Bible Journaling-How to Start- Part Two

Working in the ESV Enduring Word Bible from Concordia Publishing House.

How to Start Bible Journaling

Perhaps you’re looking for a new way to linger in God’s Word. Or perhaps, like me, you find yourself distracted when you open your Bible. Bible journaling is a wonderful visual faith tool that can help you linger in God’s Word. Just like with other visual faith practices, this is another way to focus, slow down and savor the sweetness of His love letter to you. 

But perhaps, also like me, you have seen the beautiful Bible journaling pages shared by others and thought the practice was only for artists. That this was something reserved for the talented few, not for me. Think again. We can all benefit from this rich practice. 

How to Start Bible Journaling

Choose the Bible.

Ask yourself a few questions: Will this be your primary Bible? Or will you use it only for your personal devotional time? Do you want to find a new Bible just for this purpose? 

You can begin with the Bible you already own or you can search your local bookstore or order online. If you’re searching for a new Bible, be ready. There are dozens of choices nowadays. 

This is the one I’ve been using for about 5 years, and I love it because it has wide margins with lined spaces for note-taking. It also has 350 pre-printed images so all you need to do is add color. It’s also a pretty Bible with a lovely teal cover and blue graphic flowers printed on the fore edge.

All this being said, don’t get too caught up in choosing the “right” journaling Bible. Begin somewhere and discover what works best for you and your methods.

Start with words, highlights, and tip-ins.

Actually opening your Bible and putting a pen or a highlighter to a page may be intimidating. Start by finding one of your go-to passages and underline it. Or highlight it. Or draw a heart next to it. You’ve started!

When you do your next devotional time, open your journaling Bible, and grab a pen. Find the passage that’s highlighted in the devotion and underline it in your Bible. If you have extra room in the margins, summarize the devotion with a short phrase. Also add the date!

Next Sunday, take your Bible to church with you so you can scribble sermon notes in the tiny margins. This pen may help because it’s a fine ballpoint for smaller writing and won’t bleed through thin paper. 

Maybe you have a folder filled with Bible study notes from a class you took recently? Transfer the Bible study notes into your journaling Bible. 

Or you may want to write your notes on another piece of paper and then glue the edge and “tip” it into the Bible. Run the crafting glue down the edge of the paper and then insert into the center gutter of the page. Close your Bible and then press to secure. I just started using this method and love how I can add extra pages to my Bible! 

Experiment. One practitioner suggests a 21-day experiment where you open your Bible every day for 21 days and add something to it – words or an image or a doodle. I love this idea, and I think I will try it. 

Add doodles and pre-printed Bible margins. 

If you like to color and doodle, try doing this inside your Bible. Remember, perfection is not the goal. Meeting God in His Word is the goal, and the longer you linger with a passage or a Bible story or character, the more it sinks in and stays with you. 

What kind of doodles can you use? I love to draw circles around words, arrows that connect, and hearts next to favorite passages. The Visual Faith® Ministry website and CPH have oodles of free pre-printed Bible margins that you can print and tape/glue into your Bible to color. All free! 

You can also find complete Bible journaling kits. These may be exactly what you need to get started.

Helpful tools.

You don’t need anything fancy to start this practice. A simple ballpoint pen or a colored pencil will work great! 

As you become more adventurous and decide to paint or glue “ephemera” into your Bible, you’ll need new tools and resources. Search online and you’ll find dozens of teachers and videos.  You can also head over to the workshops on the Visual Faith® Ministry website and find an introductory video on Bible Journaling for a low cost. As I experiment with these new practices, I will share more! 

Encouragement

If you feel intimidated by this process, consider gathering in your home or at church with a few friends and try this together.  Choose one passage, study it, and then allow for quiet time for journaling. Share your pages and process when you are finished. You will be blessed by the fellowship and time in God’s Word. 

Most importantly, remember your purpose is to linger with God’s Word, to remember, to dwell, to cling to His promises throughout the day. Your scribbles and notes will be one more way to do this. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:16-17 ESV

Thank you to Visual Faith Ministry® coach Beth Foreman for bringing us some starting helps for this devotional practice.