(Note from Rowland: there's currently - March 2005 - an S U logo on our frontpage. Here's something from them).

I've tried all sorts of ways to engage younger people with God's Word, and I must confess that - more or less - it has been a bit of a struggle to build real excitement in groups. Leaders can be hard to find, discussions can be a bit flat, or the attempt to be relevant can lead to a kind of pedagogical gymnastics (phew!) that obscures rather than clarifies Scripture. How can we encourage young people to develop a consistent habit of meeting God through reading and reflecting upon His Word?

A few months ago, I was introduced to the idea of Group Journaling by Phil McCallum in Queensland. Group Journaling presents an opportunity to incorporate a daily disciplined habit with a weekly small group providing accountability.

Scripture: Reading a set text (usually an episode or a 6-20 verse section)

Observation: What stands out for you, what observation do you make? Application: How would what you have observed change the way you live? What is the challenge for you? Prayer: Ask God to help you to live this out today!

The entire writing can be as small as an A5 page.

The process for the group is equally simple. ? Each person agrees to journal daily (as per above SOAP) 6 days a week. ? Once per week (7th day), the group meets to share their journals with each other. ? No formal teaching, or comments are required on other journal entries, but free discussion often flows.

Here is what a youth small group have discovered through this process. ? The Holy Spirit has become the Teacher, and the participants are receiving direct insights from the Scripture. God is able to speak through His Word without a third party interpreting. ? The discoveries being made by the participants are deep and abiding, because they are personal discoveries. ? The Scripture is brought to life from different angles and perspectives. ? Group members are eager to met God daily. ? The group experiences are rich because each participant aids the other to see more of God through the Scripture than they could see on their own.and everyone can participate. ? The participants are experiencing deeper personal spiritual growth through an abiding understanding of the Scripture.

It's been an exciting discovery.

Dave Tolputt

Small group has given me the opportunity and encouragement I guess, to begin to learn to be a person of the word - not just a Christian who knows about the word. I haven't really grown up in an environment where regularly reading the Bible has been a big thing. I had a strong faith and passion for God, but when it came to the Bible I was clueless. Small group has made me realise how important the bible really is and how much of an impact it can have on my life just by reading a small section each day. I keep a journal of what I learn. and what I am going to do about it. and how it is going to change my life.

In doing this my perception on life has changed, along with a lot of my values and attitudes. My relationship with God has become stronger than I ever thought it would be. I really enjoy our weekly meetings which allow us to share what we have learnt. It' s amazing how much we can learn from each other this way.

A keen new reader!

Want to know more? Contact John D'Alton at SU Victoria email on johnd[at]suvic.org.au