Blogging for the Bible Study Writer

Edie here. Today I'm really excited to introduce the newest team member here on The Write Conversation, Katy Kauffman. I've known Katy for several years and watched her blossom into an amazing writer. Her specialty is Bible studies, and her current book is FAITH, COURAGE AND VICTORY; The Stories, struggles, and triumphs of 24 Characters of the Bible. I know you'll want to join me in welcoming her to our community!

Blogging for the Bible Study Writer

By Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

I sat nervously in James Rubart’s marketing class and wanted to raise my hand. At the 2010 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Jim wanted to show us how to create a blog, using someone in the class as a guinea pig. So he asked for a volunteer. I knew that if I ever wanted to start a blog, it needed to be then, and with his help. But I hesitated, and another lady volunteered. 

Disappointed, I watched as he tried to sign into Google (which owns Blogger) with her username and password. It didn’t work. When he asked for another volunteer, my hand shot up, and so my adventures in blogging began.

Blogging once a week or more can seem like a daunting task. Especially for the Bible study writer. Our focus is sharing messages of hope and encouragement from the Word of God, and that requires some study time. Plus, blogging takes time away from writing books. So why is it worth it?

We can reach people instantly. Instead of waiting twelve to eighteen months for a publishing house to publish our book, we can reach people immediately through a blog. Yes, we want that book deal, but through a blog and social media, we can instantly encourage, inspire, and instruct.

So what should we write about? The world may seem like our oyster—Scripture is quite long, and there’s so much to write about! Or we may feel overwhelmed because there are too many possibilities to pick from. I’d like to give you five ideas of what to write about, and I hope this whittles down the possibilities a bit.

5 Ideas of What to Blog about:

1. Topics that speak to your audience—Who do you want to minister to—Christian women, moms of young children, teens, those suffering with a chronic illness, or business professionals? Tailor your posts or devotions to target your intended audience, and provide both encouragement from the Bible and practical help for real-life struggles.

2. Lessons learned in your quiet time—What is God teaching you in your personal time with Him? Some of the best material I’ve written about, has come from the passages of Scripture I’ve studied in my quiet time. Share insights about a particular verse, or dissect a passage in a fairly short, to-the-point post. Don’t overwhelm the reader with too many facts or notes. Include just enough to give some needed background on a passage, and share relevant application for life today.

3. A series on a Biblical topic—For three or four weeks, blog about peace, joy, or hope. Ask other bloggers to guest post for you, so your readers benefit from their insights and experiences as well.

4. A special quote you heard in a sermon or Sunday school lesson—If you hear something in a message that resonates with you, it may resonate with those who don’t go to your church. You can quote public speeches without having to get permission, but it’s a courtesy to ask. Always give credit to the pastor or teacher who said the quote you want to write about, and expound on it in the post.

5. Principles from your book—Pick a principle from your Bible study to write about, or post a short excerpt from your book if you have permission from your publishing house. If your book is under contract or review by a publishing committee, seek your agent’s or editor’s advice about when and how much to write about your book. Share with readers why you wrote it, and give a glimpse of what’s in it.

If you are a Bible study writer or a Christian living writer, what topics do you like to blog about? What ideas do you have for posts and where do you find them? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Join the conversation!

TWEETABLES

Blogging for the #Biblestudy writer – tips from @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Yes, #blogging is foreveryone, even #Bible study writers - @KatyKauffman28 on @EdieMelson (Click toTweet)

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning writer and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, a ministry which seeks to connect people to God through His Word. She has taught the Bible to women and teens, and has two published Bible studies for women, 2 Timothy: Winning the Victory and Faith, Courage, and Victory. Her heart’s desire is for women to know and love God, understand the richness of His Word, and fulfill His plan for their lives. Katy is also the designer of Broken but Priceless: The Magazine. She makes her home near Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her further on Facebook and Twitter.