Many read the Bible but do not grasp anything. As a result, they are discouraged from using the Bible as a guide while praying. Some don’t even know the verses of the scripture that suit their needs per time.
This is where your expert knowledge will play an important role.
You can write a devotional book to help struggling teens, youths, and adults in church. If you feel there’s no credibility to your name, pass it to the church committee to endorse or get it printed anonymously as a resource for the youth.
Before you begin, go through the steps in this article to ensure you stay on track while writing the devotional book to the youths in church.
Who are Devotionals Written For?
- Teens
- Men
- Women
- Grandparents
- Students at college
- Veterans
- Teachers
- Athletes
- And anyone you can think of.
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How to Write a Devotional Book or Message in Less Words
1.Understand your topic
It is usual for authors to suggest starting with the end in mind. They may even tell you to prepare your audience by determining where you want to take them before you begin. In contrast to other written works, writing a devotional requires you to delve deeply into God’s Word. This suggests that the application and purpose were decided long before you started writing.
Make a pledge to prayer and in-depth study to begin. You need to do some spiritual work in order for the devotional to be helpful to the audience. “Start with the study of the text in the original language, if possible,” says Dr. Matt Harmon. It is important to understand what the human and divine authors meant to communicate.
What was going on in the world at the time this passage was written? What did God reveal to those who heard it first? Why is this still important in today’s world and society? When studying a topic, ask all of these questions.
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2.Recognize the target audience
When writing a devotional, this may seem clear. What good is it if the people you’re writing to don’t understand what they’re reading? To write properly, you must first understand your audience.
Are you writing for a specific group or a general readership? What are their problems, requirements, and sources of discomfort? Consider what information they need to hear and what else they may be hearing about this topic. Ultimately, keeping intellectual integrity is more important than writing a best-seller that leaves little potential for personal growth.
Consider your readers’ reading speed. How much learning can children absorb in a single sitting? This will determine chapter lengths and the rate at which you move from facts to thoughts. Ultimately, you do not want to give them more than they can handle.
3.Understand the points of your application.
Too many writers have an application that they hope their readers will use before they read the Bible. As a result, they try to interpret scripture to suggest something it does not explicitly stated.
When evaluating a biblical chapter, Dr. Harmon suggests looking at how it fits into the overarching story of the Bible and how it relates to other passages that discuss relevant issues. This is, in many ways, a continuation of our first piece of advice, because understanding how God wants us to apply the truth requires an understanding of what God reveals in Scripture.
With this information in hand, you can finally decide what you want to do for the reader. Are you trying to persuade, inspire, instruct, or convince someone? What do you want them to do? What should they learn?
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4.Recognize your voice
Finally, if you use your unique voice in your writing, your readers will gain the most. Numerous devotionals and Bible study guides written by various authors are accessible. You don’t need to have their voice.
Guys really shouldn’t write a devotional about the ups and downs of a mom. Write about what you have experienced and convey the message that God has put in your heart. This is when your passion will shine through the most.
5.Recognize the purpose in your writing
This final piece of advice boils down to believing in the purpose behind the devotional you are writing. Do you consider yourself a child of God? Present the truth of God’s Word using your unique experiences.
Five Fundamental Patterns for Writing a Devotional Book
1. The introspective analysis
Use stories and personal experiences to share important information. Every recollection contains a lesson or application based on the chosen Scripture text.
2. A Third-Party Witness Reports
You are sharing someone else’s story here. Real names may be changed or used with permission in the story, as long as they are accurate.
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3. Your interaction with others.
If the devotional is based on your interaction with others; use words like “My son taught me a lesson one day when I was walking him to school …”
4. Lesson on Objects
Draw a parallel between an event or situation and a tangible item. Jesus typically used metaphors for this structure, such as a tower, a light and a bushel, a mustard seed, or a Roman coin.
Object lesson devotionals allow readers to see the link between the lesson and the object right away. “Trees killed by tsunami-induced saltwater intrusion will remain erect and occupy space, but they will not yield any fruit. Individuals who attend church on Sundays and sit in a pew but do not share their faith with others during the week are similar to these trees.”
5. A Phrase with Two Meanings
Convert a well-known statement from a song, lyric, advertisement, or history record into a Christian proverb, like “A day without Sonshine is a gloomy day.”
One devotional author titled his work “Corps Values vs. Core Values,” comparing the tight discipline expected by US Marines to the discipline that Christians should practice.
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Conclusion
It is easy to write a devotional for people in church. Make it succinct, but get your backing from the word of God, which is our anchor. We hope this article has made it clear and easy to pen down that burden in your heart to edify the church. I await reading your piece!
References
- Jerryjenkins – how to write a devotional for church youth
- Seminary grace – how to write a devotional book
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