How to Write a Christian Devotion
Christian devotionals are short articles or stories designed to inspire, encourage and instruct readers. Devotionals also help readers understand biblical truths and support their spiritual growth. Many Christians read devotionals during their special times of meditation and prayer. The literature is so popular that Christians often write their own devotion.
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Instructions
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Format the devotional. The structure of a devotional usually consists of a title, a scripture and the focus or message of the devotional. The lead paragraph may include a relevant anecdote, a news item, a story about personal problems, or a surprising statement that captures the reader's attention. Prayers, quotes and poems are optional in a devotional.
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Decide on the focus. The focus is the main point of the devotional. The focus should challenge or encourage readers and should be no more than three sentences. The body of the devotion is written to illustrate the focus.
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Make it practical. Use information that readers can relate to such as family or relationship problems, economic worries, disappointments, or physical illness. Write so that the reader believes you're relevant and can relate to personal situations. Avoid using Christian cliches and trite religious sayings since some readers may not understand Christan jargon. Avoid giving "pat answers" to complicated problems.
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Keep it scriptural. Scriptures come from the Bible and are important features in devotionals. Include scriptures that revolve around the focus of the devotional. Explain the scripture somewhere within the body of the devotional and encourage the reader to reflect or meditate on the scriptures.
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Publish your devotional. If you've written a number of devotionals, consider turning them into a book. Research self-publishing companies to determine whether it's economically feasible for you to publish a book. If not, you might want to consider creating a blog or website that features your devotional writings.
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References
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