Bible Journaling Archives

Embrace the Journey: Bible Journaling Through Exodus

Filed Under: Bible Journaling // October 1, 2024

This post is all about my journey of Bible journaling through the book of Exodus.

Here I share all of my best tips and tricks, showing you exactly what I did, with the hope of encouraging you to dig into your Bible to know God more.

My journey of Bible Journaling through Exodus is not perfect. I actually started journaling it years before I “finished” it, and you can see some of the add-ons in this post. There are also a few creative details that are not my favorite. But the point of Bible journaling is not to be perfectly aesthetic. Rather, the goal should always be to engage with the scripture so that you can know God more fully. I hope this post encourages you!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

The book of Exodus tells the story of how God rescued His people from Egypt. The miracles preformed here are spoken of and referenced throughout the rest of the Torah, and we can see how foundational this book is for the Israelites’ faith. Exodus also introduces the Law of God to His people through Moses, and we also witness the start of their sinful rebellion (although we’ll save even more complaining for the book of Leviticus).

Bible journaling through Exodus – Setting the scene

Sometimes, you may journal a page that ends up not being your favorite… That’s okay! This tip-in page that I did was one of my first, and I don’t love how it turned out. But I can always go back and redo it later if I choose to.

Some of my all-time favorite Bible journaling supplies include Micron Fine tip pens and Crayola colored pencils. They are both so versatile and inexpensive. On these pages, I simply highlighted some of the Characteristics on God that I saw in this passage.

I had originally filled out the margins a few years ago, but as I was re-reading through Exodus, there were so many more notes I wanted to take. I simply spread a fine line of glue on the edge of my scrapbook paper and then placed it in the spine and closed my Bible for a few minutes. This is one of my favorite ways to add more notes!

Related post: Best Scrapbook Paper for Bible Journaling

Bible journaling the 10 plagues in Exodus

For the 10 plagues, I wanted a way to show off the plagues and what number they were. I loved this idea that I saw on Pinterest of having bubble letters and filling them in with a representation of the plague. It makes such an easy reference to quickly find a specific plague.

I often enjoy adding stickers to my Bible journal. They can add a cute dimension and pop of color to brighten up any page.

One of the reasons I love micron pens is because you can get them in different colors. It was so easy for me to add tiny notes in My Bible journaling margins a few years after I had gone through Exodus because the colors match.

Related Post: How to Be Completely Devoted To God Alone

The symbolism of passover

I love the simplicity of this page with a simple drawing of a doorway. Often, if I am stuck on what to do in a Bible journal page, I will Pinterest or google the Chapter I am trying to journal to find some ideas.

Isn’t this drawing of baby Moana so cute? I thought it was a fun way to represent crossing the Red Sea. Here, I used some fun Washi tape to secure extra notes to the page.

Once again, Crayola colored pencils are perfect for Bible journaling!

Here is another example of adding extra notes while Bible Journaling through Exodus. I used some fun floral border stickers on the extra note to give it some more dimension and highlight a cross-reference verse.

I am not the best artist, as you can see here, but I try not to let that stop me from enjoying the creative process of Bible journaling.

Introduction to the laws

The law of God is soooo good and so perfect! I really wanted to take a deep dive and understand this chapter, so I added another tip-in page using Elmer’s glue pens because they help me apply a small line of glue on the edge of the page.

It turns out I needed even more room for notes than I thought, so I taped on another sheet of scrapbook paper. I highlighted the verses and outlined the box with the same color highlighter so I would know which box went with each verse, then I used gold foil floral stickers for extra details.

The backside of the paper is blank, but I can also use it for more notes later!

Here, I used a sponge with some markers to try for a watercolor effect. This partially covered up the fact that the marker I used on the previous page had bled through.

Instructions for building the Tabernacle

When Exodus describes the tabernacle furnishings, I had a hard time comprehending what they were like, so I took some time to research them and then made little cut-outs with their importance and significance written on the back. I made a little pocket using scrapbook paper and glued it into the spine.

Since I already had this card describing the Tabernacle from Daily Grace, I decided to tape it in so I could reference it the next time I read Exodus.

Related Post: The Truth About the Dwelling Place of God

Here, I simply made some more drawings that would help me visualize the different layers of the tabernacle coverings and their significance.

Bible Journaling the Priestly Garments in Exodus

In order to help me visualize the Priestly Garments, I printed out a coloring page and put the little priest together. Each layer of his clothes goes on him separately so I can easily see the careful detail of the garments.

There were a few Hebrew words that I decided to look up on Blue Letter Bible, and I used a stencil that I thought would go well with this layout for extra interest.

Have I mentioned how much I love micron pens? They last forever and they allow me to take tiny notes.

I knew I was going to need more room for notes for chapter 32, so I glued white paper on top of scrapbook paper (making a floral border) and glued in a small section on the top so I can flip it up and expose more notes.

The glory of God revealed

Here is another favorite Bible journaling page in Exodus! I doubled the width of scrapbook paper that fits in my Bible so I could create a fold-out page.

This entire page looks at Exodus 34:6-7. I love these verses and how the show the glory of God.

On the backside of the scrapbook paper, I wrote down a verse that cross-referenced with the Glory of God.

In the last couple of chapters, I just took very simple notes, and I can go back and add more interest and details the next time I read through Exodus.

I love this quote about how to know if I am called to do the Lord’s work. One thing that I didn’t start doing until later in Bible journaling is writing down where a quote comes from. This is an extremely helpful practice for when you go back and look through your notes.

Sometimes, when you don’t have a lot of notes to add to your Bible, stickers can be a great way to finish your Bible page! They add a fun dimension and take up extra space.

I love how Exodus ends with the cloud of the Glory of the Lord covering the Tent of Meeting. This is such a great foreshadowing of John 1:14.

Reflect on the journey of Bible Journaling through Exodus

Bible Journaling is such an amazing way to grow deeper in your knowledge of the scripture, especially in a book like Exodus that had so much visual symbolism.

How are you going to journal through Exodus today?

This post was all about my journey of Bible Journaling through Exodus.

Embrace the Journey: Bible Journaling Through Genesis

Filed Under: Bible Journaling // August 13, 2024

This post is all about Bible Journaling through Genesis.

In it, I share my honest thoughts about what I read and the supplies I used.

Bible Journaling is a journey. It attempts to engage with the text more fully by contemplating what was read. The aim of Bible journaling is not to reach perfectionism, but relationship. After all, the reason we read our Bible and engage with the text is because we believe that God is real. We know that He loves us, and we acknowledge we can know Him more through His word.

Genesis Bible Journaling — Here is my journey of Bible journaling through Genesis.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

I have been Bible Journaling since I was 16. In the Beginning, I wanted everything to be perfect. And I let that drive for perfection keep me from engaging with the Word of God.

I forced myself to start from the very beginning of the Bible and not move on until I had completed a page. I knew I didn’t want to skip over scripture so that I could Journal the “aesthetic” passages. But that left me not wanting to journal at all because it wasn’t pretty enough for me.

Now I enjoy the messiness of Bible Journaling. I let it be a way to understand the Word of God better. In it, I write notes, draw pictures, and add paper and washi tape. I stamp my pages and highlight repeated phrases. I am not focused on my imperfections because I choose to focus on the perfection of Christ instead.

Although my my Bible Journaling through Genesis looks drastically different that other books of my Bible, I wanted to share it to give you inspiration for what you can do in your Bible and the courage for embracing imperfection.

Genesis Bible Journaling – Redemption is seen from the Beginning

You can tell from the very first page of my Bible that I am not a professional! But that is okay with me. I wanted to highlight the fact that God was in the beginning. And He created us in His image. From the start of creation, God had us in mind and He created us for a purpose.

One of my favorite things about reading the Bible as a whole is that God’s redemption for His people is seen from the beginning. You can read more about that Here.

I love my NIV Journal the Word Bible Journal. The 2″ margins on either side allow so much room for note-taking and drawing.

Walking Faithfully with God

I often look up “how to draw animals.” These little friends were drawn by step-by-step guides that I found. Or I’ll google something specific I want to include in my Bible. Then I’ll place my phone under the page and trace the design.

I have always used Crayola colored pencils in my Bible. They are so cheap and so durable! I’ve found that markers tend to bleed through, and crayons leave a waxy residue, but the colored pencils are perfect!

I honestly don’t use that many different supplies in my Bible Journaling through Genesis. Again, here you can see the Crayola colored pencils at work.

Micron Fine-tip pens are a favorite Bible Journaling tool for me! I love that they come in multiple colors and don’t bleed through my Bible pages that much.

The God who Sees

Once again, this page is mostly done with micron pens and crayola pencils. I love the simplicity of only needing a few supplies.

You can also see my notes between the text on this page. These notes were added a few years after I had first done the margins. As I was going through and reading Genesis again, I found more context and application notes that I wanted to add.

I love the rhetorical question posed here: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Sometimes when I want to highlight a particular verse, I use different lettering to make it stand out.

The Issue of sin

Using my micron pens, I connected some New Testament Passages that connected with what I was reading. I also used a regular old pencil to draw a salt shaker for the story of Sodom and Gomorrah being turned into a pillar of salt.

Sometimes when I want to find different lettering, I go onto Canva and scroll through their fonts. Then I just copy them into my Bible.

Genesis 23 seemed out of place when reading through the book again, so I added the note with a red micron pen years after the first journaling occurred. It says: “Abraham’s faith is expressed in his response to Sarah’s death.”

If you don’t want to take time to draw out and color letters, Stickers are also a great way to add dimension to your Bible Journal.

Inquiring of the Lord

I love that Rebekah went to inquire of the Lord. This spread helps me remember to go to God first.

Here, I used various sizes of micron pe ns to write out these notes. Although I would not typically write only one verse in the margin now, I enjoy the journey of learning the most effective way for me to Bible journal.

Once again, I’ve used a combination of micron pens and Crayola pencils on this page. Because I wanted to draw attention to a larger section of text, I chose to highlight it with pencils. The best part is, it doesn’t bleed through!

Bible Journaling through Genesis: A pillar to remember

My “gather stones” page was a combination of different inspiration I found while looking on Pinterest for ideas to journal about.

This quote on sin convicts me every time I read it. And this is one of the reasons that I love Bible journaling through different books such as I did here in Genesis. I have written down so many helpful notes that I can reference the next time I read that passage in the Bible!

I love connecting the dots between different sets of scripture. “Where can I go from your Spirit?” Is a theme throughout the entire Bible.

Character studies are a great thing to add to your Bible Journal

Joseph is such an amazing example of keeping the faith even in difficult circumstances. You can read more about how to Prais e God in the Storm, just like Joseph did.

Tamar is such an interesting character, and she is one of five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. I love the Francine Rivers series of the women, A Lineage of Grace.

I love the simplicity spoken of here: “I cannot do it, but God can.” How would our lives look different is we had this same surrender of control?

Adding extra notes to Genesis while Bible Journaling

This paper note was another addition years after my first attempt of Bible Journaling through Genesis. I simply applied a thin layer of Elmer’s glue to the edge of the paper and placed it in the spine of my Bible. After gluing it, I added this Cactus Washi tape for some fun details.

Since I was adding notes a few years after I drew the flower, I was so glad I had the same micron pens that I outlined the flower in. You can’t even tell these notes were added years later.

Once again, the small red and black notes between the lines of text were added years later! Can you tell I really love the fine-tip Micron pens?

I love the reminders throughout the Bible that we have evidence of God’s faithfulness wherever we look. Because of that, we can hold onto His promises, no matter how long they take to come because we know that He is always faithful.

For these flowers, I used some markers, and because of that there is bleed-through on the other side of the pages.

Although there was some bleed-though, I used the same color (this time with a pencil) to highlight a note I took a few years later. I think it helped blend in the accidental bleed-though a little.

Since I had so much room with the last page of Genesis in my Bible journal, I decided to write Genesis 50:20 down because I feel like it is a key verse. On the opposite side, you can see I glued in a page so I could write extra notes for exodus.

Final reflections on Bible Journaling through Genesis

Well, there you have it! A look into my Bible journaling Journey through Genesis. Although my style has changed so much over the last few years, I am glad that I started journaling when I did and just went for it.

I hope this post about Genesis Bible Journaling was inspiring to you! What is your favorite thing about Bible Journaling? Let me know in the comments below!

31 of the best scrapbook paper for Bible Journaling

Filed Under: Bible Journaling // July 2, 2024

This post is all about the best scrapbook paper for Bible Journaling.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Bible journaling is a great way to dig into God’s word and study it more fully. We know that the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and one of the best ways to keep it alive in our lives is to daily interact with it. Journaling and taking notes directly in your Bible has so many benefits. However, it can be easy to run out of room when Bible journaling, which is why adding scrapbook paper can be so useful.

Scrapbook paper Bible Journaling — It can be hard to find the perfect scrapbook paper for your Bible journaling needs. Here are a few of my favorites!

Bibles, Journals, and Scrapbooks

Before you get started with Bible journaling, you first need a Bible or journal. I have been using my NIV Journal the word Bible for years, and it has held up so well! I love that the pages have a little thickness to them and I can use my m icron fine-tip pens without any bleed-through.

This ESV interleaved Bible features a full blank page between every page of text, allowing you the most room for adding notes, and is also a great option for any artistic Bible journaler. This Bible is perfect if you are looking for an easy way to get scrappy with your daily devos.

There is also the NIV Illustrating Bible with extra-wide margins all around (I’m talking almost 4″ as opposed to the regular 2″ of journaling Bibles). This Bible is a little on the larger size though, so you might want to be aware of that.

If you are not quite sold on Bible journaling yet, you might want to consider these single-book journals, such as this Romans Interleaved Bible Journal. This would be a perfect option for anyone exploring the benefits of Bible journaling or even doing a group Bible study on any book of the Bible.

Other options for Bible Journaling

If you are not ready to commit to writing in your Bible yet, that’s okay! There are still some great options for getting crafty with God’s word (in a good way).

These slim notebooks with gold flowers would be a great start to journaling, you could use them to simply record notes about what you are reading, or you could add scrapbook paper and make them crafty.

This Clever Fox Bible study journal could be a perfect tool for anyone wanting a more structured Bible study time. It features a Bible tracker to watch the progress of the books you’ve read, character study pages for those important people you read about, and a space for Bible study notes and reflection.

Another great option for the very crafty people is using a scrapbook for Bible journaling. This is a great way to embrace your creativity and study God’s word at the same time. This brown paper scrapbook album would be so cute to cover in fun papers, stickers, stamps, and ribbons, using your favorite Bible Journaling supplies as you scrapbook God’s word and what He’s teaching you.

This 3-ring binder scrapbook has clear page protectors, allowing you to add as many pages as you want as well as using any paper you want.

The benefits of Bible journaling and why scrapbook paper is so useful

Bible journaling has so many benefits to it, and can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. You can do Bible journaling with just a pen or pencil and your Bible, or you can add lots of scrapbook paper and stickers and washi tapes. It really is up to you how you want to interact with God’s word.

One of the benefits of Bible Journaling is that the more you interact with the text by writing down what you are learning, the more you will remember later on. Not only are you interacting with the text by researching the context and finding applications for your life, but you are also engaging with it as you figure out what to write down. You are using so many different parts of your brain that the information will stick more than if you had just read it

Another benefit of Bible journaling is that any notes you write down in your Bible will be right there the next time you read that passage! Instead of using a random journal that you’ll never read again, all of your time and hard work will be there to serve you and remind you of what you’ve already read.

Biblical themed Scrapbook paper for Bible Journaling

Sometimes you just want to find scrapbook paper for your journaling Bible that matches the story you are reading. This Noah’s Ark scrapbook paper kit has amazing prints and would be perfect for multiple layouts. If you are doing a page on Daniel and the Lions Den, or David and Goliath then you are going to need this paper. These kits are awesome because they also come with stickers that match the scrapbook paper.

This Christian vintage scrapbook paper includes stained glass windows, vintage church scenes, and floral crosses. If you are looking for beautiful outdoor scenes with light peaking through the clouds, this Devoted Faith collection is perfect.

For background scrapbook paper, the Gospel Hymns vintage music sheets would make a great layout.

Floral Scrapbook Paper for Bible Journaling

My favorite floral pack has got to be this Vintage Botanic scrapbook set with its bright cheery colors and beautiful patterns. This Boho floral pack is giving all vintage 70’s vibes with its copper orange and teal green colors. This Boho Sunshine also gives 70’s vibes mixed with happy summers and sunshine.

bible journaling ideas — I love these scrapbook paper sets for using in your Bible journal!

This shabby rose scrapbook set features baby pink colors throughout, with some light blues thrown in. With roses on every page, it’s almost irresistible. This Garden of Promises scrapbook set also features roses, but does so in a timeless vintage sort of way.

If pink is not your color, but the thought of delicate blue hydrangeas makes you swoon, this light blue hydrangea patterned paper is what you need. Big hydrangea clusters, subtle tiny flowers, and light blue stripes. Elegant and attractive says it all about this set.

When floral meets gardening, this blue double-sided flower scrapbook paper is what you want. Its vintage blue trucks hold bouquets of flowers, it has classy navy blue pages with light blue and white floral arrangements, and it even has some plaid, stripped, and wooden looking pages.

If you are looking for a more subtle floral, this vintage 6×6 scrapbook pad may be just what you want. It features delicate floral and lace details on an oil-painted background. It would be a stunning addition to your Bible journal.

Nature-inspired scrapbook paper for Bible Journaling

Sometimes you just need a good sheet of serene nature in your Bible journal. In that case, this Photo-shoot scrapbook collection with its pages of waterfalls, poppy fields, bridges, and brick walls might be up your alley. If you are looking for more of a farm vibe, then I’ve got you covered with wheat and corn fields, barns, hay, and tractors with this At the Farm Scrapbook collection.

This light green eucalyptus leaves scrapbook set features delicate and attractive, simple patters of eucalyptus leaves that leave you wanting more.

Who doesn’t love a good mushroom-inspired paper set? This Mushroom pattern paper features 12 different designs all in muted and yet bright tones.

Special occasions Scrapbook paper for Bible Journaling

This Let’s Go Camping scrapbook paper would be perfect for any Bible journaling when the Israelites are wandering through the wilderness. If there is any passage talking about marriage (heelo, pauline epistles), then this wedding day collection kit would serve you well. There are so many Biblical passages that talk about honey and it’s symbolism, and this Bee Happy paper would make a welcome addition to and Bible journaling page on the subject.

The great commission In Matthew 28 is a great passage that you could really get creative when doing a Bible journaling page. This Away we Go scrapbook paper kit features hot air balloons, cute campers and trucks, luggage, and globes, making it the perfect set for this Bible Journaling layout.

Anything having to do with Jesus’ Birth, or even Old Testament prophecies about the coming messiah, could be done with this Oh Holy Night scrapbook kit.

Aesthetic scrapbook paper

If you are looking for a more neutral pattern to carry throughout your Bible, this Boho Scrapbook set with light browns, pinks, and blues might be for you. Or here is another boho scrapbook set with similar colors but smaller patterns (not to mention the cure line hearts that go across two of the designs). Here is a neutral boho scrapbook set with delicate designs of hearts, gots, stripes, and rainbows.

If you want a cross between neutral, watercolor, vintage, and floral, this watercolor floral scrapbook pack is perfect. This Burlap and lace is the perfect set if you want a neutral and subtle yet feminine pack.

Application scrapbook paper for Bible journaling

Sometimes there isn’t a particular theme that you are journaling about, but rather application point from eh text to your own life. In this case, using the same themed scrapbook paper throughout your Bible is a great way to easily identify the big application passages for you. This Our Story Matters scrapbook kit features beautiful florals as well as butterflies, typewriters, and hot air baloons, and is a cheery background to any page you want to do.

If you are as obsessed with coffee as I am, then you need to see this Coffee-Themed scrapbook paper set. I would love to use this throughout my Bible with its fun coffeehouse vibes.

This Black and Ivory set is quite literally black and ivory colored. It features cute prints that include mushrooms, flowers, leaves, and rainbows.

Other supplies for Bible journaling with scrapbook paper

If you are using scrapbook paper in your journal Bible, chances are, you’ll need some way to make it stick! I personally just use regular old scotch tape to adhere paper on the end of my Bible’s pages. The problem with this, I’ve heard, is that it may cause the pages to break down further, but I haven’t had any issues with that yet. Many people choose to use paper tape instead.

I also use Elmers glue pens whenever I want to add scrapbook paper to my Bible’s binding. I simply layer the edge of the scrapbook paper with a light layer of glue (and let it dry a tiny bit) before inserting it into the Bible crease. Then I close my Bible and press firmly for a couple seconds. I typically open my Bible back up and run my finger along the page to make sure there isn’t any excess glue.

This post was all about the best scrapbook paper and ideas for you to use in your journaling Bible!

27 of the best Bible journaling supplies for your quiet time

Filed Under: Bible Journaling // March 26, 2024

This post is all about the best Bible journaling supplies for anyone looking to amp up their daily quiet time.

If you like the idea of Bible journaling, but aren’t sure where to start, or if you are just looking for some more Bible journaling tips and tricks, then these are the supplies for you! These are my favorite, tested and tried, Bible journaling supplies with ideas of how to use them!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

The Best Bible for your journaling supplies

The first thing you will need for your journaling supplies is a good journaling Bible. Of course, you can use any Bible to journal in, but if you want to get the best experience and have the most room for taking notes, a journaling Bible is the way to go.

This NIV Journal the Word Bible is the Bible I used daily. I’ve had it for over 6 years, and it’s still going strong. Another similar option is a beautiful clothbound journaling Bible.

Here is a cool New Testament pocket bible that is meant for journaling. This would be perfect for anyone who travels a lot.

This Illustrating Bible is amazing with 4-inch margins instead of the regular 2-inch ones in most journaling bibles.

This Bible comes with the filament app to help you understand what you are reading.

Bible journaling for beginners — A journaling bible is perfect for taking notes because it has 2 inch columns on the edge of the page

Notebooks for Bible journaling supplies

If you don’t want to write in your Bible, or you just want extra dedicated space for writing down your Bible study notes, then a journal is right for you! I love Moleskin notebooks for all kinds of note-taking. I’ve also used a few of these journals with verses for daily writing.

Journals are perfect if you want to do word studies or verse mapping. They can also be a great way to pray: if you have trouble concentrating, just write down your prayers to God! You can also get artistic in your journals, using the same supplies you do in your Bible!

If you are looking for a notebook that teaches you different techniques for Bible journaling, then this workbook guide to Bible journaling might be for you! It comes with so many different ideas and supplies to get your creative juices flowing.

Pens and Pencils

When it comes to the supplies I use the most, mechanical pencils are at the top of the list. They are perfect for tracing out a design before you commit to it in pen, or writing down questions you have in your Bible.

Micron fine tip 005 pens are my favorite when it comes to taking a lot of detailed notes in my bible. I have been using them since I started Bible journaling and have not found pens that are better quality.

Crayola colored pencils are my go-to when it comes to Bible journaling supplies. They are so versatile and cheap!

Mr. Pen highlighters are super popular right now and for very good reason! They have so many colors to choose from, and the bleed-through is minimal. I also love using Crayola colors of the world pens for highlighting as they have nice aesthetic earthy tones.

Stickers and stamps

These Agenda 52 faith stickers are my go-to supply for adding extra interest in my bible journal! I love the rose-gold foil flowers!

stickers for Bible journaling — I love using these rosegold foil stickers to add some depth to my Bible journal!

Stickers can be some of the best supplies for tying your Bible journaling page together. These illustrated faith stickers have beautiful muted tones and have great Bible verses and Christian sayings on them.

Alphabet stickers are amazing if you want to point out a certain theme in a chapter or highlight specific words. These tiny gold foil stickers would add so much interest to a Bible journal layout!

Stamps are also a great tool for Bible journaling. I love that these Alphabet stamps allow me to use any combination of letters without worrying that I am going to run out.

Paper

Using scrapbook paper is the easiest way to add more note-taking room to your bible journaling time, which is why it is in my top supplies. Hobby lobby and JoAnn have a great selection of individual paper, or there are also amazing scrapbook paper books that you can get. Here is a beautiful floral-themed paper pack, or this 6×8-inch gold foil paper pack would be perfect for adding whole pages into your Bible without having to cut them down to size.

Sticky notes are also a great way to add a quick note to your Bible journal, especially if you are on the go at church or a coffee shop. Mr. Pen has some fun circle-shaped transparent sticky notes, as well as assorted-sized square ones.

Other Bible journaling supplies

If you are anything like me, you will make your fair share of mistakes while Bible journaling. I love using these white-out pens because they allow me to dab out just a single wrong letter so I can change it.

Of course, if you are adding pages to your Bible for journaling, some of the best supplies are these Elmers-craft glue pens. I love that I can apply a fine line of glue to the edge of a page before adding it to my Bible.

I also love using Washi tape to add extra pages in my Bible, or to just give my page some more interest. This set of 21 rolls from Mr. Pen has a variety of sizes and designs that could be used for so many different Bible journaling layouts.

stamps for journaling — Stamps are a great supplies for adding different fonts to your Bible journaling layout.

Mod Podge is a classic when it comes to Bible journaling supplies. It has so many uses, like gluing and sealing in wildflowers so they will be preserved.

Although I picked and pressed these wildflowers from one of my hikes with my husband, there are so many wildflowers to choose from.

What are your favorite Bible journaling supplies?

Are there Bible journaling supplies you use regularly that I haven’t mentioned? Let me know in the comments below!

This post was all about my favorite Bible journaling supplies and how to use them.

Bible Journaling for beginners: Everything you need to know to get started

Filed Under: Bible Journaling // November 28, 2023

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!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

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.

Aesthetic biblle journaling — Using just two or three colors can make a cute Bible journaling aesthetic.

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.

how to journal in your Bible — Get creative in how you journal! Mix notes with unique handwriting.

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!

pen only bible journaling — You don’t need a lot to start bible journaling – a pen will do just fine!

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 tap e 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.

Stamps and st ickers are also a great way to add contrast and designs when making a page.

If you need more room – adding pages to your bible journal is a great way to continue writing notes {these notes were added two years after the first set).

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?

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.

Pressed flowers Bible journaling — You can use pretty much anything in Bible journaling – including pressed flowers!

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!