Devotional & Inspirational Writing

Course Syllabus

Course Description

This course teaches you to write devotions and short inspirational pieces that point readers to God's Word. You will learn what a devotional is and who reads it, how to handle Scripture faithfully in its context, and how to build a complete devotion with Scripture, a hook, one clear insight, application, prayer, and an action step. You will draw from your own experience and everyday life, write to a specific reader such as a woman coming home, write honest prayers, and try free-verse poems, letters of encouragement, and short posts. You will finish with a seven-day devotional set and an outline for a 30-day collection. Every activity can be completed by hand on paper.

Faith Integration

Psalm 45:1 pictures a heart overflowing with a good matter and a tongue that is the pen of a ready writer. A devotional writer is a servant of the Word, not its master. In this course we handle Scripture with care, quote it accurately, read it in context, and let it say what it says. We write from what God has shown us, with humility, and we invite pastors and mentors to check our work. The goal is never to impress a reader but to help her meet God for herself.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Explain what a devotional is, the forms it takes, and who reads it.
2. Read a verse in its context and avoid proof-texting.
3. Quote Scripture accurately with references and explain why the KJV may be quoted freely in the U.S. while many modern translations require permission.
4. Write a complete devotion with Scripture, hook, insight, application, prayer, and an action step or reflection question.
5. Use personal experience and everyday illustrations while keeping God's Word at the center.
6. Write to a specific reader with fitting tone, words, and examples.
7. Write honest, biblical prayers and short inspirational pieces, and know the rules to check before posting online.
8. Plan a 30-day devotional series and submit work for review with theological humility.

Course Materials

• This student workbook
• A Bible (King James Version)
• A writing notebook or lined paper and a folder
• Index cards or small paper for verse and illustration notes
• Pen or pencil (devices are optional; every assignment may be handwritten)

Weekly Schedule

How You Will Be Graded

To pass this course: earn 70% or higher overall and attend at least 80% of sessions.

Classroom Covenant

• We begin and end each session in prayer. Participation in prayer is always welcome, never required.
• What is shared in class stays in class. We protect one another's stories.
• We speak with respect, listen without interrupting, and disagree with grace.
• We come prepared, do our own work, and ask for help when we need it.
• We follow all facility rules. Safety and security come first.
• We believe the best about one another and about what God can do.

Support & Accommodations

If reading, writing, vision, hearing, or any other need makes a part of this course harder, tell your instructor privately. Materials can be read aloud, enlarged, or completed orally. Missed sessions can be made up using the module pages. If you are transferred or released, your completed work stays on record and you can finish online.

Welcome

Welcome to Devotional & Inspirational Writing. This companion walks beside you with a weekly reading, five devotions for the days between sessions, and a Quick Guide of devotional tools to keep inside your notebook cover. Each devotion here is also a model: notice how it is built, then write your own. Every page can be used with a pen and paper.

How to Use This Companion

• Read the weekly reading after each class session. It takes about 10 minutes.
• Reflect on the questions. These are for you; you do not have to turn them in.
• Meet with God through the five daily devotions between sessions.
• Keep the Quick Guide at the end to carry home after release.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.— Psalm 119:105 (KJV)