1st Writes (Teen Edition) - Why Write?

I had the wonderful privilege of leading some great teen writers this past week. I'd like to share our lesson and ask you to share your thoughts about the lesson's questions or participate in the writing prompt.
  


1st Prays (Teen Edition) Lesson: Why Write?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this time together to talk and to write. We ask for your blessing and guidance for our writing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What types of things do you write (diary/journal, school papers, fiction stories, etc.)?

(discuss)

Why do you write?

(discuss)

Some famous authors tell why they write:

Judy Blume - “Those of us who write do it because there are stories inside us burning to get out. Writing is essential to our well-being,” As a child she couldn’t find books that she could identify with. She wanted to read about families like her family, ones that weren’t perfect, ones that had secrets, but were still loving. She wanted to write the truth about families like in Ramona the Pest.

J.K. Rowling - All she wanted to do was to write novels. She was in her twenties. Her marriage failed. She had a young daughter. She had no money. All she had was a big idea and she focused everything into it. "I knew I wanted to get published. And, in truth, writing novels is something you have to believe in to keep going. It's tough…to get published, so I persevered. I loved writing it and I felt that I just had to try." 

What do you think about this scripture? “We write this to make our joy complete” (NIV)  (1 John 1:4)

Why do you think you like to write or have a passion to write? 

(discuss)

1 Corinthians 12:11  “But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.”

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

God made you. Did God give you a gift? How do you know?

Why should you write? 

(discuss)

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.” 

Revelation 1:19 Jesus tells John, “Now write down everything you see: things that are, things about to be.” 

You may not ever hear God telling you to write something, but he I do believe that He does give people callings.

What should you write? 

(discuss)

The written word has power. You’ve heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you”, well, that’s a lie. Words can hurt. 

If writing is a gift from God, how should you use it? 

By proclaiming the truth and speaking sound doctrine (Titus 1:9, Titus 2:10) to each other “we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”.

Romans 15:5-6 -May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV -Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

 

Writing Prompt: Open a magazine (Nat'l Geographic is a good one) and find a photo. Don't read anything about the photo. Write for 8 minutes. Stop. Share. 

 

Next week's "Teen Edition" will be about using
descriptive words and synonyms in writing.