The how of this website

Hello, friends! This week, I’d like to share how I write my devotions. There are certain things I use and look for when I’m writing.

First, I examine the reading in light of the season of the Church Year. For Lent, I am choosing to use the Gospel readings from the 3-Year, Series A Lectionary. I read the Bible passage and take notes on what stands out to me and how it relates to the season. 

Often, I look at the context - what happens before and after the passage. (You will notice this in the devotion coming out over the weekend.) If there are references to other Bible passages, I take the time to look them up in their original context. Sometimes I consult commentaries or other sources.

Second, I decide what verse or verses I’m going to focus my devotion around. I try to pick one or maybe two. I want the Bible focus verses to be short and easy to understand, in case the whole passage is a bit too much for some readers. 

Then, I start to write, using my notes and the Bible focus verse(s) I picked. I tend to write, change my mind in the middle, backspace, delete, rewrite, edit, edit, and edit some more before I’m satisfied with what I’ve written.

Finally, I add in the other parts of the devotion: title, theme statement, challenge, and prayer. For the prayer, I use the ACTS format - Adoration (praise), Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (requests). 

Typically, I write the adult devotion first, and then adapt it for a younger audience.

If you’re a writer, how do you write? What is your process? I would love to know.