9 Easy and Simple Bible Journaling Ideas

Perhaps you are interested in Bible journaling, but you don’t feel artistic or creative. My friend, Kimberly, is here to share some wonderful Bible journaling ideas that should serve well to get you started in Bible journaling.  

What if I told you that not only do I believe we are all created to create, but that my belief is biblical? What if I told you that the Bible says this very thing?

Inheriting His Creativity

Often times people mix-up the word creative with the word artistic. There are many who mistakenly think these words are interchangeable. I’m here to explain how that simply isn’t true and how this very well may change your idea of what creativity is.

CREATIVE: resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative

ARTISTIC: showing skill or excellence in execution

Looking at the definitions Dictionary.com provides, creativity involves thoughts, expressions, and imagination. While being artistic clearly requires skill or to be good (excellence) at something.

When I say that we are creative, it does not mean we have to have a specific skill set. Creativity can include painting and art, but it also can include writing poetry, making new recipes, planning parties, and a slew of other things. See the difference?

In the beginning God created…” ~Genesis 1:1a NIV

Right there, in the first five words of the Bible, it clearly states that the Lord is creative. Imagine how much creativity it took to speak every thing into existence.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” ~Genesis 1:27 NIV

Look at that! We don’t even need to read past the first chapter of the Bible and we already know that God is creative AND He designed us in his own image. What that tells me is we, too, are creative by design.

Now that we have some clarity on the creativity the Lord has blessed each of us with, let’s talk about how we can use it to worship God and learn His Word, specifically with these Bible journaling ideas.

Stick Figures (and Other Things I Can’t Draw)

As I mentioned before, there are no special talents or skills needed to begin your Bible journaling journey. The main ingredients for a successful creative worship session is you, a pen or pencil, and something to write on (whether it’s a journaling Bible or a notebook). Everything else depends on your own personal relationship with the Lord and how you want to express it.

Bible journaling is a unique way to worship and learn more about God’s Word. With that said, there are a myriad of different Bible journaling techniques, methods, and Bible journaling processes to suit each individual with their own likes and comfort level.

If I’m being honest, there are times I’ve heard things like, “I’m not comfortable covering the Word” or “I can’t even draw stick people.” And that’s one of the things I love most about Bible journaling. There is a way for everyone to join in and you never have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable or that you don’t love.

Bible journaling and other types of creative worship are meant to help people get excited about the Word again. You can’t be excited if you’re questioning what you’re doing. So let’s discuss ways you can Bible journal that will benefit your own personal faith walk.

9 Easy and Simple Bible Journaling Ideas

Location, Location, Location!

The first five Bible journaling design ideas are based on where you prefer to do your journaling. If you’re working in a journaling Bible, you have a few different options to choose from.

1.) In The Margin ONLY – This location will allow you to create with color, stickers, die-cuts and more, and you’ll never cover any part of the Word (if that is your preference). So if your desire is to use your journaling Bible as your study Bible as well, this journaling idea would be great.

2.) Transparent On Text – With this design idea you can also work in the margins of your Bible, but this gives you a little more surface to work with by allowing transparent paint, like watercolors, colored pencils or highlighters over the text. Of course, this way you would still be able to read the words.

{Be sure to check out our Bible color coding guide for tips on highlighting and choosing colors to use.}

3.) ALL Over – This concept can be quite foreign to those new to Bible journaling. However, those who choose to use their journaling Bibles like an art journal or a prayer journal generally have an additional Bible they study from.

NOTE: We are not here to judge or criticize another person’s worship or study methods. Creative worship is about relationship. And it is not up to us to condemn someone for the way they love the Lord and how they express that love.

If you simply can’t wrap your head around writing in your Bible, there are still other ways you can do this.

4.) In An Art Journal, Hymnal Or Notebook – I have journaled in three-ring binders, a composition notebook, a spiral notebook I picked up at the dollar store, hymnals and even on canvas that I buy on sale from the local craft store. There is no hard and fast rule that says you must journal on the pages of your Bible.

The How And What Of Journaling

I’d like to share with you some Bible journaling ideas – how and what you can journal. These aren’t your mother’s or grandmother’s journals. Journaling has grown so much in just the last ten years alone.

5.) Prayers – One great way to Bible journal is to write down your prayers or even make a prayer list.

{If you aren’t sure where to start, why not start with praying God’s promises back to Him, through your journaling.} 

6.) Scripture Writing – If you are studying a verse or are simply trying to memorize it, creatively writing it in the margins, on a tag or in a traveler’s notebook help with that process.

7.) Bible Study or Sermon Notes – No one said our notes had to boring. Who wants to study notes that scream BLAH? How much more enjoyable would it be to read about Jericho if the notes were in color, utilized some stickers, and maybe included a map of Jericho itself? Just sayin’ – this might be a great resource to add to your Bible journaling ideas.

8.) Lyrics – Having been a writer most of my life, words really speak to me. There are times I hear a worship song that says all the things I’ve wanted to say. Add those song lyrics to the margin or in a notebook, so you can go back and sing (or read if you must) that song to the Lord.

9.) Just Art – Obviously, this list could go on and on, but the title says nine ways to Bible journal, so nine it is. There are so many different ideas to make Bible journaling your own. But it would not be complete without including art. I’m sure you’ve heard people say they are visual or they’re visual learners. I’m one that actually learns much better if there are visual elements to the instruction. Also, Bible journaling is about learning, but it’s also about worshiping. Art is a special form of worship and deserves a place on this list.

 

Finishing Touch…

Our creativity comes from the Lord. Just like no one can define your relationship with the Father but you, there are no right or wrong ways to Bible journal. This is 100% personal and only you know what will help you learn and grow, and in what ways you want to worship our God.

Take your time trying some of the Bible journaling ideas above. Decide which mediums Bible journaling processes, or Bible journaling techniques you’re comfortable with. Then choose what works best for you and your journey. The Bible clearly states, we were created to create. It is up to you to decide what that creativity looks like. 

Ready to jump in to Bible journaling? Be sure to take a look at these other resources: 
5 Steps to Bible Journaling for Beginners 
Ultimate Bible Journaling Glossary 

Kimberly is the owner of the blog www.hispalette.com where she writes about many different forms of creative worship. Learning to Bible journal is a large portion of her blog, but she also shares about faith art, prayer and scripture journaling, special faith-based projects, faith planning and more. She includes tutorials, techniques, and truth. Plus, she’s creating new Bible studies that include a creative aspect, called study starts. As a creative Christian, or as she likes to refer to herself, a Jesus freak with a journaling Bible, she regularly tries to find new ways to glorify God, to share His Word, and to nurture her relationship with Him. Out of this love and creativity His Palette was born. You can connect with Kimberly on her social media: Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.