Writing Devotions in 3 Steps

Are there different rules when it comes to writing a devotion?  Yes! A devotion is a short piece of writing that focuses on a topic or scripture with a take-away message. Writing a devotion can be powerful and life-changing, so you want to do your best for the reader and especially for God. It needs to be engaging and focused on the Bible. It is so easy to get distracted when creating a devotion, so follow these three steps to keep you on track.

To prepare yourself for this type of writing, you must begin in prayer. This isn't a short little prayer but a meaningful, heart-felt prayer. You want to connect with the Lord and His Word and ask Him to show you the message He wants you to share. When you feel you know what that message is, it is time to start writing. 

When you are ready to start, a great way to stay organized is to use the Ultimate Writer’s Planner. 

Writing Devotions in 3 Steps

1. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!

Although this may seem like a no-brainer, many fail to do this.  Devotions must be anchored in the Word. The Bible is the Main Thing! I have read many devotions and even some Bible Study books that place way too much emphasis on the author's testimony. Personal experiences are always a wonderful touch to compliment the Bible text and make connections, but the scripture is always the main focus. 

Make sure your message is from God and not a personal rant. Do not spend time sharing too much of your life by including detailed experiences, the focus is on God's Word. Personal stories can be uplifting and helpful, but if you're wanting most of your writing to be centered on your story, compose a blogpost instead. Everything in a devotion needs to flow out of the Word of God.

It is also imperative that you have researched the Bible text. It is very frustrating to read a devotion where the author makes statements that show s/he does not have a clear understanding of the passage. When you choose the scripture you want, take time to dig into the story. Look into the historical setting as well as the author and the original audience of the book. 

Here are some free resources available for Bible study, several of these have free apps:

• Bible.com
• Biblehub.com 
• BibleGateway.com
• BlueLetterBible.com
• BibleStudyTools.com
• YouVersion.com

2. Know Your Purpose and Keep it Brief!

If you are writing for an online devotion or publication, most devotions are under 500 words. This doesn't apply when you're writing your own book, but if you are writing for submission, there's usually a word limit. People want a short passage that will challenge and uplift. It is very difficult to write within a word limit, but it will guide you in sticking to your purpose as you realize every word counts. Sometimes when readers see a long passage, they won't even take time to read it. We do not want to turn readers off before they begin.

Tips for Writing an Effective Devotion:

• Pray for wisdom and knowledge to understand what God is wanting you to say. You may want to share one of your favorite scriptures which is great, just make sure you God is leading you with a message. 
• When you find the purpose, it is helpful to write the main objective of the devotion on a sticky note and place it in a prominent place in your writing area. This will help you stay focused and not wander. 
• When you have that objective statement, decide on a hook to bring the reader in. The first sentence is crucial! You may want to start in the middle of the action of the Bible story or perhaps with dialog. These are two effective ways of bringing the reader into the story. 
• You need to use multiple verses to make your point. They need to be focused and not random. It may take weeks of digging into an online commentary to be able to shed light on the truth you feel God wants you to share. Spend time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

When you know what you want to say, make it brief!

3. Leave a Message of Hope in Christ

What is your take-home message? 

Do not leave them in the middle of your painful story. Always end your writing by clearly pointing the reader to Christ. In doing so, you must be cautious in the wording used. Instead of using phrases like, 'you should' or 'don't forget' which may sound too preachy, use the terms, 'we can' or 'let's remember'. It is just as effective without sounding too harsh. Avoid using the expert voice which often turns the reader off. Remember that we are all in this together.

Here are a few ways to end the devotion:

• Write a prayer. 
• Ask life application questions such as 'What is one thing I can apply today?'
• Give an opportunity for personal journaling
• Conclude with a challenge- ask if the reader is struggling in a certain area and assure them they can talk to Jesus about it

Keep in mind that devotions are brief, powerful, and can possibly lead someone to Christ. Your words need to be well chosen and prayed over for they could make an eternal difference in someone's life. The point to to point others to Jesus! What a wonderful opportunity and unique ministry writers have.