Devotionals are an essential part of a Christian’s spiritual journey, providing an opportunity to deepen one’s relationship with God through prayer, reading Scripture, and reflection. For beginners, starting a devotional routine can be overwhelming, but with guidance, it can become a rewarding and transformative practice. This article will walk you through the steps of beginning a devotional routine, offering practical advice and encouragement along the way.
What Are Devotions?
Before diving into how to do devotions, it’s important to understand what they are. A devotional is a time set aside to focus on spiritual matters, usually involving reading a portion of the Bible, praying, and reflecting on how God’s Word applies to your life. It’s a time to connect with God, gain spiritual insight, and receive guidance for daily living.
Devotions can be done individually or as part of a group, and they can vary in length and structure. The goal is to create a habit of spending regular, intentional time with God, allowing His Word to shape your thoughts, actions, and overall perspective on life.
Why Are Devotions Important?
Devotions are crucial for several reasons:
Spiritual Growth: Regular time in God’s Word helps you grow in your understanding of His character, will, and promises. It deepens your faith and strengthens your relationship with Him.
Guidance and Wisdom: The Bible provides timeless wisdom and guidance for daily living. Through devotions, you can seek God’s direction for decisions, challenges, and life’s various seasons.
Peace and Comfort: Spending time with God in prayer and reflection can bring peace, comfort, and assurance, especially during difficult times.
Obedience to God’s Word: Devotions help you to apply God’s Word in your life, encouraging you to live in a way that pleases Him.
How to Start a Devotional Routine
Starting a devotional routine might seem daunting, but it can be broken down into simple steps. Here’s how to begin:
1. Choose a Time and Place
The first step in establishing a devotional routine is choosing a consistent time and place. This helps create a habit, making it easier to stay committed.
Time: Find a time that works best for you. Some people prefer early morning when the day is quiet and distractions are minimal, while others might find evening devotionals more fitting as a way to reflect on the day. The key is consistency—choose a time that you can dedicate every day.
Place: Select a quiet place where you can focus without interruptions. It could be a cozy corner of your room, a spot in your garden, or even a quiet park. Ensure it’s a place where you feel comfortable and at peace.
2. Gather Your Materials
Before you start, gather the materials you’ll need for your devotions. These may include:
Bible: The most important tool for your devotions is the Bible. Choose a translation that you find easy to understand. Some popular translations include the New International Version (NIV), the English Standard Version (ESV), and the New Living Translation (NLT).
Devotional Book: For beginners, a devotional book can be incredibly helpful. These books usually provide a short Scripture passage, a reflection or explanation, and a prayer. Some popular options include “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers and “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young.
Journal: Keeping a journal during your devotions is a great way to record your thoughts, prayers, and any insights you gain. It helps you track your spiritual growth over time.
Pen and Highlighter: Use these to underline or highlight passages that speak to you and jot down notes in your journal.
3. Begin with Prayer
Starting your devotional time with prayer sets the tone for your time with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, open your heart and mind to God’s Word, and help you understand and apply what you read.
A simple prayer to start could be: “Dear Lord, thank You for this time to spend with You. Please open my heart and mind to Your Word. Help me to understand what You want to teach me today and guide me in applying it to my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
4. Read the Bible
After praying, open your Bible and read a passage of Scripture. For beginners, it’s often helpful to start with a specific book of the Bible or follow a reading plan.
Starting Points: Some good starting points include the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), which recount the life and teachings of Jesus, or the Psalms, which are filled with prayers and praises that resonate with many of life’s experiences.
Reading Plans: Consider using a Bible reading plan that gives you a daily passage to read. There are many plans available that range from reading through the Bible in a year to topical studies that focus on specific themes like faith, hope, or love.
5. Reflect on What You’ve Read
After reading the Scripture, take time to reflect on what you’ve read. This is where your devotional book or journal can be helpful. Ask yourself:
What does this passage say about God? Consider what the passage reveals about God’s character, His promises, or His will.
What does this passage say about me? Reflect on how the Scripture applies to your life. Is there a command to follow, a promise to claim, or an example to learn from?
How can I apply this to my life today? Think about how you can put what you’ve learned into practice. Is there a specific action you need to take, a sin to confess, or an attitude to change?
Writing down your thoughts in a journal can help solidify what you’ve learned and give you something to look back on as you grow in your faith.
6. Spend Time in Prayer
Prayer is a vital part of your devotional time. After reflecting on Scripture, spend time talking to God. Your prayer can include:
Adoration: Praise God for who He is—His goodness, love, power, and faithfulness.
Confession: Acknowledge and confess any sins or wrongdoings. Ask for God’s forgiveness and strength to overcome these challenges.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for His blessings, both big and small. Gratitude helps shift your focus from problems to God’s provision.
Supplication: Bring your requests to God. This can include personal needs, the needs of others, and any specific situations you’re facing.
End your prayer with gratitude and faith, trusting that God has heard you and will answer according to His will.
7. Meditate on God’s Word
Meditation in a Christian context involves deeply pondering God’s Word and its implications for your life. After you pray, spend a few moments in silence, reflecting on a specific verse or truth from your reading. Let it sink into your heart and mind.
For example, if a particular verse stood out during your reading, repeat it quietly to yourself and consider how it applies to your current circumstances. This step helps move what you’ve learned from your head to your heart.
8. Write Down Your Thoughts
Journaling is a powerful tool for spiritual growth. Write down what you learned, how God spoke to you, and any prayers you have. Over time, your journal will become a record of your spiritual journey, showing how God has worked in your life.
Some journaling prompts could include:
“Today, God taught me…”
“I feel God is leading me to…”
“I am thankful for…”
“I need God’s help with…”
9. End with a Closing Prayer
Conclude your devotional time with a short prayer, thanking God for the time spent with Him and asking for His guidance throughout the day. This prayer can be as simple as:
“Thank You, Lord, for meeting with me today. Help me to carry what I’ve learned into my day and to live in a way that honors You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Tips for Staying Consistent
Consistency is key to building a strong devotional habit. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
Start Small: Begin with a manageable amount of time, such as 10-15 minutes, and gradually increase as you become more comfortable.
Be Flexible: While consistency is important, don’t be too rigid. If you miss a day, don’t get discouraged. Simply pick up where you left off.
Use Technology: There are many devotional apps and online resources that can help guide your time with God. Consider using these tools to enhance your devotional routine.
Find Accountability: Consider sharing your devotional journey with a friend or joining a small group where you can encourage each other.
Make it Personal: Customize your devotional time to fit your unique relationship with God. There’s no right or wrong way to do devotions—as long as you’re spending time with God, you’re on the right path.
see also: What Is Our Daily Bread in the Bible?
Conclusion
Starting a devotional routine as a beginner may seem challenging, but with these steps, you can establish a meaningful and rewarding habit of spending time with God. Remember, the purpose of devotions is not to check off a religious duty but to grow closer to God and allow His Word to transform your life. Be patient with yourself as you start this journey, and trust that God will meet you where you are, guiding and encouraging you along the way.