by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

A silent plea to stand fills my heart every time. When I hear a soul-stirring song in a church service, I want to stand up. It just feels right. To show my solidarity for God and the words of the song and the power of the soloist, choir, and orchestra. Songs like “Midnight Cry,” “In Christ Alone,” and “What a Beautiful Name” have etched themselves on my heart and memory. When I hear these songs, I silently call for everyone else to stand up too. I usually wait for others to rise to their feet before I stand up, so I don’t block anyone’s view of the church stage. But sometimes I just can’t help it, and up I go. 

Have you ever heard music like that? It resonates in the deepest part of your heart and erupts into glorious praise to God. Do you stand? Lift your hands? Close your eyes and just tell God, “Thank You”?

We can write like that. Our lyrics are words on a page or a screen, and our melody is the harmonious blend of story, Scripture, and strategies that sound off hope in a weary soul. Just as music can inspire us to praise God and live for Him, our writing can inspire readers to delight in God, know Him better, walk in His ways, and seek to make a difference. 

So do you want to “sing”? My actual singing voice sounds best in a group where I can blend in, and I want my writing to join forces with the voices of other writers to sing of the glories of who God is and the wonderful gifts found in life with Him. Let’s combine our voices to proclaim His goodness to the world and the great love that resonates from His heart to ours. 

8 Keys to Make Your Writing Sing

So how can we make our Bible-based writing sing? These principles work whether you’re writing Bible studies, Christian living material, or devotions. A short “song” (article) or a long one (book). Include these in your “music.”

1. Pick a main idea that will resonate with your target audience. 
2. Let your writing voice convey hope and encouragement, not condemnation. 
3. Carefully pick your “lyrics” or words, not to fill space on a page, but to fill hearts with motivations to follow God or practical ways to overcome a struggle.  
4. Let your rhythm mix short and long sentences to create a cadence that draws the reader in. 
5. Repeat parts of your opening story or slant throughout your writing like a chorus—use it as a common thread to introduce your main point, illustrate your application, and drive home your takeaway at the end.   
6. Play your music for other composers—get feedback in a good writers’ group. 
7. Don’t get frustrated with “practice”—write, edit, rewrite. Repeat. Practice produces progress. 
8. Let your writing echo the heart of God who gives the message to everyone who will listen, “I love you. I’m here for you. Trust Me.”

Want to Practice “Singing” with Me?

At BRMCWC 2021, I’ll be teaching a continuing class called “Make Your Bible Study Content Sing.” We’ll talk more about how we can write with “music,” and you’ll have the opportunity to test out your “voice” and write a little here and there in class. We’ll talk about the best Bible study tools, how to write captivating lead-ins and application, how to turn writing that’s “off-key” into a beautiful melody that will stay in the readers’ hearts long after they have closed your book or visited your blog. 

If you are going to the conference in person, I hope you will consider taking this class, or if you’re attending online, it will be available as a recording. Together we can have a strong voice in this world for God and His Word, and sing for Him!

For some inspirational music to stir your heart to write, check out my Victory Songs playlist on YouTube. 

Which of these keys do you practice most easily? Which one would you like to include more? Tell us in the comments, and God bless the music you compose with Him.

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations, such as Feed Your Soul with the Word of God, Collection 1 which is a 2020 Selah Awards finalist. She recently started The Lighthouse Connection, a monthly writers’ newsletter including writing tips, inspiration to write, and news of submission opportunities.

In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, take acrylic painting classes online, and do yard work in the morning sun. Connect with her at her blog, Winning the Victory, and on Facebook and Twitter.