Life Journals: Excellent Discipling Resources

There is a superb discipling resource I would like to recommend. They came out of Pastor Wayne Cordero's church in Hawaii. I learned about these journals when I was reviewing a Christian book that mentioned them. I purchased two different ones to have handy as resources. The First Steps one is for new believers. It says, "First Steps is a handy guide for those new to faith in Christ as well as to daily devotions. The reading plan is streamlined for those just getting familiar with the Bible."

They're intended to help people capture and catalog lessons God teaches in a way that will help them grow.

How to use them. They provide a daily Bible reading plan. The person reads the passages. When they find a life lesson in their passage they write the date, give their lesson a title, write down the main scripture and what they see in the scripture and how it will be different today because of waht they have just read (application). Then they write out a prayer. Then they conclude their devo time by praying for what they have written.

What's really cool is there is a Bible reading plan included that they can start in whatever month they choose to start in. I think Cordero actually has small groups formed around these journals. Anyway, my thought was in our community as we seek to lead people to Christ and help them mature, these would be excellent tools to present someone with and also including a basic Bible for new believers.

I realize that not everyone will be into journaling, but I think it's a very useful for the right person or groups.

Our coffee shop ministry Java Journey (which is in the process of launching), may possibly provide these at no cost along with Bibles for new believers as part of our outreach. There is more info on them here http://www.lifejournal.cc/yourdevotions/

Teena Stewart, Editor DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion Blog

Author, Successful Small Groups from Concept to Practice

http://www.ministryinmotion.net/teena_stewart.html