Bible Journaling For Beginners
You've seen the photos of beautiful, colorful Bible verses. And you've thought about whether you should take the plunge and buy a journaling Bible of your own. But it's all so intimidating. Which Bible should you choose? And what supplies will you need? Can you just pick up a pencil and draw in your Bible? Is drawing in a Bible even allowed?
Take a breath. And let's see what it takes to begin Bible journaling.
Can I draw in my Bible?
First, let's look at the question... can I draw in my Bible? Is it allowed?
To answer this, we need to take a look at God's word. In fact, let's look at the very beginning, the first five words of the Bible in Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning, God created..."
Did you catch that? God is a creator. It's the first thing we learn about him! In fact, the process of God creating is described in the entire first chapter of Genesis. He creates the earth, sky, sea, land, creatures and of course, you and me. Did you know God even created light BEFORE he created the sun, moon or stars?
I think it's safe to say creativity comes from God. And if you have a gift and desire to create, then it makes sense that that talent should be used to express your love for God's word. And share it! Now, you will likely want a journaling Bible that is separate from your study Bible. And that's okay! It gives you freedom to express artistically in your journaling Bible, while still being able to read God's word and reflect on it in your study Bible.
Choosing a Journaling Bible
Now that you know it's okay to color in your Bible, how do you go about finding a journaling Bible? This can be tricky and intimidating, but let's ask a couple basic questions.
1. Which translation works best for you? I've always liked NIV. I started reading reviews and found that this NIV journaling Bible made sense for me.
2. What do you want to do with your journaling Bible? Do you want pre-made designs that you can color? Or would you rather create your own art? If so, you'll want a Bible with plenty of blank space. If you want to write words in your Bible, you might choose one that has lines on the side of each page. You'll also want a Bible that lies flat when it's open.
Here are a few options for journaling Bibles:
The Process of Starting Your First Entry
Now that you have a Bible, it's time to put pen to paper! There is no right or wrong way to begin, but I know it can be hard. That blank page is so perfect. And what if you mess it up? Here are a few easy steps to get you started.
1. Finding a verse. What verse should you choose? There are a few options. One is to use a verse from your recent studies, something that jumped out at you. Another is to go on Pinterest. Take a look at what others are doing. It's okay to be inspired by each other. You can also search for a topic. Look up verses about joy, love, mountains, birds, whatever you think would make a good picture in your mind. Or just choose a verse that has special meaning to you.
2. Reflect on your verse. Think about what God is saying. What words jump out? Try sketching on a separate piece of paper as you reflect and see what ideas come to mind. I like to listen to music while I create, too. Make your time with God special!
3. Pictures & Words. Grab a pencil and sketch out your design. Again, you can start on a separate piece of paper. Or you can just write the words in your margin using pretty handwriting. Try combining straight letters and cursive to mix things up. Or you can draw a picture to go with the words. Be brave! Let your picture spill over the typed words of your Bible. And consider drawing a border around the verse you're working on to make it stand out.
4. Color. When you have a design you enjoy, consider outlining it. Micron pens work well and don't usually bleed through. Color in your design using colored pencils, crayons, paint, etc. You can read more about coloring and art supplies in my post: Bible Journaling Supplies for Beginners.
If this process is still too intimidating, try something simpler.
Traceables
Print out a design you like and trace it into your Bible. I have free designs here, or you can find this hot air balloon design in my Etsy shop, along with these traceable Bible verse bookmarks.
And you can read about how to transfer an image into your Bible in my post, Bible Journaling: Transferring An Image Into Your Bible.
You're ready! Just remember there is no right or wrong way to Bible-J, as long as you focus on God's word. And just to inspire you (and let you know you're not the world's worst artist, ha ha!), have a look at my very first Bible doodle here.
