When I'm asked "Why do journals?" (because it's the hardest thing to pull-off in youth ministry), my response is that if you don't then I guarantee no one will ever benefit. BUT, if you do, then some will "get it" and grow spiritually because you introduced them to spending a daily quiet time with God!
What Happened Wednesday night is Another Great Reason...
So we started the new "Spiritual Journey" 4 week journals in January. On the following Wednesday night I began our first review allowing students to freely talk and ask questions about the journals. I did not know what to expect but was thrilled to see how many were already engaged!
A Very Interesting Question...
As we discussed the journals, one student asked, "Do we have to do the testimony pages in the back?" She went on to express that she accepted Christ at a very early age and could not even remember it. Then she asked if her salvation "...could simply be a growing process that she would fully realize one day?" Wow, do you see what the journals have accomplished? This student may have never questioned her salvation had she not see that testimony template outlining the different parts of a person's testimony!
A Powerful Teaching Opportunity!
My response to her was that she had asked a very important question that we should address so everyone could better understand how we are saved. The next Sunday morning I did address her question using this outline - click to download PDF. The outline walks through the five parts of the testimony template which will allow me to share with our students how a person is saved according to God's Word.
I am sharing this with you (both the story and outline), to encourage you to promote the "55 Plan" (5 minutes in the Word & 5 minutes in prayer every day) as one of your highest discipling priorities. Remember if you don't, no one benefits - Guaranteed! The journals are simply a tool that helps students to stay focused on a daily quiet time with God. By the way we have just redesigned them better than ever with some cool new features (click here to see how they look). Let me know if you need to order new ones. If you have old unused journals I will swap them out for new ones!
Keep Loving Students for His Name's Sake!
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