Welcome to the beautiful world of Bible journaling! Are you ready to learn how to Bible journal in 3 easy steps? My name is Amanda Schenkenberger (creator of Move the Mountains) and I’m here to help you get started in learning how to Bible journal!
Are you new to Bible journaling or did you just get your first journaling Bible and you need to know where to start? Even though you may feel overwhelmed with how to Bible journal because of all the possibilities, Bible journaling is actually very simple once you’ve answered a few questions.
Let’s start with some basic questions first and then move to our three steps:
What is Bible journaling?
Bible journaling is a creative technique used to study the Bible, get inspired artistically by the Word of God, connect with Him and worship Him, and it is an opportunity to share your faith with others.
It is writing, painting, doodling, poetry, sketching, and more. You can use it to hear God, to learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit, to allow Jesus to heal a broken heart, to begin an adventure with God, to fall more in love with His Word, and so much more.
Bible journaling is more than you dreamed but it is more simple than you think. Bible journaling is about God, His Word, and you. It limitless and freeing, but before you get to that stage, you are probably going to need some guidelines.
What do I need to start Bible journaling?
Paper, pen or pencil, and any Bible. Yep, that is seriously it!
Is a journaling Bible nice to have to Bible journal? Of course it is! But all you need is paper and a writing utensil, you can even use a Bible app if you don’t have a physical Bible!
However, I LOVE my journaling Bible. I used to journal my thoughts and doodles in random journals and I would have to search high and low if I wanted to review a memory or mediation of God’s Word, but with a journaling Bible, all of my heart to hearts with God are kept in one beautiful place, next to the very words that inspired them.
If you would like to see the journaling Bibles Move the Mountains offer, please click here.
Are you ready to learn how to Bible journal?!
Step 1: Ask God this question, “How do You want me to Bible journal?”
If you are not used to hearing God’s voice yet, that is okay! Think about what you are already naturally inclined to do: writing, painting, drawing, rewriting the Word? Choose a few options that stick out to you from the list below. There are so many options in learning how to Bible journal! (You should probably best to stick with an option for which you already have art supplies for the moment)
- rewriting the Word
- drawing word pictures
- painting
- hand lettering
- pencil drawing
- sketching
- writing my thoughts about the Word
- coloring
- advanced artistry
- poetry
- song writing
- prophetic art
- writing stream of consciousness
- cartooning
- graphic designing
- writing for the purpose of applying God’s Word to my life
If you struggled with this step and you really want to begin to hear God more clearly, I have a Bible study titled, “Hearing God” that uses writing focused Bible journaling to learn how to tune into His voice! You can check out the study by clicking here!
Step 2: Pick a devotional or Bible study to get you started.
Since I started teaching Bible journaling in 2015, I have gathered a wealth of information on helping beginners get into the Word through this craft. I decided to take all that knowledge and create a free educational series for Bible journaling!
Bible Journaling with Move the Mountains
In this free educational series for Bible journaling, you can expect an email from me every 4-5 days with a video tutorial, tip, or encouragement for your faith!
It is excellent for beginners or those who just need a little bit of inspiration now and then.
To sign up for Bible journaling with Move the Mountains, click here!
For other free options of getting into the Word through Bible journaling, click here. We always start with God’s Word and teach a different element of Bible journaling alongside the Word. Many women also like to pick and choose what they would like to learn, so visiting my YouTube channel might be very helpful! Click here to see my YouTube channel.
If you are currently in the midst of a devotional, you can also keep using that and just tailor it to the Bible journaling style you like. Many women have found the “Jesus Calling” devotional helpful for Bible journaling as well.
Step 3: Set aside at least 15 minutes to get into God’s Word uninterrupted. Use the Bible journaling option that speaks to you the most!
Yes, God deserves your full attention. This can be hard for most women, whether you’re are a mom or single, women are just busy. We have to take the time and slow down for God so that He can speak to us, pour into us, and mend us. Even if we are fully mature Christian women and need none of that, God deserves the first fruits of our energy.
What works best for me is getting up 20 minutes earlier every day. I have four little boys who require massive amounts of time and focus. I start by praying in my prayer language while I do my make up and hair and then when I sit down, I’m all ready to hear God.
Sometimes we talk business, sometimes we talk motherhood, sometimes He just wants to tell me He loves me and that I’m beautiful. If I don’t have a prompt, I ask Him what He wants me from me that day.
Whether you are following a devotional or a challenge, I find it is best to set aside the time in the morning. This way the day won’t get away from you and you’ll set the right tone for your day. When I don’t start my day this way, my heart’s posture does not line up with God’s Word and my perspective is put through a grumpy filter instead if a God filter.
Establishing this habit is not necessarily easy, it takes discipline and that isn’t something taught well in our culture. But ultimately, what is more valuable, God or sleep?
Accountability
To make it easier on yourself, you should consider asking a friend to do this with you to help keep you accountable. Sharing your heart and being vulnerable in a safe environment is something the Body of Christ is suppose to do! (Galatians 6:2)
With all that being said, are you ready?
Bible journaling for the first time is like trying to convince yourself to jump into a slightly chilly pool: It is a little intimidating and you might be dazed at first but you’ll soon be splashing around and trying all sorts of dives!
So, what are your Bible journaling plans?! Did a certain method speak to you? Are you going to try one of my Bible journaling challenges? Please share in the comments below what you’ve decided to do to help other women such as yourself get started!
I pick a Bible verse and draw what it says to me.
Choose colors and word I want to express regarding the Bible verse.
I love you! You are a lot like me, a visual sort of thinker/creative. Thanks for sharing your tip!
I am excited about getting started…would love to share with my daughter, whom loves to draw. I think this would encourage her to be in God’s word!
Hi Linda! I’m glad you’re excited!
That is good to hear about your daughter, God can really drawings inspired by His Word to speak to people, especially the artist! I’ll pray she wants to join you, time in God’s Word with your children is very special!
My mother and I took a class at our church on bible journaling. We felt an immediate connection. I am at the beginning of my life with GOD. Was just baptized in the ocean in May. What a creative way to learn God s word. I am blessed. I too will share with my grandaughter. What a wonderful Christmas gift for a artistic young lady.
Welcome to the family, Marcy! 😉 I absolutely LOVE that you were baptized in the ocean, that is awesome!
Bible journaling is a great way to connect with God because God is creative, He enjoys self-expression inspired by His Word. After all, we call Him “the Creator”! I’m sure your granddaughter will also love it too!
I just ordered my first journaling Bible. As a stay at home mom my life has changed alot in terms of my creative outlet. I am beyond excited to delve into God’s word with my colored pencils in hand. So glad I was led to your Instagram account through a friend!
That is so awesome! I totally get the shift to stay at home mom life, it was rough the first time around for me. I didn’t realize how much of my identity I had wrapped up in my job and the praise I received there. I’m so glad you found me, too! Soon, you’ll be able to do this with your little one too! 🙂
Blessings,
Amanda
I also want to collect starbucks mugs, i have 4 or 5. Lol. I’m so excited to start bible journaling and studying Gods word.
I’m glad you’re excited! Please let me know if you have any questions!
I asked my husband for a journaling bible for my birthday. I hope to have one this month…if not from him, I’ll buy it for myself. I love art and have struggled my whole life about how I can study God’s word. Growing up I was always taught not to write in a bible, but the older I’ve gotten, I realize how much more personal God wants me to be with Him. I hope to learn a lot from my Lord and from myself and possibly share my experience with the ladies in my church. Can’t wait❤
Hi Toni,
Thank you so much for sharing! You are not the only who have been taught that, myself included. Above all, God wants your heart and if Bible journaling helps you get closer to Him, then do it! Please let me know if you would like any help choosing a journaling Bible.
Also, tomorrow on 2/12/17 at 3pm PST, I will be hosting a LIVE chat on Instagram LIVE about what the Bible says about Bible journaling. You are welcome to join! If you would like please follow me @movethemountains and set an alarm to join us! https://www.instagram.com/movethemountains/
Blessings,
Amanda
You seem so sweet, I bet you’re a great mom!
I would love to try this as a Spiritual Activity for seniors at my new job. I’m excited to get started and have been compiling ideas. Any particular verses stand out to you as a place I could start? Please email me.
Thank you!
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for your question, it is a great one! I’m sure many people have had this same exact question.
I absolutely love that you are doing this with seniors! Bible journaling is a great reflective activity for them. However, unless they retain a lot of fine motor control, I would suggest doing it in a journal instead of a Bible. But I’m sure you know all about that stuff. 😉
Anyway, I would suggest starting in Acts 17:28 with a simple flower design. I have a video for beginners on YouTube that shows how to do this simple flower idea: https://youtu.be/jsn1Vsutfu4
Watercolor may also be a fun activity for them as well, watercolor is hard to do wrong. I have a simple tutorial on that as well with a Psalm. The video quality isn’t great on this one but if you watch it, it is super easy to reteach. 🙂 https://youtu.be/cu7p8jTfujU
Please let me know if you have any more questions and thanks for asking a great one!
Blessings,
Amanda
While the special Bibles with the wide margins make sense as does a separate notebook, I don’t understand when Bible journaling covers up the text. Do you then read another Bible after you cover up parts of it?
Hi Becca,
You have a really good question there! If you can get a Bible where you don’t have to cover up the text, then why do some ladies? Well, there are a couple of reasons, one being it is a mistake. One of my personal goals with Bible journaling is to keep the text readable but sometimes I get so into my art that by the time I realize it, the Word is covered up and I can’t uncover it.
I think the biggest reason that ladies choose to cover up the Word is that their journaling Bible is like their art journal, it is a place to get creative with the pages God has breathed life into. In their hearts, covering God’s Word isn’t disrespectful, it is part of worshiping Him. I have yet to meet a lady who covered the Word with their art who didn’t have another Bible to read and study with. It is not that the Word isn’t important to them, it is usually the opposite, it is that this is their creative place to be with Him because they are so inspired by His Word.
Covering or not covering the Word, and Bible journaling in general, is still a hot topic in some areas of the Christian faith. I actually wrote an article about it because I was seeing such division in church about Bible journaling. I would encourage you to read it because I dive into whether or not Bible journaling is Biblical. You can read it here: https://move-the-mountains.com/bible-journaling-biblical/
Thanks for posing a great question, Becca, and please let me know if you have any other questions.
Blessings,
Amanda
You mention “praying in your prayer language”….what does that mean? I have never heard that before.
Hi Kathy,
You have a very good question! Allow me to begin by saying that I am a Christian who believes that the gifts of the Spirit are for today, they didn’t go away with the early church (you can find them in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles talk about Christians speaking in “new tongues” or a prayer language that is not usually understood by others unless they have the gift of interpreting. I think one of the best explanations for what it is and what it does is found in Romans 8:26-27.
If this is a new idea to you, I’ll say that it is quite a hot topic among Christians, you’ll find all sorts of angry Christians for and against it on YouTube. I realize it is a strange concept but Jesus and the early church fathers talk about it, so we ought to as well. Just because it is weird doesn’t mean we should discount the idea.
I refer to it as “praying in your prayer language” because the word “tongues” sets people off and makes them all squirmy. What I believe is that Christians can still love Jesus and serve Him with all their hearts and not believe “tongues” is for today but they’re missing a useful element in their toolboxes of faith.
If you would like, feel free to reach out to me via email (amanda@move-the-mountains.com) and I can round up some resources that could explain it more in depth. Thanks for asking the question, you probably aren’t the only one who thought it! 😉
Blessings,
Amanda
Dear Amanda,
Thank you so much for your advise. I need to learn how to write a prayer journal step by step as a beginner. You may kindly assist.
Hi Emma,
You have a great question! Setting up a prayer journal can be daunting but the key to any prayer journal is to have a system and to stick to it. I talk about how to set up a prayer journal in this article I wrote a few years ago: https://move-the-mountains.com/diy-how-to-create-a-prayer-journal/
Check it out, it should help! If you still have questions when you are done reading, feel free to reach out to me at contactus@move-the-mountains.com
Blessings,
Amanda
Hi Amanda!
I found your site very interesting and will probably sign up for one of your classes. I’m a busy mom as well, but want to spend more time with the Lord! I love coffee as well and would like to collect all the Starbucks cups as well!
God bless!
Catina
Haha, coffee lovers unite! I hope you love Bible journaling and let me know if you have any questions!
-Amanda
I think I will get a friend to help me stay accountable, plus I know she wants to learn as well.
Hiya Diane,
I think that is a great idea! Bible journaling is more fun with friends!