An Easy Way to Journal and Interact with Jesus

Our Joy Starts Here/Atlanta conference gave us many practical tips (From Joy Starts Here Conference 2015).  The following was one of my favorites, taken from the book Joyful Journey: Listening to Immanuel. If you want to check out the book, click on the title. I have modified the journal exercise a little to make it more self-explanatory. I have also used this format orally, in group, guiding the group to listen to each step. It is a great joy-builder and it doesn’t take long to memorize the steps.  Give it a try and enjoy interacting with Jesus. It’s simple enough for kids & teens.

INTERACTION WITH JESUS

This is an exercise that will help you learn to hear God’s voice and to learn to journal if you so desire. As you progress through the steps what you wrote at first might change. Just write what you are hearing in your mind and trust it is Jesus if it fits His character. If you are alone, read aloud to Him at the end.

“The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.’ “ Exodus 3:7-8

Write down something to Jesus for which you are grateful or something that is bothering you:

ME TO JESUS:

 

JESUS BACK TO ME:

 

I (JESUS) CAN SEE YOU (where you are, what you are wearing)

 

I (JESUS) CAN HEAR YOU (maybe your thoughts, your passions, your heart)

 

I (JESUS) UNDERSTAND HOW BIG IT IS (how it hurts, what you feel)
I (JESUS) CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT (might just be to trust Him, see how big He is, something for you to do)
READ ALOUD TO SOMEONE. After reading aloud, ask the other person to give you a word or two about how they feel. Share with each other how writing and hearing the entry helped you both.