Scripture & Writing Series: Week 2

Source: modernekklesia.com

For those of you who can't join us in person, we offer the next best thing -- a blog version of our lesson, so that you can do it at home. This series is called: Scripture & Writing.

Week Two: Letter Writing -- prepared by Pam Williams 

Prayer: Dear Lord, may all who read this lesson feel compelled to write a letter to someone this week. Please put people on our hearts who need encouragement and let us step out in love, giving the gift of a letter. Amen.

Devotional: “A Letter to God” by Sue Monk Kidd from www.guideposts.org

Scripture: Jude 1:3

"Dear friends, I had intended to write to you about the salvation we share. But something has come up. It demands that I write to you and encourage you to continue your fight for the Christian faith that was entrusted to God's holy people once for all time."

Questions about the Scripture:

1. Letters are a great way to relate specific incidents of God’s hand on our lives or to encourage someone whose faith is being challenged. How have you used letters to share your faith?

2. Jude mentions circumstances that came up “demanding” that he write. What circumstances have demanded or driven you to write?

3. Letter writing differs from other types of writing. Letters are often written to one person or perhaps a family or other small group who hold a special place in the heart of the writer.

When we can’t talk to someone in person we write--it's a great way to stay connected. Letters reveal our innermost thoughts and feelings, allowing the receiver to catch a glimpse into our souls.

4. Letter writing is a recognized writing genre. It takes writing skill to gather and organize our thoughts and feelings to share with those we care about. The Biblical authors, Paul, Peter, John and a host of others, are considered writers. Many of their “manuscripts” that we study are in the form of letters. Can you think of other author's whose genre was letters?

5. Jude’s desire was to encourage his friends. Share about a time you wrote to someone to encourage them.

(Please leave a comment regarding the questions. We'd love to discuss it with you!)

Tips for Letter Writing: Letter writing is becoming a lost art. And yet, those who receive them consider letters a gift, saving them for decades. You will find some heart-warming letter writing tips at Sarah Branch’s blog post, "Letter Writing as an Art".

Homework Assignment: Write a letter encouraging a friend on his/her spiritual journey.

Scripture & Writing Series: Week 1

Source: modernekklesia.com

For those of you who can't join us in person, I'd like to offer the next best thing -- a blog version of our lesson, so that you can do it at home. This series is called: Scripture & Writing.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for these writers that you have brought here today. Please anoint their writing, so that their words may glorify you. Encourage them, Lord, for you are their ultimate cheerleader.

Devotion: The Ultimate Cheerleader from rightfromtheheart.org

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2

Then the Lord replied: 

"Write down the revelation 

and make it plain on tablets 

so that a herald may run with it."

Questions about the scripture:
1. "Write down the revelation" --
Why are you here? Has God called you to write?
God told Habakkuk to write down the revelation. Do you think God wants you to write?

God clearly told Habakkuk what to write. What about you? What does he want you to write? How can we learn what God wants us to write about?

2. "Make it plain on tablets" --
What does "plain" mean in this sentence? How does this apply to Christian writers?

3. "So that a herald may run with it" --
If a herald is running from place to place reading it, do you think the writing is short and to the point or long winded?  What can we learn from this passage?
"Running with it" means getting the word out. Why should we share our writing with others? Where could you share your writing?

Writing Prompt:
Open up a magazine you have laying around the house. Quickly choose one photo out of it. Try not to read any blurbs or articles about it. Write about the photo for 15 minutes.

Homework Assignment:
Write about a "revelation". (Those who attend in person, should bring this to the next meeting.)

Extra Long term Assignment:
Write an Advent devotion with a focus on "hope", "peace", "joy", or "love". Follow the Upper Room guidelines below:

• Each day's meditation includes a title, suggested Bible reading, quoted scripture verse, personal witness or reflection on scripture, prayer, a "thought for the day" (a pithy, summarizing statement), and a "prayer focus" (suggested subject for further prayer).
• Meditations should be about 250 words long.

God bless your writing. Until next week...

Lies

Does the devil whisper lies to you about your writing?

Source: wafflesatnoon.com

It’s not good enough.

Who would want to read it?

It’s never going to get published.

You have better things to do 

than write.

These are a few of the lies he’s been telling me. I’ve been putting off my book even though I’m close to finishing the revision. I’ve been filling my time with home projects and reading. But, guess what? It’s time to get back to writing. 

It’s time to proclaim that what I write does matter. God has anointed me to write. My book was written on Biblical truths. It will serve a purpose and it will get published. Right now, I am going to adjust my thinking and focus on truth.

God does not lie.

Do you need an attitude adjustment like me? If so, pray with me:

Dear Heavenly Father, you have given me the call and passion to write. I thank you for this blessing. Help me overcome lies from the enemy, so that I can focus on your work, for your kingdom. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my mind on only your truth. Anoint my writing and use it to bring others closer to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.