AliWide margins aren’t just for your schedule – they’re a must for your Bible. Engage with God’s Word by using these easy Bible journaling tips, and make devotional time more memorable.
WHAT IS BIBLE JOURNALING?
Did you know that the process of writing helps with memory retention? Hurray for getting God’s Word even deeper into your heart and mind — through the creative joy of Bible journaling!
Before even gathering supplies, ask yourself why you want to try out Bible journaling. I hope your ultimate goal is to grow closer to God. This is the main reason for reading God’s Word. Then, let things explode with color, words, and doodles in the margins. 🙂
Here’s a great verse to gain perspective. I love to personalize Scripture, so here’s Psalm 1:1-3 written to you:
Blessed are you who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But your delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His Law you meditate day and night. You will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that you do, you prosper [and grow to maturity].”
Simply put, Bible journaling is creative interaction with Scripture. It makes sense that, since we’re all uniquely and wonderfully made, the process will be different for everyone. You can keep it basic (as I prefer), or add detail and layers with crafting ideas.
BIBLE JOURNALING TIPS — BEGIN WITH PRAYER
So! What’s first?
Pray!
Ask God to draw you deeper into relationship with Him, as you explore His Word at a slower pace – using colored pens and highlighters.
Remember, the purpose behind adding color and writing in the Good Book’s margins is: to make the verses more memorable and meaningful. Connection with the Living Word (Jesus) is your goal. And what a delight to engage your creative soul in the process!
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR BIBLE JOURNALING? — THE BASICS
Every person’s approach to Bible journaling is different. Therefore, don’t put rules on yourself or overextend your budget.
All you really need is:
1. A Bible with wide margins and pages that can handle a little ink.
There are many different options available on Amazon or at your local Christian Bookstore. I picked the Thomas Nelson NKJV Journal the Word Bible with Large Print because there’s lots of space to write. It’s hefty and the print size adds to the roomy-ness. Please note that the pages aren’t super thick, so they won’t hold up to heavy crafting supplies like gesso and glue. Again, this article is about using simple supplies. I love, love, LOVE these highlighters …
2. An assortment of highlighters with Mild Ink that won’t bleed through.
In my humble opinion, Zebra makes the best highlighters for effective and easy Bible journaling. They boast the following qualities:
- Mild Ink (no bleed through)
- Bold and Fine Tips in the same pen, and
- a multitude of colors!
My favorite starter bunch of highlighter pens is the Zebra Pen Mildliner Dual-Tip Highlighter Set, Gentle Color Palette (5 count).
3. A few colored pens that write softly and evenly.
Again – Zebra, is my favorite! I love this brand. This Gel Ballpoint Pen Set comes in an array of t10 happy colors. The ink flow is reliable, which is super important. Nothing is more irritating that a gel pen that skips. Plus, they don’t seep through the pages.
My friends, that’s it for supplies!
Simplicity is key.
At least I find that’s true for me. I get overwhelmed easily, and if Bible journaling is too complicated, I won’t do it. If you want to add stickers and other artsy flourishes, my preference is thicker paper and fewer words (see my article on The Joy of Color Journaling).
BIBLE JOURNALING TIPS — READING THE TEXT
After taking a few minutes to slow down your brain, invite Jesus to reveal things while you’re reading.
If you’re new to Bible reading, I suggest beginning in the Gospel of John (in the New Testament). Do so with a meditative attitude.
Pause regularly. Take things a few chapters at a time. Then go back and re-read.
Notice how context informs the meaning of Scripture. If you have time to simply read the entire Gospel of John quickly at one sitting, do it! Then as you go back and take it slowly, you’ll grasp where things fit into the big picture.
BIBLE JOURNALING TIPS — ENGAGING THE TEXT
Now it’s time for the super-fun part!
Using Your Zebra Mildliner Highlighters
As you read, receptive to God’s gentle whisper, pull out those highlighters and illuminate the words or phrases that touch your heart.
There’s no set protocol for applying highlighter colors. I know some people use a very disciplined approach, with each color relating to a different concept. Personally I find that too confining. I like to just touch the words that I want to memorize or ponder.
An artsy tip: Highlight first, then go in for the finer wording, circling, and imaging with the gel pen. This will prevent any gel smudging.
Using Your Zebra Gel Pens
If a word or phrase is repeated, you know it must be extra important. It’s finally time to punch your gel pen’s plunger and start interacting with the text. There are no rules! Pick colors at your whim.
Bible Journaling Tips — Go Deeper!
I like to circle (or star, or bubble, or heart) meaningful words and fill my Bible margins with:
- what this word means, or
- how other Bible translations expand on this word / phrase, or
- draw a doodle of my heart reaction, or
- put a question mark if I don’t understand, or
- use Blue Letter Bible to find other places where Scripture mentions this phrase.
That last point is huge for me.
Remember – the Bible is written with One Voice. It is Divinely inspired. Scripture illuminates Scripture, layer upon layer.
This is what I find most enriching – going on a treasure hunt through God’s Word to write companion verses in the margins in pretty colors.
But how? By using the Blue Letter Bible website (they also have an app). It’s a godsend. And, it’s totally free!
MY FAVORITE BIBLE JOURNALING RESOURCE — BLUE LETTER BIBLE
Let’s visit the Gospel of John right now on the BLB link (above). Continue with these steps:
- under Search the Bible (top right), type John.
- click the drop down menu (default is set to KJV), and change it to ESV (or any other translation you prefer). I also like the NKJV or the NIV.
- click the green magnifying glass, and the site takes you to the Gospel of John.
Now that you’ve arrived at John:
- scroll to find the verse you want more info on and click it. Let’s try John 1:14.
- to the left of the verse you’ll see the word Tools. Place your mouse arrow on Tools and a drop-down menu appears. This is exactly where you want to be. The good stuff is a moment away …
Exploring Tools Using Blue Letter Bible
Choose from the following in the Tools menu, and explore John 1:14. Your options are:
- Interlinear. Scroll down to see each word and its meaning in the Greek! It’s amazing!
- Bibles. Here you’ll find all the available translations of the very same Bible verse you’ve been reading.
This is where I love to use a gel pen and write in the margins of my leather Bible – how John 1:14 is translated in other versions. This adds layers to the meaning and can deepen your Bible journaling experience.
- Cross-References. And more layers! This tab opens the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge where you’ll find related verses throughout the entire Bible.
- Commentaries and Dictionaries are also found in Tools. I prefer to Bible journal using only Scripture, so I skip the commentaries.
FINAL WORDS ON EASY BIBLE JOURNALING TIPS
Most importantly, have fun!
Be free.
Remember to pray first for the leading of God’s Spirit.
Don’t aim for a masterpiece in the margins. You are His masterpiece.
As you pray, read, research, write, color, question and doodle, Jesus is shaping you and ministering to your heart. He is renewing your mind and enlightening your spirit.
Enjoy!
As always I love your comments. I invite you to leave one below. — Ali 🙂