Devotionals are a valuable teaching tool for churches. As a minister of the Universal Life Church, you may sometimes wonder if your sermons are going in one ear and out the other. You may feel as though the impact of Sunday church services are lost throughout the week. Many church members struggle with following through with all the good intentions they set on Sunday. Devotionals give parishioners a tangible reminder of the week’s lesson and leave them with something to think about. They help parishioners to integrate the church’s teachings into their daily lives, instead of just passively showing up for church once a week.

Devotionals are readings, often from scripture though they may be from any faith-based source, related to what the church teaches. They help fill the weekly gap between sermons and give parishioners a head start on the next week’s lesson. It’s easy for people to get lost in the daily grind and forget the good intentions they made on Sunday. A devotional adds to church members’ personal worship time and helps keep them engaged. Devotionals are sort of like homework that help clarify the church’s teachings and get church members actively learning instead of just listening to a lesson once a week.

To help reach a wider audience, include an area on your online church site in which church members can browse or search for devotionals in a catalog. Be sure that the newest devotional is featured and easily accessible, to help people follow along throughout the week. Having a member forum will encourage church members to connect with each other outside of church and allow them to share comments and thoughts on devotionals. Sometimes scripture passages are confusing, and insight from other members can shed a lot of light on the subject. This collaborative learning style and sharing of experiences will strengthen the church community and decrease individuals’ confusion and frustration. The added support and encouragement from fellow church members will help everyone follow through with their goals of living a Christian lifestyle. Allowing for discussion also reinforces and embeds the weekly message in the minds and hearts of church members.

Devotionals provide extra motivation, inspiration, and encouragement to help church members progress on their walk of faith and strengthen their relationship with God.