How Can I Create a Social Media Post That Points Readers to God?

No matter how we feel about social media, we can agree that it’s influenced us, and the evidence is this — it’s shaped us into consumers of bite-sized bits of information who want this delivered in a short amount of time.

As a writer, sometimes I want to resist this trend. After all, how can we fully express our ideas in such short formats? But maybe we’d be better off asking, “How can I use social media to point my reader to Christ?”

One answer is this — we can write devotional microblogs. Let’s break down the meaning of adevotional microblog.

You know what a devotion is — a short piece of writing to encourage readers to follow God and His ways.

Microblogging is writing micro(small) posts on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

So writing a devotional microblog means taking the elements of a devotion and writing a social media post that includes those elements — in other words, a devotional microblog.

A typical devotion, and thus a devotional microblog, includes these four elements:

• Introduction.
• Addressing the reader.
• Teaching. 
• Conclusion.

Here’s an example of a devotional microblog:

Today the battle I’m facing feels bigger than I can handle.

Can you relate? Maybe you’re wresting with …

A battle you never thought you’d have to fight.
A battle you don’t feel equipped to handle.
A battle that feels like it will surely crush you.

I understand how it feels to be scared, anxious and even helpless.

But here’s a reminder:

God has never lost a battle. And He’ll be faithful to win yours too.

In prayer, name the specific battle you’re facing, and in the comments, write,
I trust You, God, with this battle. Amen.

(Adapted from Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Instagram)

Let’s see how the four devotional elements show up:

• The introduction is the first line, “Today the battle …”
• Addressing your reader begins with “Can you relate …”
• Teaching Scripture begins with “But here’s a reminder …”
• And the conclusion, “In prayer, name …”

In just 90 words, you’ve encouraged your reader and reminded her to turn to God. This is a
format you can use again and again! Take a look at some of your previous social media posts.
How can you revise them to adapt to the format of a devotional microblog? Or write a new
devotional microblog today.

Happy posting!

Melanie Chitwood

Do you think you’re resisting social media, or are you embracing it as a tool to point others to
Christ?