“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” — Romans 15:4
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Define a devotional and a single devotion
- Name common forms devotional writing takes
- Describe who reads devotionals and what they need
- Explain how devotional writing differs from memoir
Lesson Notes
A Word for the Day
A devotional is writing that helps a reader meet God in His Word and carry one truth into her day. A single entry is often called a devotion. It is usually short, built around one Scripture passage, and ends by turning the reader toward God in prayer and action.
Romans 15:4 says the Scriptures were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. A devotion serves that purpose. It does not replace the Bible; it opens the door and invites the reader to walk through.
Forms Devotionals Take
- Daily devotional books: a reading for each day over 30 days, 40 days, or a full year.
- Themed collections: a short set on one subject, such as waiting, fear, or new beginnings.
- Single devotions: a page for a church bulletin, newsletter, women's group, or ministry handout.
- Study guides: a passage with questions for personal or group study.
- Inspirational short pieces: poems, letters, and short posts (Module 7).
Who Reads Devotionals
Devotional readers usually read in small windows of time: early morning, a lunch break, a bus ride, the minutes before sleep. Many are tired. Some are hurting. Most are looking for one of three things: comfort, direction, or companionship with God.
That means a good devotion is short, clear, true, and usable. It respects the reader's time and leaves her with one thing to hold onto. The Bereans searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Your devotion should send readers back to the Scriptures, not away from them.
Devotion vs. Memoir
In CWP 221 your story was at the center. In a devotion, Scripture is at the center and your story serves it. Memoir asks, What happened, and what did it mean? A devotion asks, What does God's Word say, and how can the reader live it today?
John the Baptist said of Jesus, He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). A devotional writer is a guide who points away from herself. Your experience may open the door, but the reader should leave thinking about God, not about you.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Devotional | Writing that helps a reader meet God in His Word and apply one truth |
| Devotion | A single devotional entry, often one page |
| Reader | The person the writing is meant to serve |
| Takeaway | The one truth the reader should carry into her day |
In-Class Activities
Devotional Taste Test
Your instructor will read three short model devotions. For each one, write: the Scripture reference, the one main idea in a single sentence, and what the reader is asked to do or pray.
Story-Centered or Scripture-Centered?
Your instructor will read six opening paragraphs. For each, write M (memoir: the story is the center) or D (devotion: Scripture is the center) and one word explaining why.
Assignment: Five-Day Reading Log
For five days, read one short Psalm (suggested: Psalms 23, 46, 121, 131, 139) and write three sentences each day:
- One phrase that stood out (copied word for word).
- What it shows about God.
- One way it applies to your day.
Then write half a page: What kind of devotional writing would have helped you most in a hard season? Who would you most like to write for?
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Romans 15:4 says the Scriptures were written so that we might have hope. When has one verse given you hope? Write the verse, where you were, and what it did for you.
Prayer focus: Ask God to make you a faithful servant of His Word and to show you whom He wants you to write for.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
A Door, Not a Destination
Think of a devotion as a door. It is not the room itself. The room is God's Word and God's presence. A good devotion opens the door, holds it, and steps aside so the reader can walk in.
That is why devotions are short. Most readers have only a few minutes: before a shift, on a bus, before sleep. They are not looking for a lecture. They want one true thing from God that they can carry with them.
Lorraine, who led a women's Bible study for years, kept a single index card in her coat pocket with the day's verse and one sentence about it. (Lorraine is a composite example.) She said that card did more for her than any long book. One verse, understood and carried, can hold a whole day together.
In CWP 221 you learned to tell your story. Now you will learn to let your story serve the Word. John the Baptist said, He must increase, but I must decrease. That is the devotional writer's posture.
Think About It
- When do you have a few quiet minutes in your day? ______________________
- What kind of reader would you like to serve? ______________________
- How is pointing to God different from telling your own story? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 1
Written for Our Learning
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.— Romans 15:4 (KJV)
God put His Word in writing so that ordinary people could find hope in it. Your writing can point others back to that hope.
Reflect: Where do you need the comfort of the Scriptures today?
Pray: Lord, give me hope through Your Word.
Do: Copy Romans 15:4 onto a card and carry it.
A Lamp for the Next Step
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.— Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
A lamp does not light the whole road, only the next step. A devotion can help a reader take her next step with God.
Reflect: What is your next step this week?
Pray: Lord, light my next step.
Do: Read one Psalm slowly today.
He Must Increase
He must increase, but I must decrease.— John 3:30 (KJV)
The best devotional writers point away from themselves. The reader should leave thinking about Jesus.
Reflect: Where are you tempted to make yourself the center?
Pray: Lord, let my writing point to You.
Do: Write one sentence about God, not about you.
Morning by Morning
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.— Psalm 5:3 (KJV)
Many readers meet God first thing in the day. A morning habit of Scripture shapes everything after it.
Reflect: What could your first five minutes with God look like?
Pray: Lord, hear my voice in the morning.
Do: Begin tomorrow with one verse before anything else.
For the Generation to Come
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.— Psalm 102:18 (KJV)
What you write may be read by people you will never meet, even your grandchildren. Write so they will praise the Lord.
Reflect: Who in the next generation might read your words?
Pray: Lord, let my words bless those who come after me.
Do: Write a short note of faith to a child or grandchild.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Which best describes a devotion?
- 2.
In a devotion, what belongs at the center?
- 3.
Most devotional readers read:
- 4.
A good devotion should replace reading the Bible itself.
- 5.
Explain how John 3:30 applies to devotional writing.