How to Write a Devotional

In this video, you'll learn the most popular and effective methods - as well as suggest proven strategies - for coming up with great devotional ideas.
This video discusses:
[00:51] Devotionals Defined
[01:48] What Makes A Good Devotional?
[03:06] Who Reads Devotionals?
[03:47]Meeting Readers Where They Are
[04:06] What Makes A Devotional Book?
[05:30] The Writing Method
[05:44] Four Basic Devotional Patterns
[05:48] 1. Self-Examination
[06:08] 2. Outside Observation
[06:30] 3. Personal Interaction
[06:51] 4. The Object Lesson
[07:31] Finding Ideas
[08:06] Avoid
[08:43] The Basic Format
[09:40] Start Today
Related resources:
Get my FREE ebook on How to Maximize your Writing Time and take control of your writing routine! leveragecreative.lpages.co/on...
How to write a memoir
• How to Write a Memoir
How to write a book
jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write...
Show, Don't Tell
jerryjenkins.com/show-dont-tell/
Jerry Jenkins is the author of over 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers. He’s passionate about helping writers grow to their full potential and have the best chance to see their writing published. Browse his archive of advice pulled from his nearly 50 years as a writer, editor, and publisher at www.jerryjenkins.com.
Become part of a community of writers like you on Jerry’s Facebook page: / jerry.b.jenkins

[@jeffwspencer]

“In a world otherwise gone gray, all we need is a splash of color.” Thanks for the inspiration Jerry.

[@opeoluolufemi]

Thanks Jerry, this is challenging to me

[@DTHRocket]

Hi Jerry. I'm so glad I found your channel. I've never read anything you've written, but I love you. I am glad you are a brother in Christ. God bless.

[@lynncpvt1180]

Thank you, Jerry. This is not only helpful for helping another potential writer but has sown "seed" in my own mind and heart. Thank you for concise and helpful advice. His continued blessings.

[@mariuszkazmierczak3143]

Sometimes I write down my prayers. I once wrote a litany to the Saints of the Old Testament. Thank you for this help and inspiration. Greetings and thank God for people like you 👋👍🙏

[@frugalwilliemae]

I just subscribed and I have read a lot of your books. Thanks for your encouragement.

[@VeronicaNansubuga]

Thanks for the great ideas about writing devotional, God bless you

[@olanirangoodness9773]

Hello, do you write devotional?

[@DanaMcNeely]

Thank you, Jerry. As always, your writing advice is helpful. May the Lord bless you.

[@sandraduclos3468]

Thanks so much. Mr. Jenkins! Your advice is always excellent and your generosity is inspiring.

[@dianekitts7346]

I'm setting at my desk working on a devotion about redemption. Recently I went to a conference with focus on writing devotions. My friend sent me a link to your video as I typed my first words. God is good. Your video is helpful and I appreciate your sharing these helpful tips.

[@maltimarkan6178]

Great tips for starters 👌 Thanks

[@sharked5596]

Amazing, thank you Jerry for another great piece of guidance

[@loristrube5514]

Thanks Jerry. I am going to try my hand at writing devotionals. I was gonna take your course through the Christian Writers guild but it doesn't exist anymore on how to write Christian books and my goal is that I still intend to do that . Whereby people may read my writings after I am gone and I always said that is like you are still a witness to someone on earth if they are reading your books after you are gone!

[@alwayspositive999]

Loved the way you explained everything on this vid. Thank u

[@emettemassey7845]

Jerry thank you for sharing not only your writing experience and wisdom but also inspiring us to pick up our pen and write!

[@missnurseeri]

Humbled and grateful, thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience

[@serouniankeir8379]

Excellent!

[@hbaxter100]

Thanks for the insights. They were a blessing and motivated me to consider writing devotionals.

[@lydiacolbert6186]

This is a great idea for me. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@stevelindarogers837]

Thank you Jerry. I loved every single piece of advice that you gave here. It has confirmed some things I am doing right, as well as directed me how to improve some other aspects of my writing. Perfect for what I needed to hear today. Linda Rogers

[@robertfraserd3076]

I've read your novels. I am impressed how your Christian beliefs prevail through your stories. Over the last five years, my writing has been mostly screenplays. But I always wanted to be a playwriter. Years ago, I wrote a musical "The Wedding of Cana" or what happened to the wine on the way to the reception. I have always thought that Jesus' miracles and stories could be developed into plays or movies, that humor the audience and draw them spiritually in to the His message. For instance, the prodigal son, who wins back his brother friendship after his father forgave him. Your thoughts, RFD Reno

[@denisearmstrong77]

Thanks Jerry!

[@TheJoyJourney]

I am so happy that I found your channel. You are amazing and so incredibly wise! Thank you for this.

[@clintoreilly]

It's something to ponder about, Mr Jenkins. Thank you again for sharing your wisdom.

[@kitten37377]

Thank you so much for this information. Blessings.

[@MamaJanenk]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@dorothypurge1439]

Very informative. Thank you Jerry.

[@jessicamdenham]

Thanks so much Jerry! I wish you could know how timely this video is for me!

[@AnilVerma-hs5oi]

Thank You 🙏

[@reignlulubell]

Thanks for sharing

[@sharonburns7778]

Thank you 🙏

[@heathermichellealexis4064]

Thank you for sharing. It was very helpful.

[@SuperPastorgary]

Wow, One of the trio of beginning writer projects is writing devotionals! I'm a pastor on medical leave for Stage 4 throat cancer, and my desire is to use whatever abilities I still have to bring glory to God, encourage others, and be a blessing! Mine may be more like sermonettes! Lol. I can trim them down for The Upper Room, etc

[@myfaithisforward2562]

Praying for you, brother! Can’t wait to read what God has for you.

[@blessedone9129]

This is very encouraging direction. Thanks, Jerry!

[@disricardo-9299]

Bless you Mr Jenkins! I've followed your guidance and wrote some of my most touching devotionals about my recent "out of body" experiences. Those were published by me in the review section of Haribo jelly beans on Amazon which gave me severe explosive diarrhea in public places on three accounts. I saw the face of god and it truly is beautiful and loving. Thank you and others like you for the unending supply of blue pills in this world! Hymen!

[@susanburritt1499]

Thank you for this video. You mentioned you supplied links to submission guidelines for devotionals, but I don't see the links. Am I somehow missing them?

[@pankhurikhanna-tl9zl]

Thank you so much sir for ur wonderful tips 🙏🏻

[@eadamsgrace6711]

Thank you. Informative.

[@victorsweet583]

Hello sir I know this is off subject just wanted to tell you I just started to read the dead sea conspiracy I'm on chapter 10 already and have to say it's a great read so far!!

[@stephenlewis9436]

Thankyou Sir for this information….

[@isaiah53design]

Buy the truth, and sell it not... My favorite of your books is “The Wit and Wisdom of Jerry B. Jenkins.” To me, that’s the best devotional writing-even though it’s not a devotional, per se. I tremble to think my writing would supplant God’s word in someone’s day, though! May my life speak, but oh that no one would ever seek my words in place of His!

[@isaiah53design]

That’s not to say I haven’t written them, lol

[@anitagwinn9501]

Great points; reference links not found.

[@nimwaybaltazar3656]

I need your help can you make a video of a thesis statement with dominant impression?

[@kelleyspence2379]

I’m not finding the links to submit devotionals. Please help.

[@KayanKollyn]

Kayan Kollyn ❤ The great fantasy adventure book by V VN Mangukiya 😊 My favourite book after Harry Potter 😊 Waiting for your review ❤❤❤

[@SingularMK]

Praise Jesus the ones with a good hearth

[@terrydaniels9126]

Jerry so helpful new at writing think about what you say writing a small romance book about love widowed think here an me writing about us

[@yedidyah-jedshlomoh1533]

t was late evening in the vast slowly cooling desert. A lone figure walked slowly toward the sunset. As the sun fell the cold began to close in and he pulled his thin cloak closer. A thousand shades of red filled the horizon near the red orb as it slowly set. He looked toward the sky for direction. The sky looked like red and blue ink had been spilled across it. As the colors faded to black the stars slowly showed themselves one by one twinkling with great brilliance. It was so calm, quiet, and black in the night of the desert that he could barely make out the shapes around him. Across the desert, on foot, he drifted. A slight figure of a young man, he strolled casually toward the oasis, as the sand shifted below his feet. As the sand drifted down the windward face of a tall dune, a short distance up ahead on the left he could hear pebbles roll from the rocks above. He thought, “It is probably just a lizard or scorpion. My many trips have taught me the difference between them and a man. My fear has dissipated over the years as I have become accustomed to the sounds of the desert night. I can barely see my feet. I am thankful for the faint moonlight.”

[@jeromevaleska2014]

For anyone interested, please read this and tell me what you think. Every bit of feedback helps. This is the opening 300 words of my novel. Chapter title is a placeholder. Chapter One New Beginnings I put in my last pair of socks and with a sigh closed the suitcase. Dragging it behind, I trudged from my bedroom down the stairs. Mum was waiting at the front door, one hand on her suitcase’ handle and the other on the door handle. “Jake, are you ready?” I nodded, but in my head heard something different. Mum opened the front door, and we stepped outside. The rain was pouring and the frigid air slashed at every bit of exposed skin on my body. The wind whipped at my face, making it near impossible to keep my head up. I pulled my coat tighter closed and hugged it to my chest with my free hand. “Shit! I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad,” Mum muttered. “Won’t be long to the bus stop, we’ll just have to soldier through.” She looked down at me with a sympathetic smile. “Hey, chin up. It’ll be alright.” We started down the road together, fighting against the torrents of weather beating against us. A car raced past, straight through a large puddle, soaking us. Mum turned around to shout obscenities and give the driver a gesture to accompany. Not long later, we reached the bus stop. I practically dived for the shielded bench, desperate for an even remotely dry surface, but found it to be just as sodden as everything else. “Might not want to sit there, love.” “I wonder,” I responded sarcastically. “Bus is coming round now anyway.” A moment later the bus came to a halt. We clambered on and Mum paid the bus driver. Then we started the search for free seats. Mum looked around embarrassedly, trying to brush off our current state to staring passengers. “Hi there, isn’t looking great out there, is it? Bloody pouring, haven’t seen anything like it in a while. Left your coat at home? You’ll regret that.” Finally, we found free seats. I slipped into the window seat. Mum headed back to the front of the bus with our luggage and returned a moment later to fall into the seat beside me. I placed my elbow on the windowsill, brought my head down to rest on my palm and stared out of the window. A moment later the bus started again. For a few minutes I watched the world outside zipping past until I fell asleep.

[@semomabroo3902]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ i love you marry me jeery ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😢