What’s your favorite way to study the Bible?
Maybe you like to have an open journal next to you to record your thoughts.
Or maybe you keep a separate prayer book.
You might even paint after reading the Word every morning!
But did you know that there’s a way to do all those things in one place?
Journaling Bibles are a recent addition to the Bible study tools used by many modern Christians. A journaling Bible is simply a Bible with wide margins or extra space on the pages.
The name is self-explanatory! For many people, a journaling Bible is simply a way to make notes on Scripture next to the verses. It streamlines the Bible study process and means you don’t need to bring an extra notebook to church.
But there are many ways to use a journaling Bible beyond simply taking notes! Here are four creative ways to use your journaling Bible.
1. Record important life events.
It’s a journal, after all!
Think about how key events in your life relate to the Scriptures you’re studying. How have you seen God’s Word play out in your life?
Take the time to record those moments for your future encouragement. You’ll love looking back and remembering the ways that God worked.
Your family will love it, too! You can record events from the lives of your loved ones as well, like birthdays, engagements, graduations, and weddings, alongside their favorite passages.
You can even follow the example of generations past and set up a family tree (with photos) in the front of your journaling Bible.
It’ll be a cherished book of memories for generations to come!
2. Get artistic!
Many journaling Bibles feature sturdy pages, allowing you to explore your creative side as you take notes and record your thoughts.
You can use colored pencils, calligraphy pens, or even paints and brushes to express yourself!
Maybe you love to hand-letter verses as you memorize them. The wide margins of a journaling Bible are perfect for stylish layouts and plenty of color.
Or you might prefer to try watercolors as a background to your favorite passage from the Gospels. The pages of most journaling Bibles will hold up to paint and brushes, so you can get artistic as you pray and meditate on the Word.
As you add more illustrations to your Bible, it will become an even more personal reflection of your relationship with Jesus and His work in your life!
3. Record your personal or family prayers.
Do you keep a journal for prayer requests and answered prayers? You may find that a journaling Bible is just what you need to organize those requests and answers at your fingertips.
If a verse you’re studying sparks a prayer, scribble it down in the margins! The next time you read that verse, you’ll be able to remember what you prayed for—and record God’s answer.
Some journaling Bibles offer a section of blank pages at the beginning or the end of the book. If you’d rather see all your prayer requests at once, you can use this section and organize it your way!
Make a point of recording your family prayers as well as your personal requests. It’s important for your children to know that God answers prayer, and a written record in your journaling Bible can be a simple way for them to see that.
4. Ask others to write you notes of encouragement.
If you’re coming up on an important life event — whether it’s a graduation, a wedding, or a birthday — the people around you are probably preparing to give you cards and letters full of their good wishes and prayers.
Ask them to write in a journaling Bible instead! They can write a note next to their favorite verse or a verse they’re praying over you, or they can choose to illustrate a verse with calligraphy pens or colored pencils.
The long margins will even give them space to write entire letters to you if they’d like.
When you receive the Bible, you’ll have a collection of prayers and loving messages alongside the Word of God. And you’ll probably discover something new every time you flip a page!
Ready to try out one of these ideas? Find a journaling Bible today and get started!
