You don't need to be an artist to Bible journal. You just need a pen and a verse.
That's the beauty of it. Bible journaling isn't about perfect calligraphy or gallery-worthy watercolors. It's about slowing down with God's word long enough to let it move you — then writing, sketching, or scribbling what happens next.
Whether you've been reading the Bible for decades or you're just starting out, Bible journaling can transform how you engage with Scripture. It makes the text personal. It makes truth stick. And it gives your faith a place to breathe on the page.
Key Takeaways
- Bible journaling means writing, drawing, or creating in response to Scripture — no artistic skill required.
- It deepens Scripture retention and makes God's word more personal and applicable.
- The three main types are written, visual, and digital journaling.
- The SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) gives you a simple framework to start.
- All you need to begin is a notebook, a Bible, and a pen.
What Is Bible Journaling?
Bible journaling is the practice of recording your personal responses to Scripture — through writing, art, or a combination of both. It's part Bible study, part prayer journal, and part creative expression.
Some people write lengthy reflections in wide-margin Bibles. Others sketch small illustrations. Some letter key verses in beautiful fonts. Others simply jot down two sentences before bed. There's no single right way to do it.
The practice has deep historical roots. Puritan believers kept detailed faith diaries as spiritual disciplines. Charles Spurgeon — one of the most celebrated preachers in history — journaled extensively as part of his study of Scripture. Medieval monks illuminated manuscripts by hand, combining text and art as acts of worship.
The modern visual journaling movement took off around 2013–2015, when Christian women started sharing artistic Bible pages on social media. But the impulse behind it — to write God's word on your heart — is as old as the Bible itself.
Deuteronomy 6:9 commands, "Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates" (NIV). The idea was never passive reception. God's people were always meant to actively engage, record, and revisit his words.
Why Try Bible Journaling?
There's a reason teachers ask students to take notes by hand rather than type. Research consistently shows that writing by hand improves retention and comprehension more than passive reading. When you write a verse, you process it differently than when you simply read it.
Bible journaling takes that further. When you respond to Scripture — asking what it means, how it applies, what you want to say back to God — you're doing active theology. You're not just consuming words. You're wrestling with them.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
- Better retention: You remember what you engage with. Writing a verse keeps it in your mind long after you close the journal.
- Deeper personalization: Generic truths become specific promises. "He gives strength to the weary" (Isaiah 40:29, NIV) stops being abstract when you write why you need that today.
- A spiritual record: Journals become a history of your faith. Looking back at entries from months or years ago reveals how God has worked in your life.
- Creative worship: For many people, creating art or lettering in response to a verse is itself an act of prayer.
You don't have to be naturally reflective or artistic to benefit. The act of sitting down with a verse — even for five minutes — changes how you carry that verse through the rest of your day.
The 3 Main Types of Bible Journaling
Written Bible Journaling
This is the most accessible form. You read a passage, then write:
- What the text says (your observations)
- What it means (your interpretation)
- How it applies to your life (your application)
- A prayer in response
Written journaling works in any notebook — a $2 composition book or a beautiful leather-bound journal. You don't need a special Bible. You don't need art supplies. You just need to show up with a pen.
Many people use this type daily during morning quiet time. It's low-friction, flexible, and deeply effective for building a consistent practice.
Visual Bible Journaling
Visual journaling adds artistic elements to your engagement with Scripture. This might look like:
- Watercolor backgrounds behind a lettered verse
- Simple pencil sketches illustrating a Bible story
- Hand-lettered quotes in decorative fonts
- Washi tape, stamps, or collage elements
Most visual journalers work in wide-margin Bibles — special editions with 2–3 inch margins designed for writing and drawing directly on the page. Brands like Crossway, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan all produce journaling Bibles.
You can also use a separate art journal alongside a regular Bible. This keeps the Bible clean while giving you more creative freedom.
Important note: If illustrating in your Bible feels spiritually uncomfortable, use a separate journal. There's no rule that says you must write in the Bible itself.
Digital Bible Journaling
Digital journaling has grown rapidly with the rise of iPads and stylus technology. Apps like GoodNotes, Notability, and Procreate let you do everything visual journalers do — without buying art supplies.
Some people prefer digital because:
- No mess, no drying time
- Infinite "undo" capability
- Easy to share and organize
- Always available on your phone
You can also use Bible Expert's AI Chat feature to look up the historical context of a verse, explore cross-references, or ask questions about a passage before you journal. It's like having a Bible scholar available during your quiet time.
What Supplies Do You Need?
One of the best things about Bible journaling is that the entry cost is almost zero. Here's what you actually need:
Minimal starter kit:
- Any Bible you already own
- A notebook (composition book, spiral notebook, or blank journal)
- A pen you enjoy writing with
That's it. You can start today with what you have.
If you want to try visual journaling:
- A wide-margin journaling Bible or a separate sketchbook
- Micron pens or fine-liners for outlining (won't bleed through pages)
- Basic watercolor set or colored pencils
- A light-source pencil for sketching before inking
If you want to go digital:
- iPad (any generation) + Apple Pencil or equivalent stylus
- GoodNotes, Notability, or Procreate app
- Downloadable journaling Bible PDF or Bible study templates
Don't buy supplies before you've established the habit. Start with pen and paper. Upgrade only if you're genuinely enjoying the practice after a few weeks.
How to Start — 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Choose a verse
Pick one verse or a short passage (3–5 verses). Don't try to journal an entire chapter at first — you'll get overwhelmed. Use Bible Expert's daily verse, a reading plan, or simply open to a Psalm.
Good starting passages for journaling:
- Psalm 23 (the Lord as shepherd)
- John 15:1–11 (the vine and branches)
- Romans 8:28–39 (nothing separates us from God's love)
- Philippians 4:4–9 (peace that passes understanding)
Step 2: Read it in context
Before you write a single word, read 1–2 chapters around your chosen verse. Who is speaking? Who is the audience? What's happening in the story? Context transforms meaning. A verse that seems to be about prosperity might actually be about steadfastness under persecution — or vice versa.
Step 3: Write your response
Use the SOAP method (explained in detail in the next section). Write what the verse says, what you notice, how it applies to you, and a short prayer. Even three sentences per category is enough to start.
Step 4: Add visuals only if you want to
If you feel moved to draw, sketch, or letter something — do it. If you don't — don't. Stick figures count. A simple border counts. A small star next to a key word counts. Visual elements should add meaning, not create pressure.
Step 5: Date your entry and keep going
Date every entry. This simple habit turns your journal into a spiritual autobiography. Future you will be grateful. Then keep showing up — not perfectly, but consistently.
The SOAP Method — Your Journaling Framework
The SOAP method is one of the most popular Bible journaling frameworks in existence. It was popularized by Wayne Cordeiro in his book The Divine Mentor and has since been adopted by millions of believers worldwide.
SOAP stands for:
S — Scripture Write out the verse or passage you're studying. Word for word. Don't paraphrase yet — write it exactly as it appears in your translation. The act of copying Scripture by hand is itself a form of meditation.
Example: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." — Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
O — Observation What do you notice about the text? What words stand out? What's surprising, repeated, or puzzling? This isn't interpretation yet — it's observation. You're describing what you see.
Example: "Paul says 'all this' — but what does 'this' refer to? Looking at the context, it's about being content in any circumstance — hunger, abundance, need, plenty. The strength isn't for achieving goals; it's for enduring all conditions."
A — Application How does this verse speak to your specific life right now? What does it ask you to change, trust, or do? This is the most personal section — no wrong answers.
Example: "I've been anxious about the job situation. This verse reminds me that contentment isn't something I manufacture — it's something God supplies. I want to stop striving and start trusting."
P — Prayer Write a short prayer in response to the verse and your application. It can be as simple as: "God, help me believe this today." It can be longer if you feel moved. The prayer closes the loop between reading and living.
Example: "Lord, I don't feel content right now. But I believe you're the source of strength for every circumstance. Help me lean on that truth today, especially when the anxiety kicks in. Amen."
Bible Journaling Prompts to Get You Started
Sometimes you sit down to journal and your mind goes blank. These prompts can help you move from the page to your heart:
- Write a prayer based on today's verse, as if it's a letter to God.
- Draw what peace feels like — abstract shapes, colors, or a simple scene.
- List five ways this verse has been true in your past.
- Write the verse in your own words, without looking at the original.
- Imagine you're the person in the Bible story — what do you see, hear, and feel?
- Write what scares you about fully believing this verse.
- Find a cross-reference — another verse on the same theme — and write how they connect.
- Draw a symbol that represents the main idea of the passage.
- Write a letter to a friend explaining what this verse means and why it matters.
- Write what obedience to this verse would look like in your week.
Mix and match these. Some will resonate; others won't. That's normal. Use what helps you engage, skip what doesn't.
Common Questions (and Reassurances)
"I'm not creative — can I still Bible journal?"
Absolutely. Written journaling requires zero artistic ability. If your idea of art is a stick figure and a cloud, you can still do this. The words you write matter far more than any illustration you add.
"Is it okay to write in a Bible?"
This is entirely a personal and cultural decision. Many Christians have written in their Bibles for centuries — underlining, annotating, and marking passages is a common devotional practice. There's nothing in Scripture that forbids it.
If it feels wrong to you, use a separate journal. If it feels worshipful to you, go ahead. Wide-margin journaling Bibles are specifically designed for this purpose.
"What book of the Bible should I start with?"
For beginners, the Psalms are ideal. They're already written as personal prayers and cries to God — they feel naturally journal-like. The Gospel of John is another excellent choice because it's deeply personal and focused on Jesus's character and teachings.
Avoid starting with Leviticus or Revelation. Not because they're unimportant — they're not — but because you'll have more context for them after you've journaled through the Psalms and the Gospels.
"How long should each journal entry be?"
There's no minimum. Some days you'll write a page. Other days you'll write two sentences and that's enough. The goal is consistency, not volume.
FAQ
What is the purpose of Bible journaling? Bible journaling deepens your engagement with Scripture by moving you from passive reading to active response. Writing, drawing, or reflecting on a verse helps you internalize it, personalize it, and carry it through your day.
Do I need a special journaling Bible to start? No. Any Bible works. Wide-margin journaling Bibles are helpful if you want to draw or write directly on the pages, but a regular Bible plus a separate notebook is a perfectly good starting point.
How is Bible journaling different from a prayer journal? A prayer journal focuses primarily on your conversations with God. A Bible journal focuses on Scripture — you read a passage first, then respond through writing or art. Many people combine both practices in the same journal.
Can children do Bible journaling? Yes, and it's a wonderful practice for kids. Simple coloring pages based on Bible verses, drawing scenes from Bible stories, or copying a short verse are all age-appropriate forms of Bible journaling.
How do I stay consistent with Bible journaling? Keep your supplies visible and accessible. Link journaling to an existing habit — morning coffee, bedtime routine, or lunch break. Start with just five minutes and don't aim for perfection. Consistency matters more than length or quality.