This post is all about Bible journaling through Deuteronomy. In it, I share my honest review of supplies used as well as lessons learned along the way.
Bible journaling is a useful tool for taking your Bible study to the next level. Although your relationship with Christ is not based on what pens you break out during quiet time, or how much washi tape you can fit in your Bible, Using your quiet time as a creative outlet can allow you to experience the Word of God in new ways.
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One of the reasons I love Bible journaling is that it forces me to slow down and really consider what I am reading. I have read through the Bible a few times now, but but systematically going verse by verse, using commentaries, Biblical dictionaries, and other tools, my knowledge of scripture has exploded. Even more so, my relationship with God had grown as I’ve experienced His love and fullness of character through His word.
Here is a peak of my Bible journal through the entire book of Deuteronomy. Under each picture, I’ll share any relevant supplies used, as well as gift a brief overview of techniques to help you in your own journey. I will also give a small commentary of lessons I’ve learned as I went through Deuteronomy. If you would like a guided Bible study to help you go through this amazing book, consider starting with A Brief Introduction to Deuteronomy.
Bible journaling through Deuteronomy: the second law
When I began Bible journaling through Deuteronomy, I knew I wanted to coordinate colors to help the book feel cohesive when flipping through my Bible. I used some scrapbook paper for inspiration and chose Crayola colored pencils that matched. These are some of my favorite Bible journaling supplies because of their value and versatility.
I also love using micron fine-tip pens to write tiny notes in the margins. They have a small enough point that I can write two lines of text for each line given in my journaling Bible. I also enjoy circling the word of phrase of Biblical text that corresponds with a particular note, and using the color pencils for easy reference.
Although I have yet to try them, Mr. Pen also offers a fine-tip pen with great reviews for half the price.
Bible journaling with scrapbook paper in Deuteronomy
As you will see throughout this post, I used a fun hot-air ballon scrapbook paper (here is a similar option) for Deuteronomy. Anytime I needed to add extra notes to the page, I would cut out and insert this scrapbook paper to increase space. There are many different methods for adding paper, and here I simple used scotch tape along the edge of the paper and folded it over my Bible page.
I strongly recommend using single sided scrapbook paper instead of double sided because it gives you one blank side without adding extra bulk to your Bible (the more notes you add, the bulkier your journal Bible will become).
Recommended post: 31 Of The Best Scrapbook Paper For Bible Journaling
Once again, I used a small piece of scrapbook paper held in with scotch tape to extend my note taking abilities. I love the added pattern of using scrapbook paper throughout my Bible. I also like boxing in my notes to help differentiate them and make them look a little cleaner and less chaotic, especially when the note spills outside of the margin.
Using hand-lettering in Deuteronomy
Sometime, if a verse or small quote of commentary sticks out to me, I like to write it in contrasting print to draw attention to it. To do this, I use various sizes or colors of the micron pens. I’ve been using micron pens since I started Bible journaling around 10 years ago, and they are by far my favorite option. They last a long time without drying out and do not smear when I’m using them.
For this bit of scrapbook paper, I used glue pens to trace a small amount of glue along the edge of the paper and then inserted it in the spine of my Bible. I then closed my Bible for about a minute to give the glue time to dry.
Because I have notes going in both directions, I used tiny arrows to connect the note with its corresponding word or phrase. This helps me follow the notes the next time I am reading through these chapters, allowing me to easily remember why it is important.
I also included a Mr. Pen transparent sticky note with the quote “read it as if it’s your first time” to remind myself that even if some of the laws or text seem repetitive, unnecessary, or boring, there is a reason it is included in the Holy scriptures. Instead of allowing the Bible to become monotonous when I read it, I should read with new eyes looking to experience God and His word, remembering that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
Highlighting large sections of Text
Sometimes there is a whole section of text that I want to draw attention to. Although it is possible to do this with the colored pencils, I find that it is easier to use Mr. Pen highlighters to give it a clean look.
This particular passage in Deuteronomy 11 talks about the importance of the Word of God in each and every life. God’s word is not meant to be left closed until Sunday morning when you dust it off for a convenient 30 minute refresh during the sermon. Rather, it is to be such a part of daily life that you can talk about it with others when walking down a hallway or on lunch break. All of the Words of God are important treasures to be passed down and taught to our children.
Using embellishments in Bible journaling
Using stickers is a fun way to add contrast to Bible pages, especially if you are not the most artistic (I’m definitely not). There are so many places to find stickers to use. I got many of mine from hobby lobby, but amazon also has a large range of Bible journaling stickers that have verses, quotes, or pictures, that could be used in so many ways.
Adding sketches when you aren’t artistic
Sometimes a picture will come to mind when reading through my Bible. Because I am not artistic, I will google an example of whatever it is I want to include and place my phone underneath the Bible page so that I can trace it out. For this drawing, I searched for “baby’s hand in mom’s hand sketch” and found one that matched what I was thinking of. I simply traced it with a pencil and then used the micron pens to outline it.
Another fun way to add scrapbook paper to your Bible journal is by using Washi tape. This easily removable tape can be a fun option for adding more color/patterns to your page or for adding in notes that you want to move around.
Not every Bible journaling page will be a work of art
Not every page in your Bible journal needs to have fun embellishments or intricate details. There are many times when Bible journaling through Deuteronomy that I have a simple layout and only use my micron pens and crayola colored pencils. Not only does this keep Bible journaling inexpensive, but it allows me to take it anywhere.
Sometimes, there are a couple of notes and thoughts that go together for the same verse, but they are also separate. When this happens, I like to use a thin line between the boxes, but fill them in with the same color (bottom right corner, blue note).
I will use brackets to break up the text in order to make reading it easier the next time. In this case of various laws, I used brackets to identify the individual laws since they tend to get jumbled when reading.
Anytime the Biblical text repeats itself, it’s important to take notice. I like to group the same words together by using the same color to highlight them. In this case, I used Mr. Pen highlighters because there were so many “amens” and I thought it would give it the cleanest look.
Using stickers for Bible Journaling through Deuteronomy
I love using stickers while Bible journaling through Deuteronomy! sometimes, I’m able to find stickers with words that match what I’m reading, and other times I just use fun alphabet stickers (Here’s something similar).
I also like to make my own bubble lettering if I am writing a longer phrase and I’m not sure the stickers would fit. I simply use a pencil first and then follow up with a pen one I know it will look okay.
Over the next few pages, you can see another example of bracketing the text to help identify what is going on. In this song of Moses, I used Enduring Word Bible Commentary and followed his outline of the tex to help bring context to it.
Not every season of Bible journaling will look the same
Not every page of Deuteronomy is filled with detailed Bible journaling. And that’s okay. During the time that I was finishing up this book, I was very pregnant and struggling with some health issues. Although this prevented me from taking my usual notes, I realized God gives grace for every season and I would rather spend some amount of time consistently(ish) in His Word instead of waiting until I could get it “perfect.”
In this chapter of blessing for the tribes, I circled each tribe name to help distinguish them. But since I did not have the energy to take detailed notes, I left it at that. In the future I can go back in and add more to this page, wither using the same color system I used for the tribes in Leviticus, or by thinking up something new entirely.
Although not every page will be a work of art, Bible journaling allows you to get deeper in God’s word by reflecting on what it says and writing down various thoughts. It also creates a keepsake of your spiritual journey and a guide to help you read the passage again in the future.
My journey of Bible journaling through Deuteronomy is not perfect, but I value the time I spent in God’s Word, getting to know Him and His heart better.
I hope you enjoyed this look inside my Bible! If you would like more inspiration, check out my Deuteronomy Bible study, or one of the other Bible journaling posts!
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