Easy Bible Journaling For The Beginner
Easy Bible Journaling For The Beginner
Bible journaling is has boomed as a popular form of worship and quiet time.
Natural creatives find this a fun way to incorporate their artistic side into their Bible study, and people who don’t consider themselves creative at all find that we all have the capacity to learn simple new techniques that make this hobby fun for everyone!
One of the most searched-for terms on my blog is Bible Journaling ideas, so I’m pulling from the archives to answer some of the most common questions today!
Things like what supplies do I need, can I really do this, what if I mess up and where do I start?
The most popular post can be seen here. While I enjoy sometimes doing more intensive pages, the majority of them are completed in 20-30 minutes (or less!).
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.
It can be intimidating knowing where to start for beginners, so this post will outline a simple and highly imperfect page.
Do I need special bible journaling supplies?
Short answer? No. Make do with whatever Bible and supplies you have or can afford. There is no competition ♥
The Bible in the photos is designed for journaling and has a wide margin. (Links at the end).
A year ago, I was just hearing about Bible Journaling, and couldn’t imagine doing it. My first pages were timid, and basically a few stickers and some writing.
Sometimes I only journal private thoughts and add a piece of washi tape or a small sticker. The variety is up to you, and there is NO right way or wrong way to do this.
This art form has really brought me back to focusing on God’s word. For the easily distracted, this is a tool. A process to train me to meditate on the message.
Get started with simple Bible journaling
After choosing a set of verses, write them along the side. Simple is perfect.
I am not skilled at hand lettering, but there are so many artists out there who love to share. They generously share many tutorials for us to be inspired by.
You can make a more interesting look by simply varying the text with cursive and standard printing.
Start simple with bible journaling
If uncomfortable writing out all the text freehand, sketch things out with a pencil and then outline with a permanent pigmented liner.
This eraser is my FAVORITE (Hi-Polymer) and an oft-used tool.
It erases perfectly and never smears the ink.
Create a frame around bible verses when journaling
Around the text, draw a box. Mimic the shape with another set of lines to create a “frame”.
Don’t be afraid to stop the lines and pick them up again around text or drawings.
I promise you, this looseness will add to the charm of the overall page.
For Psalm 19:7-11, I chose to focus on the concepts of honey and treasure, with shades of golds and touches of purple for royalty.
Tracing images to boost our confidence when bible journaling
I’ll turn to the internet for images that inspire me and do my best to copy them. If you are uncomfortable doing this freehand, try setting a printed sheet of a free image under your page.
Hopefully, enough of the graphic will show to trace your picture from.
This little treasure box took a while, but if you don’t enjoy sketching, tracing paper works well.
How to fix bible journaling mistakes
Don’t be afraid when things seem messed up. It can all be fixed.
Here is what it looked like after inking in the text and box, and drawing the small sketches. The highlighting was there from the previous day, but you can always incorporate things into new designs.
The highlighting was there from a previous day, but you can always incorporate previous things into new designs.
If something really won’t work, simply apply gesso over the spots and paint it.
Make a few letters POP in your bible
Try outlining keywords in a bright color. Don’t worry about clean lines! Tie the colors in with any art or doodling. It adds a nice pop of color to the page, while still keeping it simple.
I use Prismacolor Verithins whenever possible.
Mostly because I bought them for homeschooling years ago, and they are just a great investment.
14 years and still going strong…but ANY colored pencil works.
If you are on a Crayola budget or need to use the kid’s crayons…it all works out.
Smudge the letters for a cohesive look
A fun easy, peasy tool is an inexpensive Prismacolor smudging tool. It is pencil-shaped, and blends colors beautifully, and seemed to intensify their pigment.
I ran it along the edge of the frame, used it to blend the gold/yellows of the treasure box, and also blend the honeycomb.
Trying out a Zig Journal & Title pen along the main letters, I followed their shape for a shadow effect. That is it! I hope this encourages you to get started.
Want MORE Bible Journaling Ideas?
For inspiration check out my Bible Journaling Pinterest board here. My friend Sharra Badgley did an intro post here you can check out, or see where my first inspiration came from with Shanna Noel at Illustrated Faith.
You’ll want to check out this SUPER easy journaling idea for creating transparent stickers from your personal photos to use while journaling.
If you need some ideas for supplies, please never feel you have to buy things to get started. Using what you have is fine!
Never compare yourself to anyone else, Bible journaling is a personal, creative journey.
Bible Journaling Supplies for the beginner
(I’ve added a list of products with Affiliate links to Amazon to make it easy for you to find these things. If I receive a tiny commission, it does NOT affect your cost at all and will go toward the costs of blog maintenance. I only recommend things I truly love and use. But remember, use what is right for YOU!)
- Wide margin Bible (or use any notebook). I also LOVE the Interleaved version that gives a full blank page opposite scriptures
- Prismacolor Verithin colored pencils are my favorite
- Staedtler pigment liners are nice. I’ve looked into many brands, and almost all have a small amount of bleed through no matter how advertised. If that happens I simply paint, use washi tape, or stamp on the other side
- PITT Artist Pens are by far my favorite of all, I use them all the time and write well on paint
- Hi-polymer eraser by Pentel. Might find in school supply sections
- I really like the Prismacolor sharpener better than others. For the price of the pencils, I don’t want the lead to break. This has been my best option for that
- Prismacolor Blender Pencil is how I smudged the colors
- Zig Journal and Title pen is for the gray outlines
- Any washi tape works well. If you are unfamiliar with this product, it is thin paper tape. I LOVE them.
- Invest in some Clear Gesso if nothing else, having it on the page as a primer makes a TON of difference to prevent bleed through. Simply smear on with a used-up gift card/credit card. Make sure to put a piece of waxed paper under it to avoid sticking to other pages
There are countless more materials to consider, but these are the basics I used today. All of these are available on Amazon or various craft stores.
If you want to try some pre-made kits, Illustrated Faith offers some great options. Also, there are some really good books with lots of ideas.
- Faith>Fear Bible Journaling Kit
- Bible journaling kit
- Bible book tabs
- Faber Castell Bible Journaling Kit
- Inspire Bible for Creative Journaling (already has pictures, just color in)
A few other pages I’ve worked on this year, with bible journaling ideas for beginners
Oh dang, I really messed this up! I accidentally put a product on the Bible text and it was not sheer. Worse case, I had to add a piece of paper on top!
Not the end of the fun…
Confessions by Alanna Story was so impactful to me, it made my Cover Page.
Prepare to be blessed by voices…
Have you ever considered, or do you already do Bible Journaling? What technique do you most enjoy?
P.S. If you don’t want to journal directly in your Bible, Arabah Joy has great suggestions on how to use a notebook here
Beginner Bible Journaling supply ideas:
These are just suggestions though, please use what you have , or experiment with something new. Most importantly, have a good time!
- Crossway Journaling Bible Interleaved Edition
- Beautiful Journaling Bible
- Gesso (I used Liquitex which isn’t clear, but often choose Diana Wakely Clear Gesso)
- Wax Paper
- Pitt Artist Pens (medium is my favorite and I think these are the best pens for bible journaling)
- Paint brushes (can get 40% off with coupon at Hobby Lobby)
- Pelikan Watercolors (love, love them)
- Miscellaneous letter stickers and ephemera
- Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.
Where did you get the little stick-on letters in different colors? I’d like those for the cards I make.
Love your illustrations! (Well, I love your whole blog. It is one of the few that I follow consistently.)
Thank you so much Eva! That means alot to me, truly. I keep my eye open for stick on letters when they go on sale at Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabrics. The brands at HL are usually Paper Studio. Joann’s has a $1 section of alphabets, and often has sales on the rest. I use the Tim Holtz when I need tiny square ones…
I love this. Thank you for explaining and making it easy to understand. !!!!
Hi Eva!
You are so welcome! I am grateful for the people who have taught me!
Thanks for showing how to get started, Christa. I’m gathering supplies now, and recently bought some prismacolors with my latest homeschool order 🙂 I hadn’t opened them yet because I was thinking I might want to exchange them for the watercolor version…but then I saw your Prismacolor Blender Pencil! Maybe that’s all I need. I tried searching online for it because the link isn’t working. Where did you buy it? I couldn’t find it anywhere.
Shonna, so sorry I am just seeing this now!!! My blog had a comment glitch. I purchased it http://www.amazon.com/Prismacolor-Blender-Pencil-Colorless-962/dp/B002X94T8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445471873&sr=8-1&keywords=prismacolor+blender. I hope you enjoy the process!
I love this, but don’t have an artistic bone in my body….The font and everything is so perfect!
Heather, some of the most “creative” people I know started by feeling the same way…and just copied ideas they liked. Eventually their own style emerged. That is how I am learning, I believe in you!~
I was so excited that I found the link from Grapevine Bible Studies to your site. I’ve interested in Bible Journaling for a while now, and this really gives me more direction in HOW to. I do have a question. As I’ve looked for a “journaling” Bible or wide margin, they all seem to have tiny lines in the margin. Does your Bible have these? I was hoping to find one without the lines, but that’s seems to be quite a feat. I guess with the journaling, the lines will be mostly covered, but just thought I’d ask what specific Bible you’re using and see if you maybe you could link to where you purchased! Thanks for sharing your passion and talent with us!
Again Tiffani, so sorry for the glitch to respond. My bible does have those tiny lines, but they really do get lost in the artwork. They are very faint. A friend had the same desire, and when she saw mine in person she was surprised at how very faint they were. Here is a link to the one I am using http://www.amazon.com/Single-Column-Journaling-Crossway-Hardcover/dp/B00OVN4DPA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1445472075&sr=8-6&keywords=esv+single+column+journaling+bible+hardcover Now, this is a mystery why the price is so high except them being sold out maybe? You can find one very similar for $25-$30 dollars
This is the first time I’ve heard of Bible Journaling, it’s so Neat! Your pages are beautiful! I am definitely going to look into this idea.
Stacie, definitely check out Pinterest also. Great sources, and there are several FB groups where people share their ideas. I hope you love it!
Just found you via Pinterest. Love your pages. I’ve been Bible journaling for a couple of weeks. I love expressing my creativity while digging into the Word. It has greatly increased my Bible study time. Win win!
Hey there Dana, welcome! Do you have a page on Pinterest where I can see what inspires you?
I have been searching for examples of bible journaling and so happy to have found yours. I love how you journal and got some great ideas from you. Thank you so very much for sharing. God Bless.
Hi Maria! Welcome to the blog, so glad you found your way here. We are in the same adventure stage…bless you on your journey. Did you see the post I did about doing Text overlays with your journaling?
Oh my gosh! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I’ve read about umpteen posts that claim to be for “beginners” but this is the first one that made me feel like I could actually *do* this, and I’m excited to start! I have tons of scrapbook materials that I never use because I’m really not that creative. But, I think I can put them all to very good use now! I’ll be following and checking out your other posts. 😉
Stephanie, you totally made my day! When you blog sometimes you don’t get feedback if things are helpful. You can definitely do this! If you ever have questions please ask, and if you follow my Pinterest board for Bible journaling I am pinning things to inspire me too. This is a fantastic way to use scrapbook materials up. A friend of mine uses lots of extra materials to teach a class for teens on this and they love it. Bless you, and happy journaling
https://www.pinterest.com/csterken/bible-journaling/
I’m inspired to start this and really think it will help my bible study time. I’m a doodler at heart.
Hi Eileen! Thanks for visiting. It is pretty amazing how exciting it can be, especially after a period of stagnancy. I hope you love it, feel free to come back and post a link if there is somewhere I can see how it turned out 🙂
Hey Christa – I found this post linked from your end-of-year email, and what a very cool post! I’d never seen “Bible journaling” like this, but it’s beautiful! Blessings, Rob
Hey there Rob, it is something I’ve been doing for about a year. It has become a HUGE trend. It is exciting to see people finding ways to worship that really touch their hearts in a fresh way 🙂 Thanks for checking in!
This is a great idea. Anything to help me learn scripture more. God bless you.
The internet sure opens up a wealth of ideas for each other! I love new ways to learn too. Thanks Heather!
What Bible do you recommend?
Great suggestions. At present all I have is regular Bibles so I stick to highlighting. I would love one I can do more in someday. I do have a separate journal where I write out scripture at least.
Susan, I hear you! Many of my things were gifts for birthdays or the like over the years (or double usage from other crafts). One place I know several people have gotten a score is Goodwill. When they have half price day, one can be found (any kind will do) for a dollar or so. At that price it feels easier…also, I DO have study bibles that are seperate. I consider this a worship journal per se. Have fun!
Hello Sister in Christ!
I was saved in 2017 and have grown tremendously in my faith. I am hungry for the word of God and growing closer to him daily. I have had a series of storms recently that has pushed me even closer to God. Being artistic a friend suggested Bible journaling because I write and am artistic and journal daily so the combination of all of them! I am in!
Well I am beginning and gathered my supplies and opened my new Journaling Bible and got a little intimidated. For days now I have been praying to find where to begin and am asking for some mutual agreement that I got this and can create something beautiful to me and perfect to God.
Did you experience any beginners fear? Or intimidation? What did you do or how did you overcome it?
Hello Amanda! What wonderful sharing to hear of your passion for Christ! I am so glad that the storms pushed you towards, instead of away from him. I definitely had some beginner’s qualms, being raised with NOT marking in a Bible for any reason, except the traditional names etc at the beginning. Here is my suggestions…have a bible for study and one for creative. The creative one is just for “sitting” with God and letting those artistic juices flow (after all, He gave them to you!)
I began by jumping in. I took a class with Shanna Noel years ago, and it was so FREEING just to spread the paint, use stamps, and focus on the message God was drawing me to. It does feel awkward at first, but it will become a treasured heirloom for generations to see how you were inspired…and fun for you to look back and see how far you’ve come.
If you still feel it isn’t for you, simply use a regular art journal and write in the scriptures that you are focusing on over the art you create. I definitely recommend though to keep your study bible as a different resource. Then if the journaling doesn’t go quite you as planned (anything can be fixed into a new creation) the original pages won’t feel “ruined”. And all the text is still going to be visible. God bless you on your new journey!
Bible journaling is an excellent way to record what you learn, the lessons you have learned and things that are important to you. It allows you to look back on your life with more clarity and a stronger understanding of who you are as a person. I have tried many methods to help me remember things I have previously forgotten but Bible Journaling For The Beginner is by far the best method I have tried. If you have never tried this method, it can be incredibly beneficial and help you discover aspects of your life that you may have otherwise not even noticed.