Bible Study for Writers
By Marlene Bagnull

Laying a Biblical Foundation     

• I will press on to know the Lord (Hos. 6:3), abide in him (John 15:1-8), and keep on growing in him (Col. 2:6-7; 2 Pet. 1:2-9).
  

• I will keep my eyes on Jesus, my leader and instructor (Heb. 12:2).
  

• I will diligently study God’s Word in order to become an effective communicator of his truth (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17).
  

• I will daily seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18).
  

• I will spend time in prayer, especially in learning to be still and to listen to what God may want to say to me and through me (Pss. 5:3; 46:10; Hab. 2:1; 1 Cor. 2:15-16).

• I will make a commitment to private and corporate worship (Ps. 99:5; Heb. 10:25).
  

• I will seek God’s direction for my life and for my writing (Ps. 32:8; Jer. 29:11-13; Gal. 5:16; James 1:5-8).

• I will be sensitive to needs around me and say "yes" to God’s call to write his answer (Hab. 2:2).

• I will wait on God’s empowering (Ps. 40:1-3; Isa. 40:29-31; Col. 1:29).

• I will use the gift God has given me and work hard (1 Tim. 4:14-16; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

• I will set specific, measurable goals (Prov. 16:9).

• I will reach out to other Christian writers both to give and to receive support and encouragement (Gal. 6:2; 1 Thess. 5:11).

• I will humble myself before the Lord and ask forgiveness for my sins that I might be a cleansed vessel through which his power can flow (Prov. 28:13; James 4:7-10; 1 Pet. 5:6; 1 John 1:8-10).

• I will put on God's armor (Eph. 6:10-18) and stand firm when the Evil One attacks (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

• I will ask for wisdom in setting daily priorities and in keeping my life in balance (Prov. 2:3-10).

• I will battle procrastination (Eccl. 5:7), get to work (1 Chron. 28:20), and finish what I start (2 Cor. 8:10-11).

• I will stay awake and be prepared for Christ's return (Matt. 25:13) and make the most of every opportunity (Col. 4:5).

• I will see the rough times in my life as an opportunity to grow (Rom. 5:3-5; James 1:2-4) and to pass on to others God’s help and comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-7).

• I will seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31) and trust him to supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19).

• I will not get discouraged and give up (Gal. 6:9) but instead will persist and trust God’s perfect timing (Pss. 27:14; 37:7; 42:11; Eccl. 3:1; Hab. 2:3; Heb. 11:1).

• I will affirm that now I have "every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will" (1 Cor. 1:7) and expect God to do great things through his power at work within me (Eph. 3:20).
  
  From Write His Answer—A Bible Study for Christian Writers. Phoenix, AZ: ACW Press, 1999. © 1999 Marlene Bagnull.