H.E.A.R. Journaling through the Bible
Published December 14, 2025
1. HIGHLIGHT a verse from the day's reading.
Write out the verse(s) that helped you focus the most on the passage.
(Actually writing them out is so helpful to slow you down in meditating on the passage)
2. EXPLAIN the passage.
Using your OBSERVATION and INTERPRETATION skills, you rewrite what the passage is saying. You’re not applying or jumping to a lesson here; you're just explaining the text in context. Some questions that will aid the student in discovering the contextual meaning include:
- 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 does He intend to communicate through this text?
3. APPLY the passage.
This application is the heart of the process - the previous work culminates under this heading. Some questions that will aid the student in discovering the contextual meaning include:
- Is there an example for me to follow?
- Is there a sin to avoid?
- Is there a promise to claim?
- 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 error in my thinking to mark?
- Is there a challenge to face?
4. RESPOND to the text.
This may take on many forms. It could be a call to action or a description of how the reader’s life will differ because of what God has said in this passage through His Word. One may indicate what will be done because of what has been learned. It could also be a space for writing a prayer to God - tied to the text.