A few years ago, I ran into a pastor friend at our favorite coffee shop, never knowing that it would transform my ministry. We were catching up about life and the ways we were serving. Our conversations are usually rapid fire back and forth, then on to the next topic.
As we continued our banter, I notice what looked like a journal. When 
I looked more closely I saw that it was a Bible, but different. It had the Scripture on the left page and open lined page on the right. Steven showed me his book. It was an ESV Scripture Journal of the book of Romans. I thought it was a great tool.
Six months pass and decided to give one a try. As I used it for my personal study, I found it helpful. I could underline, make notes, connect key ideas with arrows and organize the structure of the passage. This was helpful.Two years pass and thought I could use it with others too. I didn’t know this would unlock a whole new tool I had been looking for. I had trying to find a method for spiritual conversations with folks new to the faith or those who’d never read the Bible.
So, January of 2023 I invited my big brother, Al to join me and my sister Paula to read the Gospel of Matthew using the Scripture Journal. I had no idea how it would go, so I prayed regularly for it. I told my Paula and Al that we would read a chapter a week and text back what we found.
To my surprise Al jumped fully into it. Every Friday he had found things the caught his eye. Most weeks he was the first to write back. We had such an enjoyable time together catching up with our lives and sharing our discoveries from Matthew.
During that year I happened to be in Chicago. He had just flown back home. We got together for breakfast to see each other. As we talked about ourtime in the Gospel he said, “You know, with the health battle his grandson was facing,” Al said, “I have been reaching out for something to hold on to.” The Scriptures were speaking powerfully to his situation. Wow! I was so privileged to walk with him in that challenging time.
Fast forward to January of this year. I asked Carole, his wife, and Paula to read using a similar format with the Gospel of John. This was Carole’s first time studying the Bible. I knew it would be a stretch, so I asked her just try it for four weeks. Again, to my amazement we blew through those weeks and she said, “This is way more fun than I thought it would be!”
This simple tool of the Scripture Journal has become my go to tool 
anyone to dig into God’s Word. I have used it this year with: two very smart pastors in Stow, four men from church, old friends, student ministry pastors, and this fall my nephews (Paula’s and Carole’s boys).
As I look back on the year this encourages my soul deeply. What a privilege to walk with people and help them find answers for life. I look forward to the new year. Who will the Lord have me with walking and reading His truths. Bring on 2026.
P.S. If God leads and enables you to give to my ministry, go to navigators.org/staff/23817273, Thank you!