Ever seen someone’s Bible that is filled with colorful drawings and overflowing with paper inserts and wondered what that is all about? Or have you seen examples of Bible journaling on social media an wondered how to get started?
If you are looking for a fun and creative way to engage with scripture, Bible journaling could be for you. It gives you an opportunity to read, reflect, and express your faith in a creative way, combining art and faith.
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Here are three steps to get you started with Bible journaling right away.
1. Gather Supplies
The first step in beginning Bible journaling is gathering supplies. If you are anything like me, this is super fun! I have a full basket of stationary items I keep handy for when creativity strikes. But all you really need is a bible, colored pencils or markers, and some paper. If you want a done-for-you kit, there are bible journaling kits you can purchase that include all kinds of fun supplies. You can also get extras like washi tape, stencils, stickers, etc. If you want to use paint or watercolors in your bible pages make sure that your bible is made out of non-porous paper so it won’t get damaged.
2. Pray Before You Start
One of the most important things you should do when you start each Bible journaling session is to take time to pray. Ask God to open up your mind and heart, and to give you clarity as you seek understanding through His word. Prayer before reading scripture helps create an atmosphere of reverence while also helping us focus on what we are reading instead of getting distracted by what’s happening around us.
Plus praying before you start helps you to remember that the purpose of Bible journaling is to grow your relationship with God, not to just do a fun art project.
3. Focus on One Passage at a Time
Start off small when beginning bible journaling by focusing on one passage at a time instead of trying to tackle entire books or chapters right away. Choose one verse or passage that resonates with you then spend some time reflecting on what it means and how it applies to your life today. This will help bring scripture alive as you ponder its relevance beyond just reading the words on the page.
This process of reflection will help guide your journaling, artwork and overall creativity. It will also provide additional insight into God’s word that can only come from spending intentional time engaging with it through prayer and meditation.
Once you have spent time reflecting upon a passage begin drawing out any thoughts or impressions that have been stirred up during this reflection period including symbols, colors, shapes etc.. This is where creativity comes into play when interpreting scripture through art!
Summary
Bible journaling provides an incredible opportunity to grow closer to God while using your creative abilities. It doesn’t even matter if you are artistically challenged because there are no rules when it comes to expressing yourself through art – just trust in God’s guidance and enjoy the process! So grab your supplies and get ready for an amazing journey as God speaks into your heart through scripture and art combined!
