A Notebook for Growing
If you watch people walking into South Sheridan Baptist Church in Lakewood, Colorado, you'll notice up to a third of them carrying a 51/2-by-81/2 blue notebook.
A glimpse of the cover will reveal the title "Words of Wisdom," a logo, and a Scripture: "Wise men lay up knowledge. Proverbs 10:14." Inside the three-ring binder are tab dividers: (1) Sermon Notes, (2) Sunday School Notes, (3) Personal Devotions, (4) Evening Bible Study, (5) Prayer Lists, and (6) General. Printed, prepunched forms appear in the various sections.
"We put these together to help people organize their spiritual lives," explains Sparky Pritchard, associate pastor. "We sell them in the book room and the Sunday school office for $4, and they've been a real help to many."
Several have reported that the notebook has disciplined them to absorb the deeper meaning of Scripture. "We dealt with one man whose home was falling apart; he wasn't giving leadership to it, and in fact, he had separated from his wife. We gave him specific assignments to do in his personal devotions, using the notebook. Before long, he said, 'I didn't realize the Bible could be so real and could apply directly to my situation.' Today, that marriage is back together."
During sermons, listeners can be seen jotting notes in their blue binders. When prayer needs are mentioned, they update their lists.
A final benefit, says Pritchard, is that the books arouse interest among members' friends and lead to witnessing opportunities.
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