idea of journaling – it has been practiced for thousands of years!
Click here for a simple bible info card that really simple sums up it’s history & book types ➔
3 Types of Journaling
Journaling Type #1
Devotional Journal
This is can be our daily journal, to record things the Lord is primarily saying to us through His Word and listening prayer.
We can use it to record our listening prayer sessions with our spouse, or with others Christians in our church community.
We can use it to record words sent to us from our family, prayer partners, friends or others in the church which they feel was put on their heart for you from God. Of course, we do not have to record everything that we ever receive in prayer, or from others. We should be selective. Otherwise, we’ll just write for the rest of your life!
We can also track answers to our prayers in this journal. This can prove to be a real faith builder and motivator to pray!
Journaling Type #2
Life Journal
This is where we record significant events in our lives, marriages, families, careers and ministries.
This is a selective, but very significant journal, recounting stories of what God has done, including dates, names and places.
Journaling Type #3
History of ___________ Journal
For the founder of Church Renewal, Ray Duerksen (who created this course), this third journal is titled, “History of Southland Journal.” Others may have parts of their lives that require their own journal, though not everyone will.
For this journal, Pastor Ray organizes it by year.
Then each year, when a significant hire, event, development, achievement, record, etc. occurs, he simply puts the date at the left side, followed by a single dash and a one-line descriptor
Occasionally, the event is so huge that it may have two or three lines – but that is seldom.
Of course, there may be some overlap with the Life Journal in some cases.
As soon as he launched Church Renewal, he started a “History of Church Renewal Journal” as well.
Again, this third kind will not be for everyone, but some will find it helpful.
Think
Write down in your own journal something that stood out to you, from the reading you just completed.
What are the three kinds of journals described in this lesson?
What are four ways that we can use a Devotional Journal?
Do
➔ Text or call a few Christian friends. Ask them if they journal, and what kinds of journals they use. Also ask them to share what they have found useful about journaling.
➔ Prepare to start journaling. This can be on paper, or electronically. If you have no journals, start with a devotional journal. Get it ready this week! (put it in your schedule)
➔ If you already have a Devotional Journal, start a Life Journal this week (again, put it in your schedule). And reflect on whether you need the third kind of journal.
➔ Review Philippians 1:3-5, Romans 12:2, James 1:22.
➔ Memorize Matthew 28:19-20 (Interested in a great app that helps with memorizing scripture? Check out The Bible Memory App ➔