1. START off by writing the date and the scripture that you are reading at the top of your journal page. This acts as a reference point when you look back at your journal. It also acts as a source of accountability. Sometimes we think it has only been a day or two since we spent time in the scriptures but when we look at our journal we notice that it's actually been three weeks. Yikes!

2. KEY THOUGHT: Read the passage for the day a couple of times. Pray for insight as you meditate on what the passage says. In one or two sentences, write down what you see as the key thought of the passages that you read. Use your own words; imagine summing up what you just read to someone who has never read the Bible.

3. KEY VERSE: Write down the one or two verses, word for word, that grabbed your attention or maybe sums up the passage you just read. This does two things: it causes you to meditate on those verses and it helps you begin to memorize those verses when you write them down.

4. KAIROS: Every time we spend time in God's Word, we should have a kairos moment. Most definitely, there will be times where we hear His voice much louder that others. 

• Repent: Write down in a sentence, what is God saying to me? What is He asking me to start, stop, know, or change?

• Believe: Write down in a sentence, what am I going to do in response to what God has told me?

5. PRAYER: Surprisingly, the goal of spending time in God's Word is not to simply read the scripture but to pray the scripture. Based upon the text and what God has spoken to you, write out a prayer to God, like a letter to Him. You could ask Him for wisdom and courage to follow through with what He has asked of you, seek forgiveness for times that you haven't been obedient, or simply pray through the scripture.