Journaling

      See ”Journaling” blog post on March 8, 2011 for reference to this page.  http://www.shalominthewilderness.com/2011/03/journaling.html

       Our house group worked through Mark Virkler's material on journaling last year.  We found it extremely helpful, so I have assembled some questions to ask as we begin a journaling assignment each day.  
       I have heard it said the Sermon on the Mount is a condensed version of Jesus’ teachings, so it seemed to me to be a great passage to include here for journaling.

      I'm hoping some of you might be interested in journaling along with us, so in addition to the blog post, I am adding this reference page.  If you don't already journal I've tried to give some helpful hints in the blog post.   And even if you're already a journaler, I hope you will find some new topics that will interest you.  I would love to hear any comments, suggestions, or journal entries that you would care to share with me.

Journaling Suggestions from “4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice”:

1. Good morning, Lord.  I love you and I give you this day.  What would You like to speak to me?

2. Do You love me?

3. Jesus, how can I be a better friend to You (or to others)?”

4. What blocks keep me from moving forward in my relationship with You?  How can these best be dealt with?

5.  What wrong beliefs would You like me to repent of, and what godley beliefts would You like to replace them with?

6.  Lord, are there any people I need to forgive and release to a greater extent than I have?

7.  What do you want to say to me about my marriage?

8.  How can I show greater love to my spouse?

9.  Tell me how you see each of my children?

10.  What are the gifts and strengths You have given them that You want me to focus on and help them develop?

11.  Are there special needs my children have that You would have me meet?

12.  Lord, what do You want to say about my work?

13.  Are there any attitudes I have about my work or my work companions that You would like to speak to me about?

14.  Lord, what is the primary ministry you would have me doing at this time?

15.  What would you have me do to continue preparing myself for effectiveness in this ministry?

16.  What would you like to show me about my sexuality?

17.  In remembering a troubling circumstance in your life, ask the Lord, "Where were you at this time?"

18.  Why do I not trust You is this situation?

19.  What do you want me to know about myself?

20.  What do you want to say to me today?

21.  Lord, how do you see me?

Journaling through the Sermon on the Mount

        Matthew 5:1,2 says that “when he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:”

       Each day as you begin, envision yourself with Jesus as one of His disciples. Imagine the scene as you’re sitting on the mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the sun sparkling off the water, the gentle breeze, the birds singing, the stillness, the nearness of the other disciples, your joy at being one of them and your anticipation of what he wants to teach you.  And then hear Jesus speaking directly to you and journal your thoughts.

1.  Read  Matt. 5:1-12

     What did Jesus highlight to you through this passage called the Beattitudes?

2. Set the scene as you did yesterday, then read Matthew 5:13-16. 

     Ask, “How can I better be salt and light to those in my sphere of influence?”

3.  Remember you are still seated on the mountainside with Jesus as He teaches you.       

     Read Matthew 5:17-20.  Spend some time thanking Jesus for the wonderful gift of righteousness! 

4.  Read Matthew 5:21-32

     Does anyone come to mind who has something against you, and if so is there something you need to do to be reconciled to him/her.      

       

5.  Don’t forget to set the scene as you listen to Jesus teaching you.  Read Matt. 5:33-37

     Have I made any oaths that I have broken, or that I need to repent of? 

6.  Read Matthew 5:38-48 

     Has my response to my enemies been according to Jesus’ teaching?  What must I do to live according to Jesus’ way.

     

7.  Read Matthew 6:1-4.  Ask Jesus what He wants you personally to know in this passage.   

8   Read Matthew 6:5-8  Ask, "Do my prayers please you, Jesus?"

9-17. Read Matthew 6:9-13  Spend a day journaling each line of this prayer. Use questions similar to:

         How are you my Father?

         What does it mean that Your name is hallowed?

         What is Your kingdom?  What does it look like?

         How can I help to bring Your Will on earth as it is in heaven?

         Do I trust You for my daily bread?  Do I ask you for it?

         How do You forgive my debts?

         Do I really want You to forgive me only to the extent I have forgiven others?

         Show me how to avoid temptation.

         How do You deliver me from the evil one?

18.  Matthew 6:14,15   Ask Jesus to reveal to you any unforgiveness toward anyone that you may not be aware of.

19.  Matthew 6:16-18   Ask, “What does fasting have to do with me?”

20.  Matthew 6:19-21  Have I stored treasures in heaven, or on earth?  Where is my treasure?

21.  Matthew 6:22,23  Are my eyes good(single)?  How can I better see?

22.  Matthew 6:24  Am I serving two masters?

23.  Matthew 6:25-34  Ask Jesus to show you worries that you have not surrendered to Him.

24.  Read Matthew 7:1-5  Show me, Lord, how you see others.

25.  Read Matthew 7:6   What does this passage mean?

26.  Read Matthew 7:7,8  Do I really believe this?  Ask the Lord why, or why not?

27.  Read Matthew 7:9-11   Ask the Father what good gifts He wants to give you.

28.  Read Matthew 7:12  So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Ask Jesus to shed more light on this for you.

29.  Read Matt. 7:13,14   Journal what the Lord says to you about the narrow and wide gates.

30.  Read Matt. 715-20   Do people recognize that I belong to you by my fruit?  How can I be more fruitful?

31.  Read Matt. 7:21-23  Ask the Lord if this passage applies to you? 

32.  Read Matt. 7:24-27  Ask the Lord if there is anything in your life that has not been built upon the Rock.

33.  Read Matt. 7:28,29   Re-read your journaling of the Sermon on the Mount.  Have you been amazed at what Jesus has taught you?  Journal your thanks to Him.

Additional Journaling Questions:

1.  Read Mark 10:46-52, the story of blind Bartimaeus. Imagine yourself as Bartimaeus.  Hear Jesus say, “What would you have me do for you?”

2. Read Luke 10:25-37.  The Good Samaritan.  Imagine yourself in the story.  Which of the participants are you most like today?  Ask Jesus what He has to say to you about that.

3.  Read John 10:1-18.  The Good Shepherd.  Ask the Lord what He wants you to know about Him as your shepherd.

4. Read John 4.  Picture yourself sitting at the well with Jesus.  Tune to the vision. Notice what is happening. What does Jesus look like?  Ask Him what He would like to say to you?

5. Read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-31.  With which character do you most identify?  Imagine yourself as that character. Watch the action, tune to flow and journal.  Ask, “Lord, what do You want  to say to me from this story?”
                                        

6. Journaling question:  “Are there any people whom I need to forgive and release to a greater extent than I have?”

7.  Choose one of the names for each of the members of the Trinity and ask God to reveal to you how each is that to you. (ex. What does it mean that God is your provider?  How is Jesus your deliverer?  How is the Holy Spirit your comforter?)