Before the age of 7, he lost his mother to tuberculosis.
Before he reached 12, his father had him traveling the seas.
By the time he was 18, the British Navy pressed him into service.
At 23, he was involved in the slave trade—first as a sailor, then as a captain—until his health forced him to give it up at age 29.
John Newton lived for himself until a near-death experience in a storm at sea forced him to recognize his mortality…and he turned to God.
He then served as a clergyman in the Church of England and became a vocal opponent of the slave trade. He mentored William Wilberforce who served in parliament and was also against the slave trade. 9 months before his death, Britain finally abolished the slave trade.
John Newton is most widely known for writing the hymn, “Amazing grace”:
“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
John Newton was transformed from slave trader to slave-trade-abolisher through the power of the gospel. He abandoned a life of self-gratification to lead a life of service.
The love of Christ is powerful and transformative, but you and I must to submit to being changed. Just as children experience growing pains, we too will experience some pain as we grow in Christ, but the result is worth it every time!
Who were you before you came to Christ?
Maybe your transformation doesn’t seems as dramatic as Newton’s, but that doesn’t mean Christ hasn’t made drastic changes. Remember that without God, all people are lost. The quality and quantity of sins is irrelevant—all have sinned and all need saving.
“I once was lost, but now am found…”
Who were you before Christ?
Who are you now?
How has he transformed you this far?
This month, we will consider how Christ has changed us as we copy related scriptures. Consider phrases like, “and such were some of you” or “you were_____, but now are_____…” as you copy them and meditate on them.
In this season of giving, let us remember to be thankful for the gift that God has given us of a changed life!
To download this month’s plan as a printable black and white PDF, click the link:
To download the children’s copying and tracing pages, click the links below:
New to scripture writing? Check out this post: How to Use Scripture Writing Plans
Want a different plan for December? Try one of the previous December plans:
- Finishing Strong (December 2021)
- The Names of Jesus (December 2020)
- Joy Inexpressible (December 2019)
- A Joyful Heart (December 2018)
I hope you’ll join us as we finish out the year!
Elihu's Corner 
Hello, when will the writing plan for January 2023 be available?
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Good morning! Thank you for your interest in the upcoming scripture writing plan. I just finished writing out the plan and I’m going to have it proofread today. I will post it no later than December 31st.
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