Do you want to engage with Scripture? I mean REALLY engage? HEAR journaling helps you read the Bible with purpose! Wehter you don't read much now or you have a daily reading plan, don't just check off the boxes. Help yourself HEAR from God. Read in to understand and respond, not just to take in information.

It’s totally possible to have information but not be impacted by it. It happens all the time in various situations. It happens with the Bible as well! We believe the goal in engaging Scripture is not just to learn more; it’s to live out what we know!

HEAR Journaling can help you!

What is a HEAR Journal?

The HEAR Journal is a tool to help us create an atmosphere to hear from God when we come to Scripture. It's not a magic formula that must be applied. It is simply HELP to guide our study of the Bible.

​In creating an atmosphere to hear from God, the first step—before reading or journaling—is to pray. Sincerely ask God to speak to you. It is vitally important that we seek God’s guidance in order to understand His Word (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). When we come to Scripture, we should pray this simple prayer of David: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law (Word)” (Psalm 119:18). 

H - Highlight

After praying for God's guidance, open your notebook or journal, and at the top left-hand corner, write the letter H. This exercise will remind you to read with a purpose. In the course of your reading, one or two verses will usually stand out and speak to you. After reading the passage of Scripture, HIGHLIGHT that verse or phrase by writing it down in your journal.

E - Explain

After you have highlighted the passage, write the letter “E” under the previous entry. At this stage, you will EXPLAIN what the text means. By asking some simple questions, with the help of God’s Spirit, you can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. Here are a few questions to get you started:
  • Why was this written? 
  • To whom was it originally written?
  • How does it fit with the verses before and after it?
  • Why did the Holy Spirit include this passage in the book? 
  • What is He intending to communicate through this text? 
At this point, you are beginning the process of discovering the specific and personal word that God has for you from His Word. What is important is that you are engaging the text and wrestling with its meaning.

A - Apply

Next, write the letter “A”. This step is the heart of the process. Everything you have done so far culminates under this heading. As you have done before, answer a series of questions to uncover the significance of these verses to you personally, questions like:
  • Is there an example for you to follow?
  • Is there a sin to repent of and/or avoid?
  • Is there a promise to trust?
  • Is there a prayer to repeat?
  • Is there a command to obey?
  • Is there a condition to meet?
  • Is there a verse to memorize?
  • Is there an incorrect view exposed?
  • What else is the Lord pressing upon you?
These questions bridge the gap between the ancient world and your world today. They provide a way for God to speak to you from the specific passage or verse. Challenge yourself to write between two and five sentences about how the text applies to your life.

R - Respond

Finally, below the first three entries, write the letter “R” for RESPOND. This is the last part of the HEAR Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You may describe how you will be different because of what God has said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you are going to do because of what you have learned. You may respond by writing out a prayer to God. For example, you may ask God to help you to be more loving, or to give you a desire to be more generous in your giving. Keep in mind that this is your response to what you have just read.
Notice that all of the words in the HEAR Journal formula are action words: Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. God does not want us to sit back and wait desires that we actively pursue Him. Jesus said,

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).
​
Need an example of a HEAR Journal? Keep scrolling! 
Adapted from Replicate Ministries

CHECK THIS OUT!

Need an example to look at? Me too! Try not to overthink it and write an extended essay. Simple thoughts and just a few sentences are great! Want to write more? That's fine too. Whatever you think best engages and challenges you is good!

VIDEO MESSAGE

Watch the video on the right to hear a recent Midweek lesson from Jake on HEAR Journaling.