Transformation Journal: A Daily Walk in the Word

This life Transformation Journal (TJ) is created, designed, and written with the passionate desire to help you grow in your relationship with God as you walk with God's word each day.

As you use this journal, you will explore fifty- two different topics that will be part of God's plan for transformation in your life. Through your daily walk with the word, you will interact with selected Scriptures, grasp God's truths, and apply those truths to your life. By the end of one year you will have experienced God's personal interest and investment in you, learned about God's will for you, and be equipped to extend your growth as a disciple as you continue your spiritual journey.

By spending a full week reading and reflecting on each topic, you will gain a chance to develop the habit of a daily spiritual routine, an opportunity to increase your knowledge of truth from Scripture, and an occasion for God to engage and renew your mind and heart.

This journal was created and written by the TJ staff team (Kevin Applegate, Sue Nilson Kibbey, and Carolyn Slaughter) of Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. The Transformation Journal cover and interior design is by Tracey Obenour.

COMPONENTS OF THIS JOURNAL

This Transformation Journal is arranged in weekly sections. Each week is designed to begin on Sunday and end on Saturday. They are not dated, however, so you can start at any time of the year. If you fall behind in your daily use of the TJ, just pick up with the next reading for that day of the week and resume your momentum.

Take a look at the first week and you'll see the following:

• A thought-provoking question that establishes the focus for each day;

• A Focus Point that follows up on the daily question, plus Scripture readings for each day;

• Journal/reflection questions to help you further unpack the meaning of the Scripture you've read and the implications for your faith;

• Space for personal study of each day's Scripture, allowing you to record your insights, thoughts, and prayers.

The best time to use this journal is when you are at your best! If you're a morning person, do your Bible reading and journaling/reflection time in the morning. If you're a night owl, do it at night. Invest time with God during the best part of your day, every day. The bottom line is that God deserves your best.

TIPS FOR USING YOUR TRANSFORMATION JOURNAL

1. Begin with prayer, asking God to open your heart and mind to new truths, to let you see today's Scripture through God's eyes, and to help you understand it with the heart and spirit of Jesus.

2. Carefully read the question, the Focus Point, and the Scriptures for the day.

3. Reread the Scripture passages, writing down any particular observations you make about what is happening, questions or ideas you have about what you are reading, and insights into what God might be doing or saying. Try to avoid isolating any single verse or using it as a proof text for something you believe. Instead observe God's bigger intentions of love and grace. What do you notice?

4. What did you learn from your observations that you can apply to how you live your life today? What bigger principles does God want you to understand? What spiritual truths from today's Scriptures challenge you to grow? What specific steps might God want you to take today in your attitude or your actions? Write them in your TJ.

5. Look at, ponder, and respond to the journal reflection questions that may take you even deeper into understanding the Scriptures you just read.

6. Close your time with God in prayer, asking God to show you how to apply what you've learned for life transformation. Write out your prayer in the TJ if you wish.

7. Meet with your cell group (small group) on a regular basis to discuss and interact together about the Scriptures you've read and what life applications you've made through the use of this Transformation Journal.

CELL GROUP GUIDE

Cell groups (small groups) are designed for investigating the Bible together as well as encouraging one another's spiritual growth, accountability, and relationship with Jesus. The following will help guide your cell group's meeting time as you use the Transformation Journal together.

Group Rules

1. A cell group practices confidentiality, which means what is shared in the group remains in the group.

2. A cell group is a safe place for people, where there is no judgment or ridicule for sharing thoughts, feelings, or past behaviors.

3. A cell group honors everyone's time by starting and ending the group on time.

Gather the People

Ask: What was one God-moment you experienced this week? and invite each person in the group to answer.

Bible Study

1. Choose and read as a group one or more of the primary Scriptures for the week.

2. Have each person share his or her response to one of this week's journal questions and the related Scripture passage.  

3. Share personal stories about what God is currently transforming or changing in your life.

Caring Time

1. Ask each person to share prayer requests as well as blessings from the week.

2. Pray together as a group, acknowledging God's goodness and praying for the individual requests that were shared.

3. Pray that God brings others into your lives whom you may add to your cell group to increase your outreach.

sunday

What Was God’s Reason For Creating The Bible?

The Bible, known and accepted as the written word of God, is an important way God communicates with people in order to develop their relationship with God and to give life direction. Jesus demonstrated the importance of God's word by strategically quoting from the Old Testament throughout his earthly ministry.

Deuteronomy 8:1-11 and

Matthew 4:1-11

• According to Deuteronomy 8, what did God promise God's people if they obeyed God's instructions (commands and laws) as written in the Scriptures?

• Think of a time when, as it did for Jesus in the wilderness, God's word came alive and made a strong difference as you faced a difficult situation or temptation. What happened?

monday

What Can Help Me Understand The Bible Better?

The Holy Spirit actually comes to live within you when you open your life and heart to Jesus. The presence of the Spirit makes a personal relationship with God possible, and all of life begins to change, including your ability to grasp the meaning of God's written word and apply it to your daily living.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 and

Psalm 119:1-16

• According to 1 Corinthians 2, what effect does the Holy Spirit have in helping you understand spiritual truths from the Bible?

• From Psalm 119, list at least three transforming results that happen in your life as you internalize the Bible's message (here also called statutes, precepts, laws, and commands).

tuesday

How Important Is God's Word, The Bible, To My Daily Life?

Most people want a life of meaning, fulfillment, and purpose—a life matching what God designed it to be. Yet your tendency may be to react to life experiences rather than to proactively seek the will of God. Every day, every follower of Christ needs to stop and think about where his or her life is headed, and that is best done in the revealing light of God's word—the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:10-17 and James 1:19-25

• What purpose does Bible study serve in the life of a believer (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?

• Just as you physically look into a mirror every morning before you face the world, James encourages you to do a daily spiritual check. As you look into the mirror of God's word, what needed adjustments to your life direction do you believe God is revealing to you?

wednesday

How Can I Prepare Myself To Get The Most Out Of The Bible?

The old saying You only get as much out of something as you put into it is especially applicable when it comes to Bible study. As a follower of Jesus, you can't expect your life to have maximum spiritual growth and impact in others' lives without your first immersing yourself in God's training manual, the Bible. In today's reading, the Israelites had disregarded their copy of the Scriptures many years before. But when God's word was rediscovered and its truths read, King Josiah went to work setting all things right according to what God desired.

2 Kings 22:1–23:25

• How did King Josiah respond personally to the newfound book of the Law, God's word? What actions did he take in response to hearing God's word for the first time?

• Is there anything in your life that needs to be cleaned up in order to line up with God's word, just as Josiah had to clean up his nation and the sinful activities they were practicing? If so, what?

thursday

What Results Can I Expect As I Study And Apply The Bible To My Life?

As you hear God speak through God's word about needed change in your life—and respond in obedience and surrender to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit—you will gradually begin to see yourself change, bit by bit, to take on the character and purpose of Jesus. Old habits will fade away, new habits reflecting God will take their place and a clearer picture of God's purpose for your life will begin to form.

Mark 4:1-20 and Deuteronomy 30:11-20

• Jesus understood the tendency to make excuses and rationalize disobedience. In Mark 4, what were the reasons preventing three of the seeds from producing a crop? What was the result of hearing and accepting (applying) the word, as symbolized by the fourth seed?

• In asking for full obedience as described in Deuteronomy 30, is God asking you to do something impossible? Why or why not?

friday

Why Do Some Christians Refer To The Bible As Their Sword?

Paul, perhaps inspired by the Roman soldiers surrounding him during his imprisonment in Rome, used a sword to symbolize the word of God. Paul was very aware of the spiritual attack by forces of evil that comes against those who follow Jesus. The sword of the Spirit is the sharp instrument that helps you come against the enemy of evil, and it penetrates and judges your spirit as well.

Ephesians 6:10-18 and

Hebrews 4:12-13

• Why do you think Paul chose to use the image of a sword when describing God's word, the Bible, to us?

• Read today's verses from Hebrews again. Think of a truth you have read in the Bible that has penetrated your heart and brought you new insight. What was it? How did it change your thinking and your actions?

saturday

What Did Jesus Have To Say About The Bible?

Jesus validated the Scriptures as God-inspired and as God's means of communication with humanity. He presented the word of God as alive, transformational, and consisting of one central message—that Jesus was God's plan to reconnect and be in relationship with the people God loves. Jesus confronted the misuse of Scripture that reduced it to an intellectual exercise or a belief system made up of rules that judge and divide, rather than the living word of God that frees and transforms.

John 5:36-47 and 2 Timothy 2:15

• In John 5, Jesus was speaking to Jewish leaders. How were they misunderstanding and thereby misusing the Old Testament Scriptures?

• The word of truth in 2 Timothy is a reference to the Bible, God's word. If this verse describes God's expectation of you, what steps can you take to help yourself become better and better at being a workman as described?

sunday

What Advice Did Jesus Give About How To Pray?

Prayer was an integral part of Jesus' life, and the twelve men who surrounded him during his three years of ministry were privileged to have Jesus as a model in this area. This intimate connection with the Father, which gave Jesus power to accomplish God's mission, remained a mystery to them until they finally said to Jesus, Teach us to pray.

Luke 11:1-11 and Matthew 6:5-15

• Matthew and Luke each gave their own unique perspective on Jesus' instructions on prayer, with certain things standing out in importance to each one. What did each one report?

• Which of their instructions are most helpful to improving your daily prayer life?

monday

How Long Do I Need To Keep Praying For Needs And Requests?

God's word teaches that perseverance in prayer yields amazing results. Rather than a grocery list of requests submitted for God's approval, prayer becomes an ongoing conversation with God about God's will for you, the well-being of others, and the fulfillment of God's purpose on Earth. Even back in Old Testament times, Abraham's persevering prayers yielded miraculous results.

Luke 18:1-8 and Genesis 18:16-33

• What in today's Scriptures would encourage a follower of Christ to persevere long term in prayer?

• For what or whom have you let go of praying and need to resume?

tuesday

When I Pray, What Is My Ultimate Goal?

True prayer ultimately brings a close connection with God, through which you submit your mind, heart, and will to God for alignment with God's heart and will. This truly is the most important purpose of prayer (not just asking for protection and blessings!). The night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed for his followers' alignment with God's will and heart, and then began the journey to the cross with his own time of painfully surrendering himself to God's will and greater purpose.

John 17:1-26 and Matthew 26:36-46

• From John 17, list at least three alignment requests Jesus makes to God on behalf of his followers. What request does he make for himself in Matthew 26?

• Some call Jesus' prayer for God's will to be done, not his own (Matthew 26:42), the prayer that never fails. Why do you think