5 Things Every Devotional Should Have

Here's what to include when writing your devotional.

Writing a devotional may sound like a simple task, but there are some basic “bones” every devotional needs to be successful (and most of all, helpful to readers). So, here’s a list of what every devotional should contain:

• Sync with the calendar. Before you begin to write your devotional, decide on the calendar style you want to follow. Popular choices are annual, monthly, and daily devotionals.

• Choose your audience. Is your devotional for women? Men? Is it a devotional for overcoming grief? For finding strength? For a new mother? For children? Honing in on an audience makes your book more marketable, and that strategy will help you during the writing process.

• Add Bible verses. Spend time selecting verses and other biblical quotes for each entry in your devotional. It’s important for a Christian devotional to contain Bible verses, as the Bible is the crutch of the Christian faith.

• Include a short story or some commentary. Just as every entry needs a verse, every entry needs teaching to spotlight the exact principle you want readers to find. Share stories from your life where you’ve applied the chosen verse. Explain the verse in your own words. Give an uplifting message to encourage the reader. Whatever you decide, stick with the same format for every entry.

• End with an interaction or application area. This encourages readers to practice living out what they’ve read in the devotional. Some authors ask a question. Some authors provide a short journal prompt and room for readers to write their own stories. Others might include an application prayer.  Choose your desired format, and then give readers a chance to apply what they’ve read to their lives.

Think about and flip back through your favorite devotional. What elements do you like about it and how can you apply something similar to your own devotional?