GET INVOLVED
First things first: journaling is not for everyone. It's not commanded in Scripture. It's not modeled by Jesus. It's not mentioned in Paul's letters. It wasn't until long after Bible times that people began keeping diaries, commonplace books, and journals. So if journaling is not your thing, that's fine.
But for some people, writing can help with processing faith experiences (a necessary step of spiritual formation), self-awareness, prayer, and memory. This type of journaling should be centered on issues of faith and discipleship rather than on one's feelings and circumstances (like most diaries).
It's worth weaving journaling into your discipling groups or one-on-ones occasionaly to see who might enjoy the practice and benefit from it. But don't push it on people for whom it clearly won't be a win.
At some point in life, journaling may not serve the same purposes it does for newer believers. For those who are just meeting Jesus and are learning about spending focused time with him, journaling might be a useful and helpful practice. Buy some notebooks and pens for your students, give them some prompts and direction, and see what happens.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2103 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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