How Journaling Helps Your Child Enjoy God
Kids know how to enjoy pizza, pets, games, and ice cream. But how do we help them know what it means to enjoy God? Believe it or not, God is not primarily looking for kids who dutifully behave. His first priority is for kids to know and love him.[1] Until kids grasp that God made us to enjoy a relationship with him, something will always be missing.[2]
A Father’s Story
One father shared the struggles and joys of leading his family to know and enjoy God. “The truth is, dedicating time for family devotions each day is hard. Our schedules are full. The one thing that often gets pushed back and then postponed is our family’s time to read God’s word. We spend so much energy just trying to corral the kids.” Why would a family even try? “We have to remind ourselves,” he asserted, “God’s assignment to us is to help our kids know him, love him, and put their trust in him.”
Family devotions can be too much like having to eat your vegetables. The simple tool of journaling can help parents with family devotions. Journaling, whether with pictures or words, can free kids from thinking of the Bible as a rule book. As they record their thoughts, they learn that God’s word speaks truth to them.[3] Reading the Bible satisfies them, like enjoying a delicious meal.[4] Adding time for journaling adds excitement. Now reading the Bible means tasting “sweet honey.” Through journaling, any child can learn what it means to enjoy God.
The Surprising Value of Journaling
God made our brains so that the act of writing out our thoughts helps us think and remember. Nothing has a greater potential impact on our child’s life than the word of God. The Holy Spirit takes God’s word and points them to Jesus. Journaling helps kids concentrate. When they write down what is true about God, the Holy Spirit supersizes it! Journaling in words, pictures, stories, poems, or songs helps them remember the mighty work of God in their lives.
How to Journal With Your Kids
1. Journal What You Learn About God
Children cannot see God with their eyes, but God’s word opens the eyes of their hearts. God’s actions tell us who he is. As you read the Bible together, ask: (1) What God is doing? (2) What does God’s action tell us about him? (3) What picture will you draw of what God has shown you? Or, write a story to tell what God has shown you about himself.
Here’s an example using Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 19:1:
(1) God created everything.
(2) God alone is able to bring something out of nothing. He is all-powerful and good.
(3) A young child might draw the sun rising. Older children might write a story of the creation account (the whole family can act it out).
2. Journal What You Learn About Relating to God
Children do not understand the greatness of God’s grace to them in sending Jesus. How can they when they don’t understand their own sinful hearts? We can help kids understand and remember God’s acts of love. As you read the Bible, ask: (1) What has God done for you in Jesus? (2) How will you praise him? (3) What picture will you draw of what God has done for you? Or, what song can we sing that says what God has done for you?
Here’s an example using 1 John 1:1–7:
(1) Jesus is stronger than everything, even sin and death. God promises to forgive the sin of all who turn to him and trust in Jesus.
(2) As God’s children we thank him that we will spend eternity in heaven with him.
(3) Draw a prisoner’s release from jail; Or write a love poem to Jesus—your Savior.
3. Journal What God Wants You to Believe, Love, and/or Do
Children think their own way is best. We can help them understand that our loving Father’s way is always best. Journaling helps kids experience the joy and privilege of obeying him. As you read the Bible, ask: (1) How does knowing God as Father change what you believe, love, and/or do? (2) How do you know that obeying God is best? (3) What picture will you draw of what God wants of you? Or, draw a picture of how you want to obey God (then act it out).
Here’s an example using Romans 8:9–15:
(1) God wants me to know that through the Holy Spirit Jesus is right with me all the time.
(2) The Holy Spirit living in me gives me strength and joy in obeying God.
(3) Draw a picture of what it means to turn to Jesus and away from what you have done. Or, tell a story of someone going down the wrong path toward danger. How does the story end?
Journal Entries Help You Trace God’s Work to Make You More Like Jesus
Most children enjoy looking at family photos and videos to see how much they’ve grown. Many families eagerly mark their kids’ physical growth on a door or wall. But spiritual growth is not so easily measured. The Holy Spirit changes us little by little, as we yield to him. In the future, when you reread the journal notes, you and your children will enjoy God even more. He will reveal to you his power at work in the minds and hearts of those you love. Through journaling your family can learn what it means to enjoy God.
[1] Psalm 34:8; 37:4–6
[2] Psalm 16:11
[3] Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17
[4] Psalm 119:103
