Looking at Pinterest stresses me out. I know all the beautiful, creative ideas should inspire me, but instead they make me uneasy. My food doesn’t look so fancy, and my craft projects look like a child’s work, which isn’t surprising since my DIY abilities haven’t advanced much since second grade!
So Bible journaling used to intimidate me.
My journal definitely doesn’t look anything like the color-coordinated, tasteful creations I see on Pinterest made with washi tape, fancy papers, and other mysterious materials, but I don’t let it stop me.
Writing out the words of Scripture helps me grow as a Christian.
It helps me treasure God’s Word, think deeply about it, pray the words, and seek to live it out later. For me, Scripture writing is a simple, practical way to heed this call:
Scripture unleashes God’s power over our lives. Solomon counseled his son to write God’s commandments on the tablet of his heart. (Proverbs 7:3) God commanded the kings of Israel to write down their own personal copy of His law, so they could always have it with them, read it, and obey it. (Deuteronomy 17:18-19).
Today, we can easily acquire our own copy of the Bible, but writing out verses and phrases still has many benefits:
- Deeper Thinking. The simple act of choosing a verse to copy makes us think more deeply about what God is saying to us through the Scripture as we ask, “What in this passage speaks most to me?”
- Active Learning. Giving our hands something to do can help our minds meditate on and pray through the Word.
- Sharpened Focus. Writing helps us remember. Rather than just forgetting all about it, we can go back later in the day to look at it. We have words to shape our prayers and something to put into practice for the rest of the day.
- Record of our Spiritual Life. We find encouragement later when we go back and review verses God used to speak to us.
But how to get started? Bible journaling can be intimidating.
How can a woman like me, who’s barely even seen the inside of a Hobby Lobby, do Bible journaling?
If you wonder what you’d even write or draw to fill one page or you feel you have to go to a class and watch YouTube videos to start journaling, try Mini-journaling.
What is mini Bible Journaling?
I call it “mini” because you use an index card rather than a whole journal page. It frees you to try your hand at journaling by starting small. Literally. All you need to get started is one 3 x 5 notecard. Anyone can take two or three minutes to write something out on a card, and if you mess it up, you’re not losing much. You can always whip out another blank card.
Here’s what you need:
- Your Bible and a Reading Plan
- 3 or 4 colored gel pens
- Card box to store your cards. (Got mine from Walmart for $1.99.)
- Nice to have, but not necessary: colored pencils, stickers, or scrapbook material.
Here’s how to do it:
1. As you read your Bible passage of the day, ask God to speak to you. Choose one verse that most encourages or challenges you. (For more guidance on how to have a quiet time, read this.)
2. Using two contrasting colors, copy your verse on the index card. (I like to use the card vertically, with the long side going up and down.) You can either alternate colors between lines or highlight important words in the contrast color.
3. Do one or more of these:
- Circle or box the word that stands out to you.
- Add color with a small drawing or detail like a flower, heart, or some scrolling.
- Write your own prayer in response, using just one line or a few words.
Your Bible journaling card reminds you later of the truth you’ve hidden in your heart.
Take your card with you or leave it where you can see it later. The following day, review the card again before you make a new one; then store it in your card box. I used the little divider tabs that came with my box to correspond to what I’ve read recently in my devotional times: Psalms, Mark, and 1 Peter.
I find encouragement later when I look through my card collection and remember what God has shown me and how He has spoken to me through His Word.
Mini-journaling is a fun way to start Bible journaling without the overwhelm. Even if you already journal, it can breathe new life into your devotional time. You probably already have what you need around the house, and it’s something you can do in about two minutes to add a little fun and creativity to your quiet time. Why not give it a try?
Now it’s your turn: Do you journal? If so, what do you enjoy about it? If not, what stops you from trying it?
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Need ideas on how to get more out of your quiet time? I wrote More of God: A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times to help overwhelmed and distracted women recover a fresh sense of God’s presence, learn to hear His voice, and grow their prayer lives. Click on the image below for more info:
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
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I love this idea. I just might do this. I’d also like to suggest it to my P31 small group.
Feel free to share it with them, Nancy! I didn’t know you led a group! That is so cool!
Yes to starting small! I’ve done this with women in my classes, either handing them a card or delineating a small rectangular space in our lesson notes. “You only have to write this much!”
It sets the bar low enough to fly over with confidence!
Yes! That’s how I started doing it too. I gave journaling prompts to women in a Bible study and gave them the option of a page in their journal or a notecard. I was surprised that the women who used the notecard seemed excited about having fun with a small task and getting spiritual encouragement at the same time.
You have inspired me! I am going to give this a start. I think I even have all that I need already….so I can start today:)
Glad if this inspired you, Jennifer! I’m all for easy projects that don’t require a trip to the store. Let’s just use what we have a home already! <3
I’m really excited about trying this. Although I’ve written scripture out before, I usually wrote more than I could digest, so I retained very little. I have the perfect box, too. It reminds me of the old card catalog they used to have at the library. It will hold index cards perfectly!
I love that! Sounds like you have a cool box for it. Happy mini-journaling!
That is such a great idea! I find a lot of the Bible journaling pins on Pinterest a little intimidating, too. They make it look so easy, but I don’t have that kind of artsy ability. But your idea seems perfect!
Thanks, Ashley! For me, I need it to be simple. I can’t do things with lots of different supplies and materials. I want the focus to be on the Lord’s Word, but I think it’s great to take time for more “crafty” projects, say, once a week! But I need simple.
Great idea, Betsy. That’s an easy way to Bible journal without committing to a whole page…that will likely go unfinished (at least in my case). 🙂
Yeah, I know what you mean. A whole empty page kind of intimidates. <3
Love the idea of easy, first steps. Beautiful work, Betsy!
Thank you, Crystal!
You make sound easy enough even I could do it! I love the list of benefits, too. Thanks, Betsy!
Yes, I’m sure you could do it, friend!
This is such a neat idea! And a handy tool for memorizing, too.
Yes, it is. Another reader also suggested tucking a card into a note or a gift.
What a sweet and sacred way to journal 🙂 Love this! Yes, I journal quite a lot. What do I enjoy about journaling? I enjoy my prayer journal because it helps me remain intentional about conversing with God and sensing His response. I enjoy my Bible journal for many of the reasons you mentioned in your post; it is more of a way to make note of passages that spark question or insights for future study. Your idea sparks my need to create beauty inspired by His Word. Thank you for sharing!
I love keeping a prayer journal to remind myself of God’s awesome answers, AND to remind myself to keep knocking, keep seeking when I don’t see the answer yet.
Great ideas! I love the index card idea and I also believe in writing down scriptures. It helps me to remember it and understand it better.
Thanks for chiming in, Mary! I appreciate you.
I inherited a big rolodex from my mother. I’ve been writing Bible study notes and I write down my favorite prayers and helpful Christian books. I’m going to add some color/art to my cards.
Oh wow, Verlette, thanks for sharing that! I remember rolodexes. That is a great way to put yours to use. I love that.
That is such a great idea! Thank you
So glad if it is helpful to you, Renee!