OUR NEED:
Within the last year, my husband and I had been encouraging our 12 and 15-year-old girls to be more faithful readers of their Bibles. They each had a Bible app and were doing short term, sporadic Bible reading plans. At first, we simply encouraged them verbally each morning to be in God’s word. Then we signed up for a reading plan on the same app together to read through the New Testament by the time summer was finished. Taking this step to both model and walk through a longer Bible reading plan with them was key. It provided a lot of insight into what they were getting into their minds with a simple daily reading of scripture, especially as we would each provide a few comments on that day’s text. We realized they now needed to be challenged to dig deeper. Several months went by with no solution. We wanted to allow them to study which ever book of the Bible they desired but couldn’t find a tool that was simple enough to complete each morning before school, and flexible enough for any passage of scripture.
A POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
Eva Kubasiak recently published her Deep Dive Scripture Journal, and I was aware of it as we both belong to the same writing group. I ordered two copies from Amazon for $14.99 each. I handed the journals over to my girls with very little explanation, simply stating that I ordered them to help them dig a little deeper in their daily Bible reading. The next morning, both girls had completed a daily scripture journal entry with ease. My younger daughter had one question about a biblical literacy term that she had not learned yet. I explained to her the term and why it was important when reading the Bible. Both girls have been faithfully using their scripture journals most mornings.
WHAT IS IT:
The Deep Dive Scripture Journal is comprised of 2-page, daily, journal entries. Those two pages are then divided into the four categories of “Background”, “Observation”, “Reflection & Application” and “Prayer” with corresponding discerning questions to encourage those studying the Bible to dig for wisdom. Those studying a passage can choose any length passage of any book of the Bible. There are a few pages that describe how to use the journal and the purposes of each category. The journal is 7in.x10in. and has room for about 100 daily studies of scripture.
REVIEW:
My middle school and high school children were able to complete their daily journal entries with ease and minimal help. They, now, not just read, but study their Bibles regularly. Because of their success, I began using the journal myself (instead of my boring, old-fashioned spiral notebook) for my Bible study time as well and bought extra copies to hand out to those I minister to in my local community. This journal is simple enough to implement easily, flexible for missed days of study or for studying any portion of scripture you choose. It asks key questions to aid in your understanding of scripture more thoroughly. I would recommend it for those studying the Bible who are middle school and higher. This journal is a great next step for taking your daily reading of the Bible into daily studying of the Bible. Most of all, when I ask my girls what they read in scripture today, I have observed more insight and we have had good discussions on what God is teaching their hearts in His word. This journal would especially be an asset for those learning to study the Bible for the first time or for those who need a simple format to become more consistent at daily study.
For more information on how to study the Bible you can find Eva at www.evakubasiak.com. She has terrific tips, informative YouTube videos and courses available on how to get the most out of God’s word.