Faithgirlz! Devotional Collection -- Inward Beauty. Outward Faith

Taking Time Out For God

Taking time out (“devoting time”) for God and for those things that support your relationship with God like prayer, journaling and reflecting is exactly what a Devotional is. And the Faithgirlz! Devotional Collection is designed to guide girlz in the praying, journaling and reflecting that are just right for your issues and your life.

Sometimes it can really help to do some extra thinking about what you want this special “time out” to look like. Maybe you are more attentive when it’s quiet or maybe you like the feelings and moods that can come from listening to some meaningful music? Maybe you can’t focus until you are really comfortable both inside and out?

Check out some ideas for organizing your Devotional time and experiences below. Remember there is no right or wrong way- this is your special time. So go on girlz and take time out for God today!

Calandar

Tip #1: Get Planning

Faithgirlz! live busy, full lives and it can be hard to find the time to eat a good meal let alone time to connect to God every day. Try to block time out just like you might to make your daily phone calls to your friends or to practice your instrument or favorite sport. Routines are a really helpful way to be sure that you have time for the things that are the most important to you. You could even make a special chart or calendar to keep track of the time that you spend thinking about your life and your faith.

Tip #2: Take It Outside

Nature

Grab your devotional and head outside for a mini-vacation from all the distractions in your life. There’s nothing like the beauty of the outdoors and the invigorating feeling of fresh air to help us pay attention and get focused on appreciating the many gifts in our lives. Climb a tree for a new perspective or hunker down in your favorite grassy spot. Surround yourself with the wonders of God’s creation and uncover his special plans for you to be a part of it!

Buddies

Tip #3: Use The Buddy System

You have your best friend with you for all the other big things in your life…why would devotional time be any different? Share your growth and learning with your BFF and enjoy having a companion on your journey as a child of God. It’s so nice to know that you have someone to laugh with, to cry with and to rejoice with as you discover the beauty of believing and the beauty of uncovering and celebrating your true self.

Tip #4: Make Yourself At Home

Beanbag

How about hanging some fabric from a corner in your room or surrounding yourself with your favorite stuffed animals, colors or photographs? Taking the time to create an environment that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed can really help as you do more thinking about yourself and your spirituality. Grab a beanbag and your favorite slippers or focus on that painting that you really love and feel yourself become more at ease and more open to your communication with God.

Fortune

Tip #5: Be A Cheerleader

Imagine the joy that God feels when you reach out and connect with him. You’ve got a lot to celebrate as a Faithgirl and that is definitely worth a very loud round of applause! Maybe you could take a minute to sticky note encouraging thoughts from your devotionals onto your bedroom wall or bathroom mirror. Or it could be fun to do something special every time you finish one of the Faithgirlz! Devotional books; perhaps filling fortune cookies with meaningful Bible verses and sharing them with others or hanging a heart from a mobile for every devotional you finish. You are doing very important work and should take the time to give some hip-hip-hoorays for the time and commitment you make towards your faith!

Read ideas from other girls

Idea #1

Grab a friend in a cozy spot around your house and read your favorite Bible story.
– Rachel, age 10

Idea #2

If you're bored and you can't think of anything to do, talk to God! In your head or out loud-whatever you prefer. When I do that, I always feel happy afterward and it motivates me to read my Bible and do some Bible study! You could also choose a Christian CD and play that quietly while you study if it doesn't distract you.
– Jess, age Age 14

Idea #3

Hit the couch straight after your homework and assignments, make yourself comfortable in God's presence (in your room) and start your devotions with your devotion books and your Bible. Then pick a meaningful verse from what you are reading and try to memorize it.
– Mari, age 10

Idea #4

I usually just get in a cozy spot and write a letter to God. Then I pray. I also end the time with reading my bible. I take notes on what I think and the next day me and my friends meet and talk about what happened. We end the the time by having quiet time, reading the bible, and praying. It is really fun!
– Hannah, age 10

Idea #5

I usually wake up early and head outside. I bring my Bible, a notebook, a few tissues and a pen. I usually go to a grassy place with benches and tables. I wipe the place off with a tissue, then sit down and read the Bible--maybe three or four chapters. Then I write furiously in my notebook--yes, kind of like a letter to God. Or I write what I learned, or what I feel, whatever about the chapters I just read.
– Becky, age 12

Idea #6

Grab a piece of paper and make a schedule of when you should and how long you should read the bible and pray to God.Pray out loud or whisper to yourself. Always do that when you're by yourself in a cozy, private space. Grab a couple friends if you want to.
– Mary, age 9

Idea #7

okay girls who have a journal get it out and your bible and then write down things you study and another good idea is to get a sticky note write your bible verse on it stick it somewhere where you will see it when you get ready look at it everyday and someday you will remember it
– elizabeth, age 11

Idea #8

do the 1,1,1 plan. pick one passage from the bible, read it once a day, and read it for one week. Jeffry Dean gave me this idea. God shows you things that you hadn't see the day before
– Grace, age 10

Idea #9

i love the idea about doing it w/ friends! and cozy spot thing! although i usually do it before i go 2 bed, i snuggle up and read my devotional book! there's usually scripture that i read 2! then i read my bible!
– haley, age 11

Idea #10

I start the day with God having a devotion and in night when i want to sleep i take my journal and write things that happened and i read my Bible (i am determined to read my bible from Genesis to Revelation)then I talk to God and ask questions on things i don't understand and i also thank Him for the day.
– Sharon, age 13
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It's a Brand-New Day!
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

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