Campus Church is meeting at Ilam School on Sunday, 22nd June. 5 pm, 66 Ilam Rd

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Starting the Day with God

1. Capture What You're Already Doing

From Dale Wang

“We all devote time to something — our phones, the weather, coffee. I’ve learned to recapture those moments and offer them to God.”

How Dale does it:

  • Pairs Bible, prayer or praise with regular moments (e.g. praying in the shower, listening to Scripture while commuting).

  • Some things are replaced (e.g. putting away the phone); others are transformed (e.g. using a walk to pray).

  • The goal is to create repeatable patterns that draw you to God even when life is busy.

Try this:
What do you already do every day? Could you turn one of those things into a moment of prayer or Scripture?

2. Build a Simple Routine That Fits Your Life

From Jenn Knopp

“Reading the Bible personally builds our joy and perseverance — and shapes our relationship with God.”

How Jenn does it:

  • Reads a chapter of the Bible most mornings (sometimes adds a Psalm).

  • Writes the date, a short summary of the passage, and prayer points (praise + requests).

  • Uses tools like:

    • PrayerMate app (for organising prayer)

    • First 5 app (short devotionals)

    • Audio Bible while doing housework (David Suchet’s NIV)

  • In different life seasons, she’s adjusted what works — from pre-bed reading as a teen, to short reflections during baby naps.

Try this:
Read a chapter. Write down:

  1. A verse that stood out

  2. One thing to thank God for

  3. One thing to pray about

 3. Ask Simple Questions & Write Briefly

From Rosemary and John Oliver

“Don’t try to do too much — do something small, and do it regularly.”

How Rosemary and John do it:

  • Rosemary asks three simple questions:

    1. What does this passage say about God (Father, Son, Spirit)?

    2. Is there a command, promise, warning, or example?

    3. What can I do about it?

  • She writes short notes in a small notebook — enough to reflect, but not too much to become a burden.

  • John reads through the entire Bible every year (3 pages/day) and picks one verse to meditate on and apply.

  • Both recommend choosing a smaller passage if you're just starting out — and working through a whole book rather than skipping around.

Try this:
Choose a short passage (5–10 verses) and write:

  • What it shows you about God

  • One truth to believe or action to take

  • A short prayer

Recommended Tools

  • Apps: PrayerMate, First 5, NIV Audio Bibles

  • Methods: Swedish Method, 3-Chapter Plan (OT, NT, Psalm)

  • Books: None Like Him (Jen Wilkin), Dig Deeper series (Sach), Expository Thoughts (J.C. Ryle), specific book commentaries

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
You don’t need the perfect method — just a willingness to draw near to God and let Him speak.

Devotional Plan

1. Read
Choose a short Bible passage and read it slowly. Ask:

  • What does this show me about God?

  • What stands out or challenges me?

  • What might it mean for me today?

Suggested passages to start with:

  • Psalm 23 – The Lord as our shepherd

  • John 15:1–17 – Jesus the true vine

  • Philippians 2:1–11 – The humility of Christ

  • Romans 8:31–39 – God’s unshakeable love

  • Ephesians 6:10–18 – The armour of God

  • Isaiah 40:28–31 – God’s strength for the weary

  • Colossians 3:12–17 – Living as God’s people

2. Reflect
Write a few notes in a journal or notebook:

  • One sentence summary of the passage

  • A verse to remember or return to

  • One way this might shape your thinking, attitude, or action today

3. Respond
Pray in response to what you’ve read.

  • Praise God for what you’ve seen about Him

  • Confess where you’ve fallen short

  • Ask for His help today

  • Pray for someone else

4. Return
Take one verse from your reading and return to it throughout the day.

  • Write it on a card or in your phone

  • Say it to yourself during a walk, while waiting in line, or before sleep

  • Let it shape how you think, speak, and act