by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28
A desire to write Bible studies comes from deep within. The desire to share God’s truth, to show how it’s relevant to life today. The desire to help people find more hope, more freedom, more joy. We write because we know all this is found in God and we want other people to find it in Him too.
But passion to write Bible studies isn’t enough—we need hard work. Like learning the craft of writing. Studying our Bible passages well enough so we can explain them. Forming application of Scripture that’s rich with insight and meaning for our target audience. Adding stories and illustrations for reinforcement. Forming reflection and discussion questions that go deep but aren’t too intrusive.
When I first started teaching women’s Bible studies, I wanted the name of “teacher,” but the hard work that went with it? I wanted to love on women and to share the Word with them, but it was hard for me to sit still, plan a lesson, do extensive study, and be prepared. On time. What motivated me to change, was a desire to honor God and share the best that I possibly could. Then the extra studying became a delight. (I didn’t know back then that I’d become a writer. A whole lot more sitting.)
3 Keys We Can’t Write Without
I’ve discovered three keys that unlock the door to writing with relevance and richness, with personality and power. They also unlock the heavy gate of writer’s block and allow God’s creativity to flood our minds and hearts as we seek to share His Word with others.
1. Maintaining a vibrant relationship with God
This doesn’t mean we can’t write when we’re in a dry spell, but it will be harder. Have you found that to be true? When my heart was depressed about something I saw in society and I tried to write about it, it didn’t go well. But when I focused on what God and believers can do to make society a better place, powerful writing erupted.
Focusing on the glories of knowing God and flourishing in our relationship with Him, is key to our writing. Even if we’re going through a hard time, if we find what we need in God, if we see Him as our sufficiency and lifeline, it will show up in our writing. If we write from a place of “God is my world, and I don’t know how it will all turn out but I love and trust Him,” our writing will have more “oomph.” More punch, zip, and wow.
Vibrant writing can come from the time we spend with God in Bible study and prayer and having a “with Him” mindset all day long.
2. Knowing our topic from the inside out
If my writing ever sounds superficial to me, I know that I wasn’t “in” my topic. I didn’t study it enough, or swim in it enough, to really know it.
We need to dive into the topics we write about. We need Bible study tools that help us to dig deep into Scripture as we look for answers to life’s challenges. We need to dive into the depth of our felt need. What need are we addressing that our target audience faces? What question are we trying to solve? What problem are we giving a solution for? How does this Bible passage help us?
And we build the contrast. This is what it feels like to struggle with this problem. These are the challenges we face, and there’s no easy fix for them. But this is what God’s Word says about the challenges, and this is how He has helped me. If you practice this strategy for victory, this is the freedom, relief, or healing that God can work in your life.
Knowing our topic from the inside out, will build up our credibility to write about the topic, give us a heart connection with the reader, and offer a solution for a challenge they need to conquer. We will offer unique insights and meaningful steps to victory our readers aren’t likely to forget.
3. Working with God until the writing is His version of “done”
Has God ever brought your focus again and again to a piece of writing that you thought was finished? He has for me. That’s His gentle way of saying, “It’s not done yet.”
If God isn’t letting us go from working on a project, the best thing is to stick with it. We not only discover exactly what He wants to tell our readers, but we have the adventure of working with Him to understand His Word and share application that He can write on our readers’ hearts. And on our own.
Which of these three keys is your favorite? Tell us in the comments, and may God richly bless your writing adventures with Him. Each one is worth all the time and work we invest.
TWEETABLE
In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.COM, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, talk about art and crafts in her group MY ARTSY TRIBE, and tend the garden in the morning sun. She makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her at her blog, WINNING THE VICTORY, and on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.
I love this, Katy. These 3 keys are the most important way to to be successful in writing with God.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara!
DeleteWell said Ms. Katy. Our writing must come from deep within our souls. It's the same place where we must hide God's word for later use. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes! His Word abides in us, and we in it. That's how we know it from the inside out, all the while working with God to understand it. Thank you, J.D.!
DeleteI love this--sometimes as writers we neglect our spiritual side when we are busy composing. I had a friend who would not write or speak on a passage until she had ruminated over it for 6 months! The result was deep and heart-changing material, something obviously from the Holy Spirit. He does his work in us; we cannot rush the process.
ReplyDeleteWow, six months. That would certainly help you to know it inside and out. I've been meditating on Philippians for a while, and now I am writing about it. Thinking it through every night made such a difference.
DeleteGreat reminders for those of us swimming in the ocean of chaos, pounding out words addressing our readers fears and worries, floating past God's intent for us. You have offered a much needed life raft to rest upon and refresh our intent. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom!
DeleteUntil the writing is HIS version of done ... that's powerful, my friend!!! LOVE this!
ReplyDelete