Bible Journaling

I define Bible journaling as CREATIVE WORSHIP. There are many different techniques for using art supplies, journaling Bibles, etc., but essentially, it’s about spending time with the Lord and using His Word creatively to worship Him.

When I started bible journaling in 2016, I had no clue what I was doing. I was in a tough place emotionally, but I had seen beautiful artwork in Bibles and knew I wanted to do this. The Holy Spirit extended an invitation into a world of color, creativity & joy in the Word. Am I glad I responded to that invitation?

My early bible journaling is very raw, with so many imperfections, but each page is precious because each page tells a story. That’s what your mindset & your heart condition need to be when embarking on this beautiful journey. A quote says, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This is so true.

You can’t start comparing your pages to those of other more seasoned journalers, as this will rob you of the precious times of growth with the Lord. We need to treat the bible with reverence & respect. Some people are very uncomfortable with creating directly over the Word of God & others, like me, feel more liberated to creatively highlight a particular verse on a bible page, using every inch of the page to add color & images. We are told in I Samuel 16:7 NKJV “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So, if your heart is to worship Him this way & the Holy Spirit leads you into creative freedom, follow His. Never do anything that causes you to lose peace & always remember to respect His Word.

I have several journaling Bibles and several reading/study Bibles. It’s essential to separate the two. People often ask, “How can you read the words when they are covered by art?”

Well, I read my study bible & I journal in my journaling bible. There are several different types of journaling bibles, depending on your comfort level when creating them in the bible. The interleaved journaling bible is an excellent option if you aren’t happy to cover any words. There is a complete blank page next to every text page. I love these Bibles (more creative space!) Then, there are single-column journaling bibles with a wide margin on the side of the text. There are coloring bibles that have pre-printed images for you to color in. Different versions are usually available in these different types of journaling bibles. There are so many different art supplies & materials that can be used, but I’m not going to go into those here. Pinterest is a great place for ideas & techniques & I have a Facebook page dedicated to my journaling.

I hope my journaling inspires you and allows you to worship the Lord with me through color and creativity.

Blessings…Leigh-Ann Evans