“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Plan a 30-day devotional collection around a theme and reader
- Keep a consistent format using a style sheet
- Submit your work for review with theological humility
- Share your devotional set in a way you choose
Lesson Notes
Planning a 30-Day Collection
Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost (Luke 14:28)? A 30-day collection needs a plan. Start with your reader and theme, then divide the month into four weeks, each with a sub-theme, plus two closing days.
For each day, outline: day number, title, verse reference, takeaway sentence, and a story or illustration idea. Vary the books of the Bible, the kinds of hooks, and the kinds of prayers. Set a realistic writing pace, such as two or three devotions a week.
Consistent Format
Readers find comfort in a steady pattern. Use the same order of parts every day, the same way of writing references (Psalm 46:1, KJV), similar length, and the same voice.
Keep a one-page style sheet listing your choices: how titles look, whether the prayer is in italics, how the action step begins (Today:), and how you spell repeated words. CWP 223 will go deeper into editing, and CWP 224 into turning a manuscript into a book.
Theological Humility and Review
No writer is beyond correction. When Apollos preached with zeal but incomplete understanding, Priscilla and Aquila took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). He received it and went on to help many. In the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14), and James warns that teachers carry greater responsibility (James 3:1).
Before sharing beyond this class, ask a pastor, chaplain, or mature mentor to review your devotions for sound teaching and accurate Scripture. Ask: Is this faithful to the passage? Is anything unclear or overstated? Receive feedback with grace and revise. Stay with clear, central truths, admit what you do not know, and avoid claiming special messages from God for the reader.
Sharing Your Devotions
Our final session celebrates your work. Reading aloud is always optional: you may read one devotion, read only its prayer, ask someone to read for you, or listen.
Keep at least two copies of your set. You might later offer one devotion to a church newsletter or ministry, with review and permission, or give your set to family. Before publishing anything, finish your review and follow what you learn in CWP 224.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Series arc | The planned movement of a collection from first day to last |
| Sub-theme | A smaller theme for one week of a collection |
| Style sheet | A one-page record of format and spelling choices |
| Theological review | A check by a pastor or mentor for sound teaching and accurate Scripture |
In-Class Activities
Thirty-Day Map
Draw a grid of 30 boxes in four rows of seven, plus two. Write a sub-theme beside each week. Fill in at least ten boxes with a title and verse reference. Place your seven finished devotions where they fit.
Review Exchange
Trade one devotion with a partner. Check every quotation word for word against the KJV, confirm all six parts, and write one encouragement and one question. Then give your set to the instructor or chaplain for a review note.
Assignment: Final Project Submission
Submit your seven-day devotional set, 30-day outline, review notes, and reflection (see the Final Project section). Handwritten submissions are fully acceptable.
Graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Lamentations 3:22–23 says God's mercies are new every morning. How has writing daily devotions changed the way you meet God each morning? What do you hope your readers will find in your pages?
Prayer focus: Thank God for His new mercies and for every word He has given you, and ask Him to establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17).
Weekly Reading & Devotions
New Every Morning
A devotional collection is a promise to meet a reader every morning for a season. That takes planning. A theme, four weekly sub-themes, and a simple outline for each day turn a pile of pages into a journey.
Consistency helps your reader. When the parts come in the same order each day, she knows where to look for the verse, the prayer, and the action step. A one-page style sheet keeps you consistent.
Humility helps you too. Apollos was a gifted teacher, and Priscilla and Aquila still took him aside and explained the way of God more perfectly. He listened and grew. Asking a pastor, chaplain, or mentor to review your devotions protects your readers and strengthens your work.
Look back at what you have written in eight weeks: devotions, prayers, poems, letters, and a plan for thirty days. God's mercies are new every morning, and so is your calling as a writer. Keep going.
Think About It
- What theme could carry thirty days? ______________________
- Who could review your devotions? ______________________
- What are you most thankful for in this course? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 8
New Every Morning
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.— Lamentations 3:22–23 (KJV)
Every day is a fresh start with God. Daily devotions remind readers of that.
Reflect: What mercy did you find this morning?
Pray: Lord, great is Your faithfulness.
Do: Write one new mercy you noticed today.
Count the Cost
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?— Luke 14:28 (KJV)
A good plan helps you finish what you start.
Reflect: What will it take to finish thirty devotions?
Pray: Lord, help me plan wisely and finish well.
Do: Set a realistic weekly writing goal.
Many Counsellors
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.— Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)
Wise counsel strengthens our plans and our writing.
Reflect: Whose counsel do you trust?
Pray: Lord, give me wise counsellors.
Do: Ask someone to review one devotion.
More Perfectly
Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.— Acts 18:26 (KJV)
Even gifted teachers grow through loving correction.
Reflect: How do you respond when someone corrects you?
Pray: Lord, give me a teachable heart.
Do: Thank someone who helped you understand God's Word.
Establish the Work
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.— Psalm 90:17 (KJV)
We offer our writing to God and ask Him to establish it.
Reflect: What work of your hands do you want God to establish?
Pray: Lord, establish the work of my hands.
Do: Pray over your finished devotional set.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Why does Luke 14:28 fit planning a 30-day collection?
- 2.
A style sheet records:
- 3.
What did Priscilla and Aquila do for Apollos?
- 4.
Asking a pastor or mentor to review your devotions is a sign of weakness.
- 5.
List four things to include for each day in a 30-day outline.