Yesterday I wrote a post on how I'm always on the lookout for questions or prompts for use in journaling or discussion groups. In fact, it's probably the most talked-about topic between me and a friend I've met with almost every week since 1999.
Today I want to share what I recently used in a 40-day journal exercise at our church. I honestly don't know who came up with these (it wasn't me), but here they are:
- How do you come today? How is your heart?
- What is your desire for God?
- (random Bible text) What sticks out to you here? (this was actually a different question each day)
- 10 minutes of silent centering prayer
- How have you experienced God in this time?
- How might you embody and share the love of God today?
These questions seem more aligned to personal study or journaling, but, again, whether you're just reading a verse-a-day or a section of the Bible per day, the questions are equally beneficial.
You could also add to or omit some. For instance, maybe 10 minutes of silence doesn't fit your schedule at the moment... no problem (though I found it especially helpful).
Actually, I've been thinking of adapting this for my personal daily journal which doesn't necessarily include Bible reading beforehand. Maybe just use:
- How do you come today? How is your heart?
- What do you sense God might want you to know or do today?
- How might you embody and share the love of God today?
And, I should note, answering "I don't know" is perfectly fine. Always. Sometimes the answer isn't even the point, but merely the moment of contemplation is. Perhaps you need more time, or it generates a spark for later, or... you may simply ...not know!
Anyway, if you haven't caught on by now, I find a written journal vital to my spiritual growth. Having a small group of people to wrestle and discuss things like this with is something I also long for.
One other suggestion: Keep it as simple as possible. Expanding on your writing or discussion can always happen (and usually does). Don't get muddled in details. The point is to be open to the Spirit's leading. It's more likely to happen if we expect it.
So, what are you going to do...?
1 comment:
I struggled a bit with this set of questions and sometimes I did write - "I got nothing" for my answer. I decided to be okay with that. I also realized that 10 minutes of silence can be gazing out the window, not sitting with my eyes closed. That worked better for me. I, too, long for such a group. :)
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