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Faithful Journaling

Faithful Journaling: Genesis 45-48

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How are you doing with Genesis? We’re almost done!

Week 45: Read Genesis 45 and write down your thoughts about these prompts in your journal:

What explanation did Joseph give his brothers for his unexpected mercy and forgiveness?

How does this scene prefigure the role Christ took on for all of us?

How has your response been similar to that of the brothers? How has it been different?

Week 46: Read Genesis 46 and answer some or all of these questions in your journal.

What promise did Joseph make to his family when they moved to Egypt?

From your knowledge of what comes next in the Bible, how did this all work out?

Consider a time when God led you and/or your loved ones forward into the unknown, and then things seemed to go wrong.  What happened?  Why, do you think?  Where was God in all of that?

Week 47: Read Genesis 47 and consider some or all of these prompts in your journal:

Summarize the events of this chapter.

In some circles, the “Land of Goshen” is a favorite saying.  What do you think is meant by that?

What/where is your personal “Land of Goshen”? How so, and why?

Week 48: Read chapter 48 in Genesis. Answer some or all of the following questions in your journal.

What other stories from the family’s past does this story remind you of?

Why do you think Jacob/Israel did this?

How does this story relate to Jesus’ pronouncement that “the first shall be last and the last first”?

 

Faithful Journaling, Inspirations

Faithful Journaling: Genesis 40-44

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Please continue your journey through Genesis this month!

Week 40: Read Genesis 40 and write about some or all of these prompts in your journal:

Summarize the events of this chapter.  How do you think Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams will affect his life?

Do you set much store by the meanings of dreams? Why or why not?

Tell about the most recent dream you can recall. Look at it with an eye for messages from God. What do you see?

Week 41: Read chapter 41 and consider some or all of these questions:

How did Joseph’s imprisonment in Egypt prepare him for this moment?

What happened to Joseph because of his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams? How did that turn out?

It’s easy to see God’s hand in events that we read about or learn about, but it’s much more difficult to tell when these things are happening to us right now. What events in your life do you believe that God will use? How do you think they might be used?

Week 42: Read Genesis 42 and share your thoughts about these questions in your journal:

Looking back, why do you think God arranged for Joseph to be taken to Egypt? What role did his brothers play in the plan?

Describe how Joseph must have felt when he recognized his brothers coming to him for help. What were his choices of responses? Why did he choose as he did?

Why do you think Joseph made the request for the brothers to bring the youngest brother back with them?

Have you ever been in a situation where you had choices about your response? How do you decide what to do?

Week 43: Read chapter 43 and consider the following questions in your journal.

Why did Jacob send the brothers back to Egypt if he was so worried about their safety?  Have you ever taken risks to take care of your family? In what ways?

Why do you think Joseph did not immediately make himself known to his brothers on their second trip?

How did Joseph treat his brothers when they arrived?

Week 44: Read Genesis 44 and consider some or all of the following questions in your journal:

What happened in this chapter? Why?

How did Joseph react? Why do you believe he would do this?

It seems like an elaborate charade. Joseph went to great lengths not only to conceal his identity, but also to bring his brothers back. When have you hatched a scheme to accomplish a goal? How did it turn out? Why?

 

Faithful Journaling

Faithful Journaling: Genesis 36-39

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And another set of things to ponder in your journal:

Week 36: Read Genesis chapter 36 and consider these questions:

This chapter is mostly made up of lists. What else is in here?

Use a map and locate the land of Edom. What is there today? What is the significance of this area in present-day politics?

How are the Edomites represented in God’s Promised Land? Why do you think God included this chapter in Genesis?

Week 37: Read Genesis 37 and respond to this questions in your journal as you feel led.

How did Jacob’s feelings toward Joseph affect the young man’s life and development?  Was this a good or a bad thing? Or both?

Why were Joseph’s brothers so hostile towards him? What did they do?

When have you attempted to cover up a wrong in the way that Joseph’s brothers did? How did that turn out? How did it make you feel?

Week 38: Read Genesis 38. Answer the questions.

Explain this tangled story in your own words. What happened, to whom, and why?

What do you see to be the main wrong in this story? How so?

Why would it have been important to know which twin came out first? What can you discover about Perez and his actions later in Scripture?

Week 39: Read Genesis 39. Consider these questions in your journal:

What kind of life did Joseph end up having in Egypt as a slave?

How did Joseph respond to Potiphar’s wife’s advances? Why? What happened?

When have you been in a situation where doing the right thing ended up causing you a lot of grief? What happened? What was the final outcome? Was it “worth it”?

Faithful Journaling

Faithful Journaling: Genesis 23-26

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Here are some guiding questions as you continue to read a chapter a week in Genesis and writing about your experience in your journal.

 

Week 23: Read Genesis 23 and answer the questions that speak to you in your journal.

Abraham has been hit by one of the most profound griefs that people can suffer-the loss of his life-long spouse. Why do you think, in this difficult time, that he is so set on burying Sarah in this particular place? Commentaries say that the Hittite was cheating him in this deal. Why was it so important to him to bury her in this land?

Have you faced a profound grief such as Abraham’s?  If so, how has God upheld you through the difficult time? If not, what other difficulty has God made easier for you and in what ways?

Abraham’s faith in God’s promise to give the land to his descendants shines through in this chapter. What promise of God are you clinging to in your life? What actions have you taken because of that promise?

Week 24: Read Genesis 24 and consider some or all of the following questions in your journal.

What do you think of the servant’s request to God in vv. 12-14? In your view, is it OK to ask God for signs such as this one?  There are other examples of this in Scripture.  Can you find them?  Have you ever done this?  What was the outcome?

When have you seen God’s hand at work in your life in these past few weeks in the same profound way that God provided a wife for Isaac?

Isaac took comfort in Rebekah though he was still grieving for his mother. Who in your life can give you that kind of comfort? Who can you give that kind of comfort to?

Week 25: Read Genesis 25 and answer some or all of the following questions in your journal.

Once again, in the births of Jacob and Esau, we see God separating out the line of His chosen people and creating other groups. Why do you thing He might be doing this?

Consider the story of Esau, Jacob, and the stew. What actually happened there? What does the entire incident tell you about Esau? About Jacob?

How does the transfer of the birthright affect the two men legally? Recall the prophecy made at their birth.  How does the incident change things in the eyes of God?

Week 26: Read Genesis 26, and then consider some or all of these questions in your journal.

Why does the story in vv. 7-9 sound familiar? How is this episode similar and different than the ones before it?

Why did Abimelech send Isaac and his family away? Why did he later want to make a treaty with Isaac?  When have you noticed this type of response from someone who became aware of your relationship with God?

Esau chose to marry outside of God’s people. How did this impact Isaac and Rebekah? Have you been a part of any “unequal” marriage situation or close to one? What was/is that like? Do you believe that Christians should only marry other Christians? Why or why not?

 

 

Faithful Journaling, Inspirations

Faithful Journaling: Genesis 10-13

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Welcome back!  I hope you’ve been keeping up with reading and journaling about Genesis this past month.  Here are the next few chapters and questions to get you thinking this month!

Tenth Week: Read Genesis 10. Answer some or all of these questions in your journal.

  • This is an account of how the world was repopulated after the flood.  Scholars believe these nations lived around the Middle East and Southeastern Asia, even up to the Black Sea and over to Greece. Can you see the beginnings of groups of people or nations that later stood against God’s Chosen People? How about connections to nations in existence today?  How can you connect this to God’s plan for our world?
  • God’s chosen people descended through Noah’s son Shem. These “Shemites” were later called “Semites.” The name “Eber” is said to be the origin of the word “Hebrew.” How does it make you feel to think that even in this dimly-remembered time, God was arranging and planning for Christ’s birth and His Church?
  • Do you believe all people came from one of these three groups?  Many other cultures have a Flood story similar to the one found in the Bible. Even the Islamic account of the story, found in the Quran, seems to be about the same people but has different details.  For example, Noah left his wife and one son off of the boat in that version, because of wickedness.  How do you account for the variances?

Eleventh Week: Read Genesis 11. Consider any or all of these questions in your journal:

  • What was the sin of the people on the Plain of Shinar?  How have you committed this same sin?  What will you do to change?
  • One way to interpret this story is that efforts to usurp God’s rightful place will be stopped.  Where have you seen this in recent history (either your own or society’s)?
  • What strikes you as interesting about Abram’s grandparents and extended family? Why?

Twelfth Week: Read Genesis 12. Answer some or all of these questions in your journal.

  • God’s promise to Abram (12:2-3) has seven parts. Which part or parts can you claim today?
  • When God called, Abram dropped what he was doing and responded. What is God calling you to do right now, and what do you need to “drop” to respond?
  • How did Abram’s deception in Egypt turn out?  Why might God have allowed him to benefit from this?

Thirteenth Week: Read Genesis 13. Consider these questions in your journal:

  • What caused the disagreement between Lot and Abram? Have you ever had a similar dilemma? What did you do?
  • Lot chose the better land. What did Abram do? Whose example would you recommend to people and why?
  • Look at a map from this time period and compare it to a map of the area today. Can you figure out what area God gave to Abram? What bearing does this have on political situations in the area today?

Watch for the next installment in this study on the first Sunday in April (April 3).

Faithful Journaling, Inspirations

Looking for God-Incidences

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Life is full of them-those moments when things happen and you think, “Wow…No way that just happened that way! It was just what was needed!”  Some people call them coincidences-things work out exactly right apparently on random chance.  But you and I both know there’s a higher power at work.  There’s no such thing as random chance when God is involved.

This week (and longer if you wish!), watch for these “God-incidences.”  Where can you see God’s hand in your life and in the lives of those around you?  If you’re like me, these things happen daily and even more often.  Try making a note of them in your journal.  Write down exactly what happened and express why you believe God was behind it.  Then write a prayer of thanksgiving!

Faithful Journaling

Journaling From Sermons

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Any good pastor or preacher is trying to inspire you to take action through his or her sermon.  In order for that to happen, you have to take in the message, ponder it, and then come up with a way to act upon it.  However, many of us let the Sunday sermon go in one ear and out of the other, so to speak.

Oh, don’t get me wrong-we have the best of intentions.  We hear the message and think, “This is exactly what I needed to hear today!”  We think about the impact that the sermon will have on our lives in those few moments.  And then we head home to our daily routines, and the important message is too soon forgotten.

One way that you can keep your focus on how that sermon spoke to you is to journal about it in the week following the church service.  I’ve designed a series of prompts that you could use each week, one for each day following the service.  I intentionally did not attach weekday names to them, since I realize that not everyone hears sermons on Sunday.  Just pick right up with the beginning of the series each time you listen to a sermon, and see what happens.  Try them out, and let me know what you think!

  • The day you hear the sermon: Begin by summarizing the message that you heard.  Write it down clearly and in your own words.  Now, write a prayer asking for help to apply these truths into your life in the next few days.
  • Day 2: What Scripture passages did the pastor refer to in the sermon?  Or, if you prefer, what Scripture passages does this sermon bring to mind for you?  Note the Biblical reference and read them.  What thoughts come into your mind based on these verses?  How do they connect with or support the sermon you heard yesterday?
  • Day 3: All good sermons include some kind of a call to action.  What was the call to action in the sermon you heard the other day?  In what way does it apply to you?  What aspect of your behavior, your spiritual life, your relationships, or other part of your life will you change as a result of hearing this sermon? What can you do differently right now?
  • Day 4: What did you do differently today than yesterday as a result of hearing the sermon this week?  What difference did that change make?  Will you continue in this new direction tomorrow?  Why or why not?  Write a prayer asking for God’s guidance in this matter.
  • Day 5: What will it take to make this new change a habit in your daily life?  What steps can you take today to make this change permanent?
  • Day 6: Looking back, how have you truly grown from hearing the sermon last week?  What has changed?  Find a Scripture verse that will remind you of what you have been called to do and write it in your journal.  You can also put it on a card or note and post it somewhere that you see regularly.  Set a date to look back to examine your routines and discover if this change that you have implemented truly was permanent.

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Don’t forget that we are journaling our way through Genesis, and the next installment will be posted on Sunday, January 31, 2016.  You’ll want to become a member of the group to get the prompts, so sign up today at Journaling Through the Bible.  It’s free, private and completely personal.  There’s an optional group for sharing the things you feel comfortable with, but absolutely no pressure.  Enjoy!

 

Faithful Journaling, Inspirations

journaling the hymns

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For many people, music is very, very meaningful.  This especially holds true for sacred music.  Music holds such a special place in some people’s lives that they recall music long after dementia robs them of every other conscious memory.

The hymns or other Christian songs focus on distinct aspects of our faith, and you can derive a lot of comfort from them.  They also succinctly express many of the feelings that we associate with our Christian walk.  No wonder they are so important to us!

Now put the power of hymns and sacred music behind the power of journaling, and you have an energetic combination for self-discovery.  You also have a nearly endless source of writing inspiration.  Sacred music will speak to you in different ways at different points in your life.  There is an endless supply of different songs to consider, and they are as close as your church’s hymnal or your favorite Christian radio station.

Here are some prompts that will get you started journaling the hymns:

  • What is this song saying to you today?
  • How has the meaning of this song changed for you over the years?
  • Does this song tell a story? How does the story relate to your life today?
  • Can you find a Scripture reference to go with this song? What is it? How does it expand or clarify the meaning?
  • Put the message of this song into your own words.
  • How does this song bring you closer to God?
  • Which song would you choose to share with a nonChristian friend to help him or her understand your faith?
Faithful Journaling

Faithful Journaling: Genesis 1-5

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Join me as I read through the Bible, one chapter at a time! Let’s see just how far we can go. On the first Sunday of the month, I’ll try to post a chapter-by-chapter guide, and all you’ll need to do is read one chapter each week. Let’s see how long we can keep it up together.
Let’s start with Genesis. There are five Sundays in January, so we’ll think about five chapters this month. Now, don’t worry if you didn’t start right on January 3rd; you can join us at any time!

First week: Read Genesis 1. Consider these prompts for your journal (do any, all or none!):

  • Why did God create in the order that He did?
  • Which day of Creation was the most important?
  • How does it make you feel to know that God “saw that it was very good”?

Second Week: Read Genesis 2. Consider these prompts for your journal:

  • Describe Eden in your own words. Is there any place on earth today that comes close?
  • How is the story of Adam and Eve’s creation related to marriage? Have you found this to be true in your own life?
  • What would the world be like today if God still walked among us? How would that change your life and/or the lives of those around you?

Third Week: Read Genesis 3. Consider these prompts for your journal:

  • Was there any way God could have prevented this event? Was there any way Eve could have? Adam? What would have changed if any of the three had responded differently?
  • What do you think would have been the most shocking change for Adam and Eve after God decreed their punishment?
  • Are you closer or farther away from the Garden of Eden than Adam and Eve were at the end of this chapter? How so and why?

Fourth Week: Read Genesis 4. Consider these prompts for your journal:

  • Why did God find Abel’s sacrifice pleasing but not Cain’s?
  • How have you responded like Cain when God showed you an error in your thinking?
  • In what ways did Adam’s family follow God? In what ways did they stray? In what ways are you following God? In what ways are you straying?

Fifth Week: Read Genesis 5. Consider these prompts for your journal:

  • What do you believe is the purpose of including this genealogy? What message does it have for you today?
  • What is the difference between the reference about Enoch and those of the other people listed? Why is this important? How does it affect your life today?
  • What do you make of the extremely long lifespans listed? Are they intended to be taken literally, simply literary devices, or is there a meaning hidden in the numbers? Why do you think so?

Did you enjoy this set of journaling prompts to guide you through regular Bible readings?  New sets are posted on the first Sunday of each month.   Get access to the complete set of journal prompts that have been written to date by clicking the link below:

(no need to sign up a second time, though…if you’ve already registered and have your user name and password set up, please ignore this step)

Sign Up Here

Faithful Journaling

Off on The Right Foot

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The new year is just around the corner, and many of us are setting goals.  Does your list include a goal for your walk with God?  I hope so!  Are you set up for success, though?

I’m sure you can recall making New Year’s resolutions, and then  realizing in about March that they have sort of gone by the wayside.  We’ve all done that.  Often, the problem lies in the way that we’ve worded our intentions.

This year, try writing goals instead of resolutions. There is a difference, you know. Resolutions are a bit vague for our purposes. Usually, they express a desire to improve some aspect of your world. In this case, your resolutions might say something like, “Read my Bible more” or “Get closer to God” or even “Pray every day.”  Do your resolutions sound like these?

Goals, on the other hand, are measureable and specific. It’s easy to tell if you’re on the right track (and it’s harder to fudge!).  A goal might be worded like this:  “Read my Bible for at least 10 minutes each weekday.”  Other examples include “Try 2 new types of prayer by June” or “Write in my prayer journal at least three times a week.”  You will find that writing goals in this way gives you a clear idea of whether or not you succeeded today, and exactly where you stand. They also leave a lot more room to improve. A resolution, once broken, feels like a lost cause. A goal, on the other hand, leaves room to try again.

So try setting a few goals for the coming new year.  Here are a few ideas related to journaling:

  • Record at least three thoughts about my relationship with God each day.
  • Write down my supplications, and note the answers when they come.
  • Read a chapter from Scripture each day and write down at least one way to apply it to my life.
  • read a daily devotional passage and write a response at least four times weekly.

Happy New Year!!