Bible journaling has been a popular method of engaging with the Bible for a while. If you’re new to this practice, here’s everything you need to know!
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What is Bible journaling
Bible journaling is a way for you to engage with the text you are reading. It allows you to slow down during your quiet time and actively participate in the Bible. It is common to passively read through the Bible, not really stopping to think about what you are reading. However, journaling forces you to think through the passage and helps you to gain a deeper understanding of the text.
If you struggle with not engaging with what you are reading, or not being excited to read through the Bible, Bible journaling might be for you! Even if you adore studying God’s word, journaling what you are learning may help enhance your daily devotional time with God.
Types of Bibles for Journaling
The truth is: you don’t need a special Bible for Bible Journaling. Any Bible you have is perfect for starting your journal Bible. But if you are looking for a new Bible, here are a few different types and the ways you can use them differently.
Micro-Bible journaling
If you use a backpack Bible or even a regular double-column Bible, there will not be as much room in the margins to write down notes. This is referred to as micro Bible journaling. These also come in every translation, so you have your pick of what you want your main Bible version to be.
This is a great option if you are constantly on the move and taking your Bible to school or on hiking trips, and there are different ways to add more notes and extra pages. Because of the Bible’s small size, it will be harder to take a lot of notes (you will need small writing) or add drawings to your Bible.
Journaling Bible
This is the original Journaling Bible and is great for taking a fair amount of notes without the Bible being too large to start. You can find single {this is the one I am currently using} or double-column journaling Bibles, and they are available in many translations.
Interleaf Journaling Bible
These Bibles have the most room for Note-taking as they have a blank page inserted between every page of text.
Other types of bibles for journaling
If you are looking for a less traditional type of Bible, this spiral-bound one looks like so much fun! I think it would be really easy to get your notes down because you aren’t fighting with both sides of the page like you are in a regular Bible.
Maybe you aren’t sure if you want to commit to writing in your Bible, but you still want to try it out. If you want a super cheap option, you can copy and paste the biblical text from Biblegateway to a document and print it out! Then just punch some holes and put it in a binder.
If you want to get just one or two books of the Bible, this interleaf book set would be a great option! It would be so fun to do an in-depth book study or get super creative with your art as you engage with the text.
The “She Reads Truth” Bible is very popular, and although I am not familiar with it yet, it is on my list!
Bible translations for Bible journaling
There are so many Bible translations out there, and if you aren’t familiar with them, it can be kind of overwhelming. That’s Okay! Any translation you choose to you is great because the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)! Here is a basic breakdown of Bible translations to help you get started.
Any English Bible is translated from the Original language of Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) with a little bit of Aramaic also thrown into the New testament. Because Biblical translators have to go from one language to another, not every word or phrase has a perfect pairing from Hebrew or Greek to English. So the translators have to choose what they think is most closely aligned to the original meaning.
Because of this, there are two main ways to translate the Bible, with a lot of variations in between. Translators can either go word-for-word (called formal equivalence) or thought-for-thought (called free translation). There are also many translations in the middle (called functional equivalence). Any translation you choose for bible journaling is great, although it may be helpful to pick your main translation from the middle of the list, and use two or three other translations regularly.
The book “How to Read the Bible for All it’s Worth” was so helpful in teaching me all about Bible translations and (like the title says) how to read the Bible!
Bible journaling supplies
The only things actually required for Bible journaling are a Bible and a pen or pencil. But if you want to take your journaling to the next level, here is a list of supplies to consider.
My absolute favorite pens are the micron pens! They come in so many colors, but they also have the finest tips I have been able to find. I have used them for over 5 years, and I can’t get enough of them!
A nice set of colored pencils is versatile and can be very inexpensive. In fact, there’s a good chance you already have some lying around.
Washi tape is great for adding a pop of color, highlighting text, or attaching extra pages and notes.
Scrapbook paper has a nice thickness so that the notes you are writing don’t show through. It is also easy to make coordinating designs with single sheets of scrapbook paper that you can find at Hobby Lobby for less than $1.
Related Post: 31 of the Best Scrapbook Paper For Bible Journaling
Stamps and stickers are also a great way to add contrast and designs when making a page.
What to write in your Bible
It can be kind of intimidating when first starting out to figure out what you want to write in your Bible journal. But it doesn’t need to be! The best way to start your journal is to read a selection of scripture and ask questions about it. What stands out to you? What don’t you understand? Are there words that you need to define, or cultural aspects that you need to look up?
Related post: How to have a successful daily Bible study.
If there is a verse that stands out to you, you can make a full-page spread, verse map, or dig into the context. If there is a section that you don’t understand, you can read different commentaries and then write down what you find out so that the next time you are reading that passage, you will have your notes with you.
Bible journaling Ideas
When it comes to journaling in your Bible, there truly is no wrong way to do it! As long as you are using the time to reflect on what you are reading and how you can grow in your knowledge and relationship with God, journaling will be a helpful tool for you.
The classic thing most people think about when it comes to journaling is the aesthetic Bible journaling pages. Whether a beautifully done painting or colors that perfectly match up, there are so many ways you can achieve this goal. Just be careful of getting caught up in trying to make it look perfect – that isn’t the point!
You can also add extra pages to your Bible for note-taking. I find this especially helpful when I am doing an in-depth study and I just keep finding more things I want to record so I have them for later!
Another great Bible journaling example is to use pressed flowers when reading a passage about flowers! I did this in Matthew 6 when Jesus was giving the sermon on the Mount and telling us not to be anxious. Not even the wildflowers worry, and God clothes them!
If you are stuck on what to include in your Bible journal, Pinterest is a great way to find new ideas! I find it helpful to just type in the passage or verse I am reading and see what pops up for inspiration.
A note about Bible journaling
Bible journaling should not replace your Bible study. Although it is a great way to engage with scripture, it can also become an idol for many people. When scrolling on instagram or pintrest, we see so many beautiful examples of aesthetic Bible journaling and we wish our Bibles looked like that. Or we spend hours making the perfect spread, only to take a verse out of context or miss what God is trying to tell us all together.
Bible journaling is an act of worship. It helps us focus on bringing all the glory back to God because He is worthy of all of our praise. Be careful that you do not get caught up in having all the right supplies or perfect penmanship. As you journal, ask God to reveal Himself to you. Ask for your relationship with Him to deepen as you seek Him alone.
Comment down below on your favorite way to Bible Journal!
