by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

Devotions are “story-heavy.” The danger is making them almost “story-only.”

I have seen writers share takeaway—value that readers can take away and apply to their lives—in just 250 words. Not easy, right? 

What if your word count range was 500-800 words? That seems to be the exception, but that’s what you can expect with my ministry’s magazine called Refresh Bible Study Magazine. We want to make sure writers have plenty of room to include takeaway for the reader. CBN.com allows 600 words for their devotions. So longer devotions do exist. Devotional blogs that take guest posts are likely to have longer word counts too.  

What can you do with the normal range for devotions, which tends to be 250-500 words? Even something on the short end of that spectrum has blessed me. Nature devotionals and artsy devotionals that tend to be two or three paragraphs long, have refreshed my heart and given me a principle to focus on for the day. 

So let’s think about how to include enough takeaway for each word count—250 to 500 words and above 500 words. 

Short Doesn’t Have to Be Shallow

Although it would be nice to have more words to work with, a devotion of 250 words can still deliver one powerful main point. The space is just limited to deliver it. Keep in mind that the main Bible verse is usually given under the title, and therefore would not be included in the word count. 

Here’s one possible outline to follow for the “shorties”:

• Paragraph 1 – Share your story or illustration. Write tight. Include the most intriguing details that lead to your point. 
• Paragraph 2 – Transition to your spiritual point. Use wording from the first paragraph, and show your lead-in’s connection to the main Bible verse. 
• Paragraph 3 – Share more application for the reader, emphasizing the why or the how of your message. Why is this important, or what is one more step we can take to achieve this? Bring your slant (from the lead-in) full circle, and include some of that wording to end your devotion. 

Sometimes a short devotion may turn out to be two paragraphs, instead of three. The story needs more room, or the takeaway does. Cut out any unnecessary sentences and words, and I am cheering you on as you apply the suggestions for this word count. 

When You Have More Room 

Now, 500-800 words? A little more breathing space. When you have that much room to write, the temptation can be to share too much story or to become long-winded in the presentation. We can avoid both traps if we use an outline similar to the one below. Just remember that this outline can be adjusted to fit your particular main point and delivery. 

With this longer word count, some publications may prefer to have a paragraph or two commenting on a Bible passage, offering additional insights. This will be mentioned in their guidelines. 

• Paragraphs 1-3: Share your lead-in—a story or illustration. You have a little more room to share the charming or alarming details.
• Paragraph 4: Transition to your spiritual point. Use wording from the lead-in to introduce your main message.
• Paragraph 5: Share your main Bible passage with insights and application that build to your main point. 
• Paragraphs 6-7: Share more application in the form of the why or the how behind your message, a short example from your own life, a cross-reference, or more details about your opening story or illustration, always giving reader takeaway.
• Paragraph 8: Close your devotion with a final principle of encouragement, or summarize your devotion in a sentence that has “punch,” “zip,” or “wow”—something snazzy or memorable. If you are writing a blog post, end with a question for comments. 
• Check the submission guidelines to see if a prayer or question is needed at the end. 

Which of the elements in these outlines do you think is the easiest to forget when we write devotions? Which one is the hardest to write for you? Tell us in the comments, and keep encouraging hearts with the truth of God’s Word. 

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.