Journaling provides a personal record of a man’s AWG. Some Bible reading plan journals have daily reading assignments printed on each journal page (The Covenant Group Discipleship Series takes this approach), while other journals include the reading plan in the index area of the journal and the user simply refers the daily reading index for the day’s assignment. The Covenant Group series uses the 4R’s journal entry layout = READ, RECORD, REFLECT & RESPOND. The lay out is similar to the Life Journal’s S.O.A.P. journal entry layout = SCRIPTURE, OBSERVATION, APPLICATION, & PRAYER.
Regardless of which journey entry layout is used, the important issue is for Covenant Group members to understand the assigned readings for each week, know how to complete an AWG (Appointment with God) journal entry, and, most importantly, follow through with the commitment to practice the life skill of setting time apart of daily reading, reflection and prayer. Journal entries become the evidence of the AWG life skill and provide the basis for a ‘check the map’ assignment (in lieu of a reading assignment) on the day preceding the Covenant Group meeting. See the examples below from both the Covenant Group journals as well as the Life Journal layouts.
Each Covenant Group Journal focuses on one of three themes: knowing, reflecting, or reproducing Christ. You can learn more about the Covenant Group Journals below.
Weekly Plan Page
Next you’ll see an example of how one of the Covenant Group Discipleship Series AWG plans lays out 12 weeks of Bible readings based on the focus of knowing God and the implications to our lives. There are 2 other journals that focus on knowing God. Other journals focus on personal transformation (3 Journals) and living missionally (2 Journals)
Weekly Plan Example Page
Journal Cover
Journal Pages
Take a look at an example of a typical journal page in the Covenant Group Discipleship Series, ready for daily use.
After that is an example of the 4-R’s AWG (Appointment with God) journal entry for illustration purposes. You’ll see John 15.1-8 as the assigned passage to READ in the header. The reader picked John 15.5 to RECORD as a key part of that passage. The 4-5 sentence REFLECTION on the passage follows. The daily devotion includes a RESPONSE (Prayer) to God specifically related to what has been read.
Sample Journal Page
Sample Journal Page Filled
Check the Map Pages
Assigned reading for 5 days per week with a sixth day to “check the map” is a good approach. The Check the Map page is a time to review the past week and highlight what God has been teaching you.
Jotting down the key ideas from the week, summarizing the central theme or big idea(s) is very helpful and give time to ponder how to put into practice what we’ve been learning. Is there a sin to avoid, a promise to claim, an example to follow (or avoid), a command to obey, or greater knowledge of God to believe?
Sample Check the Map Page
Sample Check the Map Filled
Forum Discussion Pages
Covenant Group members can use the Forum Discussion page to jot notes and insights shared in the group setting. The 4 Questions laid out on this page are the facilitators ‘guiding’ questions to ask during the group meeting to keep the group on track.
Forum Discussion Page
Life Journals
Life Journals are available through online purchase at liferesources.cc.
These journals are time tested and are a good value. Testimonies of the benefits of the Life Journal method can also be found on their website.
