Devotional Journaling: 4 Methods to Develop a Deeper Quiet Time with God
Looking for encouragement to develop a deeper quiet time with God? Our devotional journals for families offer 4 unique study methods. Read more.
I noticed that my son’s Bible sat unopened for days. Of course, I didn’t want to shame him. We all have seasons where we’re not as diligent to stay in the Word. But I also know that God’s Word soothes our hurts and helps us in our journey.
Then I heard him lash out in anger at his sister – harsh words that came from his own internal struggle and frustration. I took a deep breath and asked him to come talk to me. Then I gently asked him if he had been reading his Bible. “It’s been boring to me lately, Mom,” he said. “I can’t seem to get into it.”
I told him I understood. Even as an adult, I sometimes felt that way, too. We all know we should read the Bible, and so many times we make a plan to start doing it. But after a few weeks or months, we let the habit die.
I reminded my son (and myself!) that God gave us His Word so we would not only understand right from wrong, but also so we could know how much He loves us and wants to be involved in every part of our lives. Thus began our search to find something that would help. I wanted a resource that would allow someone to choose their own Bible passages, but with open-ended guidance. Nothing we found on the market seemed to work.
I desperately wanted my son to know that God’s Word is profitable, uplifting, and life-giving. So I began creating notebook pages for him with methods that would rotate on a daily basis. Little-by-little, we found the perfect formula. It kept him engaged! What’s more, this method doesn’t work just for kids, it also works for teens and adults! That’s why I wanted to share it with you. I figured if our family struggled, then possibly yours has too.
These journals are a combination of our favorite journal pages all wrapped up into one. I love how they encourage us to dig deep and think about the Scripture in different ways.
Here’s what you’ll find in both the kids’ version and the teen/adult version of the journal:
Blessings and Favorites Page —>>
First up is the blessings and favorites page. The purpose of this page is to record our blessings, jot down favorite verses, and even note some ongoing prayer needs. It’s encouraging to look back and see what God did several months ago in our family.
Study Pages —>>
There are 4 different study pages that rotate through the journals. Each one approaches the study of Scripture a little differently.
1. S.O.A.P.
The first type of study page uses the word “SOAP.” The word SOAP is an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. To use the SOAP method of study, the Bible student (which could be you or your child) follows the letters S – O – A – P.
First, the student reads the SCRIPTURE. It can be a few verses, a passage, or a chapter or two. Many people like to read it out loud. In the journal, the student can either write it out or just write down the reference.
Next is OBSERVATION. For this step, the student will write down their observations about the Scripture they read. For example, did they notice anything about the verses? What was the main idea? Did any words or ideas stand out? This is also the time to look up any words or phrases that were hard to understand.
The third step is APPLICATION. The student then thinks about how they could apply the Scripture to their lives. They can ask questions such as: How will my life be different because of what I’ve read? What is something I can do today because of what I’ve read?
The final step is PRAYER. The student will say or write a prayer thanking God for His Word and asking Him to help them apply it in their life.
2. Who, What, When, How
The next study page is designed to help us think about the purpose of the passage. This page encourages the student to think through key questions about the verses they are reading. WHO is the intended audience? WHO is this passage about? WHAT does the text say? WHEN was the text written? HOW does the text apply to me today?
3. Application
The third study page is designed to help us think about the application of the passage. When we read the Word, it gives us insight into areas in our lives that do not align with God’s will and ways. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that God’s Word is for teaching, correcting, and instructing in righteousness. This page challenges the student to think through the Scripture they just read. How can they apply the text? What changes is God showing them that they can make?
4. Visualize the Passage
The fourth type of study page gives us the opportunity to visualize the passage. Sometimes, when we see things visually, they stick in our minds better. This page encourages the student to choose a key idea from the text they read. In the kids version, they create an illustration representing that idea. In the teen/adult version, there are bullet journaling areas for the reader to be creative with passages.
Each of these study pages also has different questions to encourage students to think more about the Scripture, as well as a place to write down prayer needs.
Finally! Motivating, engaging, and age-appropriate devotional journals for the whole family. Be encouraged, be blessed, and start digging into the Word!
Through practical tools & Bible-based resources, Kim Sorgius is dedicated to helping your family GROW in faith so you can be Not Consumed by life’s struggles. Author of popular kid’s devotional Bible studies and practical homeschooling tools, Kim has a master’s degree in education and curriculum design coupled with over 2 decades of experience working with kids and teens. Above all, her most treasured job is mother and homeschool teacher of four amazing kiddos.
Love these study pages. I have 5 kids ages 10 – 16 that I have been trying to encourage to get into God’s word on their own every day. I think these pages will be a huge help.
I’m so glad to hear this! Let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear how your kids enjoyed them. (Or even if they didn’t!)
I love this. Thank you!! I’m subscribing now! 🙂
Thanks so much for making these because I know that I will use them for myself because other Prayer Journals I have seen are just too deep for me, and this one you make at a kid level which quite honestly works much better for me.
Was thinking the same thing. Reassuring to know I am not alone!
Me too
Me three!
Me four
Thank you
Mother of two. Thanks so much!!
You’re welcome!
Love this! I just subscribed and confirmed my email address so I seen all the freebies that come with subscribing but I’m not on my computer right now so if I want to print them out later, how can I do that? Can I just come back on here to print them or go back through the email to confirm my email or something? Thank you and sorry for all the questions.
You’ll be able to download anytime. Just come back here and enter your email. It will take you to the download page!
This look great to help my boys with Bible study time!
I have subscribed and downloaded the Macfonts to get these printables. It doesn’t allow me to get there. It just keeps making me download the macfonts over and over. Can you email it to me?
I have no idea what you are talking about. What Macfonts?
I am so excited about these pages … I know you prepared this for your children, but I am actually going to do this for myself!!! I, similar to your posting above, have wanted to make significant changes in my life when it comes to God’s Word and I just haven’t been successful so far. I am hoping with added prayer and these pages 2015 will be different for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will be subscribing immediately!
I love it! You go girl!
You are so creative – thank you for blessing others with the talent our Father gives you!
Thank you for the sweet words. 🙂
Very helpful pages! Thanks! Is it possible to get them in spanish? If you don´t have them you can send me a pdf where I can translate the pages. Thank you very much!
I’m sorry but I don’t have them in Spanish.
I would like to use these for my sunday school class. Will this be okay to print out for them?
Thank You
Yes, that will be fine, but please make sure that the copyright info is included in case they would like to visit the site! 🙂
Hi. What type of journaling bible do you recommend for kids ages 11 and 13? Thanks
Last week we hosted a kid camp and I am so thankful God led me to your site. I had been wanting to create a journal for the kids to do a daily log of the teachings and what God was speaking to their hearts and let me tell you, they all loved the layout, and I noticed how easy it made it for them to put their thoughts into paper.
We took kids from 6 – 18 years old and some of them struggle a little bit on a blank sheet of paper. My daughter is one of them and ever since we came back from the retreat, she grabs her journal when we have quiet time and she journals away happy.
Praise God for what he is doing through you and may he continue to use you for the glory of his Kingdom.
I just purchased your book of “things to teach kids about quiet time” and we will be implementing it as a lesson plan in our kids ministry.
Here is a recap of our retreat ?
https://vimeo.com/174135187
Blessings,
Evelyn.
Thank you so much for sharing with me! I loved the video and am honored you used my resources. God is good! Praying for the hearts of the children you ministered to!
Hi! I love these pages! I am very excited to implement them with n my own children!
I also teach 1st and 2nd grade sunday school. I have a mix of reading and learning to read. I also have a mix of backgrounds–some in a strong Christian home and some in a home with one Christian parent or no Christian parents.
Are there any recommendations you can make to help my early readers/writers do something similar. I have tried having them draw, but one child in particular hates drawing and a few others don’t understand and draw purple elephants or monsters. I really wish I had a good way to engage them a little more.
For the little ones, I really prefer to talk about it and have them talk to me about what we read or learned. It goes much farther when you remove the writing/drawing barrier.
I very rarely comment on blogs, but I had to write and tell you THANK YOU for compiling these amazing 87 pages of awesomeness!!! I got here because of the kids’ journal pages I found on your pinterest, but I ended up printing the entire workbook and I love LOVE all of the ideas and activities in it, especially the tips for spiritual growth and connectedness as a family. I am going to start using these with my boys (7 and 11) immediately, and I just HAD to tell you thank you so so much for all of the time you invested into each and every page, I can feel your heart’s love for God in every line you wrote, I can tell you it wasn’t just a “project” for you, it goes deeper than that. May God bless you 10 fold for this gift you have presented my family (and others) with!
Is this prayer journal still available? I tried to download it but it is saying page unfound.
I’m having the same problem.
Here is an updated link
https://store.notconsumed.com/products/devotional-journal-for-kids
Suzanne@NotConsumed
Yes! Here is an updated link
https://store.notconsumed.com/products/devotional-journal-for-kids
Suzanne@NotConsumed
What age do you recommend starting them to use this journal. Like you said, at the younger ages, it’s easier to have them orally explosions what they read and learned.
Once they are independent readers/writers. Typically starting around ages 8-10 🙂
Suzanne@NotConsumed