Have a Plan

by Steve Spence

This is part three in our series dealing with the devotional life of the youth pastor.

There’s something I’ve learned over the years about my walk with Jesus: if I don’t plan it, it probably won’t happen. I don’t drift into spiritual health. I don’t accidentally fall into the Word. And I’m guessing you don’t either. Ministry is loud. Student ministry is really loud. If we aren’t intentional about carving out a moment—just one planned, protected moment—to be in God’s Word every single day, that moment will get swallowed up by the chaos around us.

So here’s point number one: Have a plan each day.

I’ve talked to so many youth pastors who love Jesus dearly but feel spiritually dry, scattered, or inconsistent. And when we peel back the layers, most of the time there’s simply no daily plan. Not because they don’t care. Not because they’re lazy. But because they’re getting jumped by the day instead of stepping into the day with direction.

For me, planning my daily time with the Lord is as non-negotiable as brushing my teeth. I know that sounds simple, but it’s been a game changer. I look at my day and decide when I’m meeting with Him—before the kids wake up, before emails, before the “urgent” squeezes out the “important.” And once that time is set, I protect it like it’s oxygen. Because honestly, it is.

But having a planned time isn’t enough. You also need a planned approach.

A lot of youth pastors ask me, “Steve, what do you actually do during your quiet time?” And my answer always starts here: Have a plan for what you’re reading. Not a random verse of the day. Not flipping to the same encouraging passages over and over. Not just camping out in the New Testament because it feels easier. No—have a plan that gets you into the whole counsel of God.

Every year—yes, every single year—I read through the entire Bible. I’m not saying that to give myself a gold star. I’m saying it because it’s changed me. It’s anchored me. It’s strengthened me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. I switch between the Chronological Bible reading plan and the One Year Bible reading plan. Both are fantastic. Both keep me rooted in Scripture beyond just the parts I naturally gravitate toward.

A reading plan gives you structure. It keeps you moving. It helps you see the story of God unfold—not just a verse here or there, but the full narrative of His faithfulness from Genesis to Revelation. And when you build your devotional life around the full story of Scripture, your soul starts receiving the nutrients it’s been craving.

And let me be clear about something that trips up a lot of youth pastors: your devotional time is not your sermon prep time.

You need both.
They aren’t the same.

Sermon prep is ministry work. Your devotional time is ministry life. One feeds others. The other feeds you. Don’t confuse the two or you’ll dry up faster than you think. Your daily devotional time is simply your planned connection with God. Not for content. Not for students. Not for Sunday. For you and Him.

So here’s my encouragement: if you want to grow in your own walk, if you want to be spiritually steady, if you want to lead students from a place of overflow rather than exhaustion—make a plan. A plan for your day, and a plan for the Word.

Because you can’t be spiritually healthy accidentally.
You’re too called for that.
Your students need more than a spiritually malnourished leader.
And God is ready to meet you—every day—if you’ll plan to meet with Him.

Let’s be youth pastors who don’t just talk about devotion…
Let’s plan for it.
And then live it.

If you’re a youth pastor who’s struggling to build consistency in your devotional life—or you just need someone in your corner cheering you on—I’d love to walk with you. Through Fresh Calling, I help youth pastors develop rhythms, clarity, and confidence in their daily walk with Jesus and their ministry leadership.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.
If you want to talk, process, or take the next step, reach out through FreshCalling.org/coaching. I’d be honored to connect.