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Edited by
Sue Nilson Kibbey,
Carolyn Slaughter,
and
Kevin Applegate
Abingdon Press
Nashville
TRANSFORMATION JOURNAL: A DAILY WALK IN THE WORD
Copyright © 2008 by Ginghamsburg Church
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Abingdon Press, 201 Eighth Avenue South, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202-0801, or emailed to [email protected].
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Transformation journal : a daily walk in the Word / edited by Sue
Nilson Kibbey and Carolyn Slaughter.
p. cm.
Originally published: Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007.
ISBN: 978-0-687-65502-1 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Bible—Meditations. 2. Devotional calendars. I. Kibbey, Sue
Nilson. II. Slaughter, Carolyn, 1949–
BS491.5.T73 2008
242'.2—dc22
2008035561
Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All images copyright © ISTOCKPHOTO.
08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17—10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
MANUFACTURED IN CHINA
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