The Song of Songs

Schedule of Journaling:

  • Week 1 (March 12, 2023) - Song of Songs 1:1-7

  • Week 2 (March 19, 2023) - Song of Songs 1:8-17

  • Week 3 (March 26, 2023) - Song of Songs 2:1-7

  • Week 4 (April 2, 2023) - Song of Songs 2:8-17

  • Week 5 (April 9, 2023) - Song of Songs 3:1-5

  • Week 6 April 16, 2023) - Song of Songs 3:6-11

  • Week 7 (April 23, 2023) - Song of Songs 4:1-8

  • Week 9 (April 30, 2023) - Song of Songs 4:9-16

  • Week 10 (May 7, 2023) - Song of Songs 5:1-8

  • Week 11 (May 14, 2023) - Song of Songs 5:9-16

  • Week 12 (May 21, 2023) - Song of Songs 6:1-10

  • Week 13 (May 28, 2023) - Song of Songs 6:11-13

  • Week 14 (June 4, 2023) - Song of Songs 7:1-9

  • Week 15 (June 11, 2023) - Song of Songs 7:10-13

  • Week 16 (June 18, 2023) - Song of Songs 8:1-7

  • Week 17 (June 25, 2023) - Song of Songs 8:8-14


INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALING

1. Read.

Thoughtfully, leisurely, faithfully, attentively, and repeatedly. Try to read through the verses of the week very slowly. As you read, ask Jesus to show you what He wants you to focus on. It may be one word, a phrase or a whole verse. Go into your reading with a clean slate. Don’t bring what you think you need to hear, what others have said, or what you’ve been taught. You want God to speak to you personally.

2. Write.

When a portion of the scripture jumps out to you or is illuminated, write that verse down in your journal. This is about what God has to say to you through what He has illuminated from the text. (Sometimes nothing jumps out. If that is the case, just pick one). This portion of scripture could also go on a 3x5 card for memory and meditation throughout the day. Try to build a habit of reading the 3x5 card before checking your phone.  

3. Pray while writing.

God yearns to converse with you. And He wants far more than just, "Thanks for this, can I please have that?” prayer. Respond to the scripture that you wrote down in a dialogue. That means it’s as much about listening as it is about writing. Ask God to give you ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. Using the Word in prayer ensures that your prayers line up with God’s intention for your life. 

4. Live.

You can read, write, and pray all day, but unless God’s Word becomes flesh, we miss the point (James 2). If you have taken God’s Word to heart and He burns it into you, it will by its very nature change you. And when it does, you will find yourself called to act. There will come a time when God takes you to the end of yourself then asks you to go further. He wants you to put yourself at His disposal, completely dependent on Him as you go and do what he asks, even the impossible.

A basic method for journaling (SOAP) 

S: stands for Scripture. Scripture is the breath of God that gives life. (2 Timothy 3:16/John 6:63)

O: stands for Observation. Ask God for eyes to see. (Psalm 119:18/Eph. 1:17-18)

A: stands for Application. Ask God how you can apply this to your life. (James 1:22)

P: stands for Prayer. Make the observation and application into a prayer. (Matthew 7:7-11)

Optional challenges

  • This is a “challenge by choice” study so please feel free to do what you feel led to do. Jesus said His burdens are light, so if you miss some journal entries there is therefore no condemnation! Just you being with the group is a gift because Christ is in you. Henri Nouwen, calls this “the ministry of presence”. Here are the challenges by choice: 

  • Journal through the weekly assigned Scriptures each week and come prepared to share if you feel led.

  • Pray about taking the verse you journaled on and write it on a 3×5 card reading it and meditating on it throughout the day/week.

  • Read the week’s verses and pick your favorite one and memorize it as your verse of the week.

  • Pray about sharing what God is showing you to others.  

  • In the evening when you go to sleep, try to meditate on the verse of the day while falling asleep.

  • Download an audio Bible app and try to listen to passage of Scripture over and over again when you have some free time.   

  • Read the passage of the week out loud before breakfast, lunch, and dinner.