A Simple Framework for Your Faith Journal

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A Simple Framework for Your Faith Journal

THE 3 QUESTIONS you can ask yourself?

We talked about the “Inductive Bible Study” method as a way to slow down. But how do we actually do it in our journals without it feeling like homework?

The traditional method uses three big words: Observation, Interpretation and Application.

Those can feel a bit heavy for a tired soul. Therefore, I would like to translate them into three inviting questions for our journals.

When your mind is all over the place, distracted by to-do lists and worries, these three questions give your thoughts a place to climb. They provide structure so your soul can bloom.

The 3 Questions you can ask yourself

Open your journal. Choose a short passage (for this example, let’s use John 15:1-5). Write these three headers:

1. What do I see? (Observation)

  • The Anchor: Don’t jump to the meaning yet. Just look at the text like a detective.
  • The Prompt: “What words are repeated? What is the tone? Who is the ‘main character’ in this sentence?”
    • My Journal Example: “I see the word abide three times. I see the word vine. I see that Jesus is speaking gently.”

2. What does it say about God? (Interpretation)

  • The Anchor: This is the most important step. Before we ask about us, we must ask about Him.
  • The Prompt: “What does this passage reveal about God’s character, His heart, or His promises?”
    • My Journal Example: “It shows that He is the source. He sustains the branches; the branches don’t sustain themselves. He desires connection, not just production.”

3. What does it mean for me today? (Application)

  • The Anchor: Now and only now, we bring it home.
  • The Prompt: “Because this is true about Him, how does it change my today? Do I need to confess, trust, rest, or act?”
    • My Journal Example: “Because He is the vine, I can stop striving. My job today is just to stay connected, not to force the fruit to grow.”

Your Action Point: The “Bookmark” Guide

To make this a habit, let’s take it out of the screen and put it in your Bible.

  1. Get a Slip: Take a small slip of paper, a piece of cardstock, or an index card.
  2. Write the Cues: Write these three simple words on it:
    • See
    • God
    • Me
  3. Place It: Keep this bookmark in your Bible.

It is your simple map for a deep, quiet conversation every time you read. You don’t need to be a scholar; you just need to be willing to look.

With grace, Debbera