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What is Bible Journaling and Why Should you Try it?

Writer's picture: Danielle CunninghamDanielle Cunningham

I've discussed why I journal and plan in previous posts, but a type of journaling that I haven't shared about before is something I do called Bible Journaling. If you are in the habit of Bible reading and want to take your studying up a notch, or even if you currently don't study at all but would like to start a study habit, I would recommend Bible journaling.


What is Bible Journaling?

Bible Journaling is where you take notes as you study your bible, by illustrating or lettering verses, doodling images, then writing down your thoughts, questions, and what you are learning. There are a number of Bibles on the market made specifically with wide margins on paper for creating artwork so that you can write or draw directly in your bible, such as this Journal the Word KJV. I however prefer to keep my notes in a designated notebook instead. I'm in my fifth or sixth since starting the practice around six or seven years ago. You can be as creative or streamlined as you like, so anyone can bible journal.


Two Bible Journals, they read, "Pray without Ceasing" and "Seek and Ye Shall Find"

Why Bible Journal?

Studies have shown that an excellent way to increase recall and improve your studies is to write down what you are learning. This works for all styles of learners, visually you see what you are writing, kinesthetically you carry out the action of writing, and auditorily you hear in your mind or aloud what you are writing. By doing this you create more vibrant neural pathways in your brain, improving the likelihood that you actually learn what you are studying, and then retain the information.


Bible Journaling is a creative way to study your bible. Studying isn't fun for everyone, but we have something really worth while to study - our Bible. One way to help encourage you to study is to remember that it is a love letter from our Savior, and through reading and studying we better understand Him and what He's done. One way that I find Bible Journaling makes for good study is because as I've mentioned before if it is pretty and creative I find myself wanting to use it more and more. I have encouraging verses lettered that I can flip through on days I'm discouraged. I have carefully taken notes that lead me to mediate more on the things of God off and on throughout my day. And I find the little creative touches in my journaling both increase my retention of information and keep me continuing on my studies.


What are the methods to Bible Journaling?

There are as many ways to study the bible as there are people reading it. So as you might guess there are many options when getting started with Bible journaling. Some people solely letter verses, copying down the verse in fancy script or writing verses on their minds and hearts with colorful pens. Others read commentaries or bible study books and take notes from what they read and understand. Listening to sermons and discussions then making comments in their note books is yet another way to study and Bible journal. Some people enjoy digging into the meaning of a single verse at a time through verse mapping. There is even prayer journaling. Then there are those like me who like mixing all the above up in my studies.


Lettered a line from "Come Thou Fount," reads tune my heart to sing thy praise.

Lettering or Illustrating Verses

This is where many people start with Bible Journaling. They turn to a verse in their Bible and either in their journaling Bible or notebook they recopy the verse. The key to this method of studying is to read and re-read the verse several times and ask yourself what is the main message of the verse, what are the keys to understanding the thought. Then you might color code those key words, or you might write the important phrases larger than the rest of the verse. You might even add doodles, to illustrate the thoughts of the verse. For example I have lettered Matthew 10:31, "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" and drawn a sparrow under the verse. I have also lettered lines from hymns such as the image below from "Come Thy Fount" and changed from cursive to print or changed the size of the words to put emphasis on different thoughts. Some times I use fancy fonts and sometimes I just write in my regular handwriting. If you try this don't be daunted by any perceived lack of creativity, it's just a way to make verses stand out in your mind, by the practice of both copying them, and finding ways to emphasis meaning in your writing style.


Bible Study notes from a recent sermon.

Notetaking with Aids

Another method that lots of Christians use for their bible study is to read a commentary, book, or bible study and as they go make notes, answer questions posed, and record their own questions. I word of warning with this method, really be cautious with who's materials you are reading and remind yourself that they are fallible. I enjoy reading other's studies on particular topics, I have half of a book case dedicated to such works mostly by other Primitive Baptist. But, even the most devote men are still men, so I always try to take what they present with a grain of salt and look to see if the scriptures they cite bear out what they are trying to teach.


When studying this way, I like to take notes in an outline form, typically, but sometimes just write a paragraph or two summarizing what I've learned. I may go back and underline points for emphasis, or highlight different concepts in different colors. Sometimes I even take a post it note and add further information on a side point to that to divide up my notes. Again this is about what helps you to read and learn and then retain the information, not about how pretty you can make it. I like to color code and outline because it helps me to visualize things in my mind, but that might just be extra work for you because that's not how you learn. I'm currently reading Revelation: Images of Redemptive History by Elder Joe Holder, and have recently started Thoughts of Divine Providence by Elder Hosea Preslar. I typically read a chapter or section, look up and read the verses mentioned, and then prayerfully start recording my thoughts and summarizing what I've learned. Sometimes if I disagree with the author's conclusion I might even argue against it in my notes.


Bible Study notes from a recent sermon.

Sermon Notes

Similar in form to note taking from commentaries or other books on Biblical subjects, is note taking from sermons. With the abundance of Churches recording and broadcasting Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services I can listen to a sermon each night and take notes much like I do on Sunday mornings (when the twins behave so that I can). I have been listening to Elder David Crawford's Wednesday night series on Revelation and the End times on the Macclenny Facebook page for over 3 years now. I also like to tune in to Old Baptist Weekly when I can get on live and listen to the sermon and then the hardshelling session afterward. When on live you can even leave comments and questions that they might answer or address. Another favorite way to use this method is to get online and listen to sermons from special meetings that we were unable to attend, such as the Camp Meeting or the Rich Mountain Association.


When I take sermon notes I typically write as fast as possible, and messily as well. The one advantage to listening to Bro. David's sermons after they air, is that I can pause them if the kids need something, or I can rewind to hear again something I didn't quite grasp the first time around. However, after I have listened and made my scribbled notes, I then recopy them from loose paper, to my bible journal or in the case of sermon's I heard in person, into my sermon notebook. However, when I add them to my bible journal and study more deeply on a topic, I tend to again add highlighting, underlining, I color code with different colored pens, or use post it notes to divide up topics. Sometimes I even relisten to Sunday's sermons and go through this process.


Again just like with commentaries and books, preachers are men and even in the pulpit they aren't infallible. So I choose sermons to listen to with care, and prayerfully consider what they are teaching. I find so long as I choose men known to study and attend carefully to the word of God that the Lord is more likely to bless their efforts and I don't have to weed through what is scriptural teaching and what is not.


Verse mapping II Peter 3:10-13

Verse Mapping

Verse mapping is probably my favorite way to study lately, though it is also the most time consuming. This is where you take a single verse, or occasionally a couple of verses to make up a complete thought and study it out by looking at it's context, historical setting, word meaning and translation, as well as the cross references for it in order to really understand what the writer was saying, what God wanted us to get out of the verse. It is almost a form of research rather than summarizing.


First you must choose a verse. Maybe it's a verse from a recent sermon, the other day I studied out II Peter 3:10-13, because Bro. David has been quoting it a lot in the current series. Maybe you chose a verse that's been on your mind alot lately, something that deals with a problem you have in life or addresses the stage of life you are in. However, you chose, that's the first step. I always then go and read the verse along with several before and after to get the entire thought under consideration.


You then begin by copying the verse down. No need to be fancy like with verse lettering, you just copy it down so that you can read what you wrote. You then go through and with colored pens or highlighters and mark phrases or words that stick out to you. These are the parts of the verse that we want to dig into more thoroughly. You do this so that when you begin note taking on each particular phrase or section that you can use the same color to be able to quickly find and reference your notes. This key word study is then carried out by looking up words in Strong's Concordance, Webster's 1828 dictionary, a good lexicon, or Zondervan's Pictorial Bible Dictionary. The goal is to see connections and more detailed definitions that you did before. For example, you might learn that "conversation" in the Bible means more than just the words we exchange but our conduct and behavior, our manner of life.


As I go through the verse, doing my key word study, I like to look at the cross references. Many resources encourage you to look at multiple translations, but as I believe the KJV to be the best English translation of the Bible available today, and find most other translations to be from shoddy workmanship or corrupt texts that isn't a step that I use. What I do use is my center column reference and I also note other verses that come to mind that are teaching the same thing. By looking at multiple verses, we allow scripture to interpret scripture and can see parallels between verses.


The next to last step for some, or the first step for others, is to look at the historical context of the verse. For example, Revelation was written to the suffering Church in the first century, and it was relevant to them, so any understanding of the book can't be right in light of ideas that were first introduced in the 1880s, so dispensationalism as it is taught today can't adequately explain the book of Revelation. For another example, the book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers, so they would have had great understanding of the law and the prophets and so you see many tie-ins to the Old Testament throughout the book. Many like doing this step first because it sets the stage for your study. I sometimes like to do it last as a way to help check my interruption of scripture.


Finally is time for application. I summarize what I have learned keeping in mind the question what does this teach me about God. Any study should exalt God and abase man, otherwise we've gotten off track somewhere, all throughout scripture we are looking for what points us to Christ, whether that's types and shadows of Him in the Old Testament or bold declarations of him in the epistles of the New Testament. The question we should ask ourselves when we are through is how does this knowledge now impact our daily walk. Because it's just an academic exercise if we can't then apply our studies.


If you are interested in learning more about this form of bible study The James Method is a great resource for getting started. There are lots of Bible Journaling or Verse mapping workbooks out there, however, I find that a lined notebook is the most useful. Those premade options tend to not give enough space for me to dig into everything I want to dig into. And for the same reason, I don't write directly in my bible most of the time, because there isn't enough room for all the details I want to include.


Verse mapping II Peter 3:10-13

Prayer Journaling

The final method of bible journaling that we'll discuss today is prayer journaling. Needless to say all of your studies should be done in an attitude of prayer. However, this in particular is exactly what it sounds like, you write down your prayers rather than saying them aloud or in your mind. I like this practice because it enables me to really think about what I want to say, and focus solely on prayer. I may be the only one, but I have a bad habit of my mind wandering when I pray and my prayers are disjointed, then they trail off, and I get lost in my thoughts or fall asleep.


Prayer journaling allows me to be intentional with my prayers. I know that I ask Him about everything and talk to Him about everything I mean to. I can be specific with people I hope He will bless and situations that I want to ask for guidance in. It helps me to also focus on making sure my prayers aren't a laundry list of wants for Santa, but also full of gratitude and praise. Finally it gives the added benefit that I can go back and look at things I prayed for a month ago or a year ago or even longer and see how the Lord has lead us and answered prayer. It's also sometimes a reality check to realize how much I worried over something that turned out to not be a big deal.


Prayer Journaling

The Purpose of Bible Journaling

Last weekend at Providence's Church meeting, Sis. Emily, Sis. Cheryl, and I were talking about how we study. I am very creative in my note taking. Sis. Cheryl rewrites her notes when she goes back to study them. Sis. Emily thinks her notes are just messy. The purpose of Bible Journaling is to grow in our relationship with the Lord and to learn to better serve Him in our daily lives. You don't need fancy brush pens and a pack of inspirational stickers to do that. The creative aspect is just a side note, it's not the main point, or even an important one. The purpose of Bible Journaling is to encourage us to actively study the word. Sure I enjoy decorating my notebook, and yes it definitely helps me to recall information when I have noted it in a different color or on a post it note, but the creativity is just a tool to aid me in my studies. You should definitely do what works for you, and not focus on the creative aspect.


lettering verse I Thes. 4:17

Supplies for Bible Journaling

The only thing you need is paper and something to write with. However, if you are creative minded like me or a visual learner, there are lots of tools that you can use.


  • Writing Tools

    • Colored pens - whatever is your preference

      • fineliners - are a great option for small, neat handwriting

      • gel pens - look great but can smear easily

      • ballpoint pens - may not come in enough colors for you

    • Highlighters - there are some great non smear options on the market today

      • mildliners - I like these because they aren't too dark, don't smear, and come an a large variety of colors

      • erasable highlighters - I haven't tried them but I think that would be a great option to try.

  • Writing Surfaces

    • A good notebook - you might like a spiral notebook, a folder that you add paper too, or a bound journal, anything will work.

    • i-Pad - I know some people prefer to type their notes in word or write in a program like Scribble on their i-Pad. Electronics are just fine, I'm just a pen and paper kind of girl.

    • Post it Notes - I have several kinds from the basic color blocks to designer sticky notes. I like pretty office supplies, this is great for creating diagrams like brain mapping when studying out a concept.

  • Decorative, Fun Extras

    • Washi tape - I love the stuff and it is great to run a strip horizontally across a page and divide thoughts or sections or days. It's also great for running vertically along a study to keep it all grouped together even when you break it up with other studies.

    • Stickers - I have lots of faith related sticker sets that let me do everything from marking my bible study time in my planner to having a quick list for prayer request to just encouraging bible verses.


Bible Study notes from a recent sermon.

Try Bible Journaling Today

So pick up a notebook and give Bible journaling a try today. You just might find a new style of studying that both helps with your retention and improves your walk with the Lord. And don't worry about how artistic you feel to be or not, give it some time to develop into your own unique form of studying. I guarantee you won't regret time spent in God's word.


And if you are still convinced that this methodology of studying isn't for you, I hope I at least encouraged you to make spending time in Bible study a regular part of your schedule. I know I try to sit down each evening while the kids do their after supper chores, before we start bedtime routines and spend some time reading and studying. You might get up before your kids and do it in the morning, you might like to do your studying right before going to bed. Maybe you spend your lunch break reading while you eat. However, you fit it into your day, I encourage you to make it a priority. I can tell you from experience when I am faithful to study I'm better able to deal with the stresses of life, and when I neglect time with the Lord I am far more frazzled and lacking as a mom, wife, and teacher.

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