Bible Journaling 101: How to Start Your Journaling Bible

There’s something special about opening your Bible and staying with a verse that speaks to you. Bible journaling is a beautiful way to slow down, listen, and let God’s Word sink deep—not just into your mind, but into your heart.

Through Bible journaling, you can add colors, sketches, or simple words that capture what God is teaching you in that moment. Over time, your journaling Bible becomes a reminder of your walk with Him—full of prayers, reflections, and little signs of His faithfulness.

If you’ve been curious about starting a Bible journal but weren’t sure where to begin, this guide will walk you through it—from choosing your first journaling Bible to decorating your very first page with meaning and purpose.

What Is Bible Journaling?

Bible journaling is the practice of responding to Scripture through notes, drawings, hand-lettering, or other creative mediums—right in your Bible or in a separate notebook. It’s a way to interact with the Word, not just read it.

Think of it as combining Bible study, prayer, and art. When you illustrate a verse, color-code your notes, or write heartfelt prayers in the margins, you’re giving yourself more ways to remember and live out Scripture.

Choosing Your First Journaling Bible

If you’re new to this, you might wonder: Can’t I just use any Bible?

Yes and no. While you can absolutely start in any Bible you have, a journaling Bible makes the process much easier.

Look for:

• Wide margins — so you have space to write and draw.
• Thicker paper — to prevent bleed-through from pens and colored pencils.
• A translation you love — this makes your time in the Word feel more personal.

Popular choices for beginners:

• ESV Journaling Bible
• NIV Journal the Word Bible
• CSB Notetaking Bible

💡 Tip: If you’re not ready to write in your Bible, start with a blank notebook or sketchbook and use it as your “Bible journal” instead.

Must-Have Bible Journaling Supplies

You don’t need an entire craft room to start Bible journaling—just a few well-loved tools that make you excited to open your Bible. Think of these as your little “faith and creativity” toolkit.

Here’s my beginner-friendly list:

• Journaling Bible – Your main canvas. Choose a translation you love reading, with wide margins for notes or art.
• Washi tape – Perfect for borders, page tabs, or dividing sections. It adds color without covering the text.
• Colored pencils – Gentle on thin Bible pages, and they won’t cause wrinkling or bleed-through.
• Archival pens – Fade-resistant so your words last for years (and can be read by future generations!).
• Stickers and ephemera – Ideal if you want instant beauty without having to draw.
• Highlighters – Use different colors to mark themes like love, grace, hope, or promises.

And here’s a little secret: you can absolutely mix and match Bible journaling with junk journaling supplies. If you want a ready-to-go set of decorative pieces, my Junk Journal Kit Sample is filled with vintage-inspired elements that work beautifully in Bible pages, devotionals, and prayer journals.

Starting a reflection journal can be helpful in starting your bible journaling. You can check this post, too. ❤️

How to Start Your First Bible Journaling Page

Let’s be real—the hardest part of Bible journaling is often… starting. That very first blank page can feel like it’s staring right back at you. But here’s my gentle, no-pressure process to make it less intimidating and way more enjoyable:

1. Choose a verse or theme
   
    Pick something that speaks to you right now—maybe a verse about love, peace, or renewal. You’re not picking the “perfect” one, just one that feels personal today.
   
2. Pray or pause
   
    Take a deep breath. Whisper a short prayer. Sit quietly for a moment. This step turns your journaling into a heart-to-heart with God rather than just an art project.
   
3. Sketch lightly
   
    With a pencil, lightly map out where your verse will go, any doodles, and where you might want decorative lettering. Think of it like creating a cozy little home for your verse on the page.
   
4. Add color and texture
   
    Bring in your favorite washi tape, colored pencils, or stickers to add warmth and personality. Color is one of the easiest ways to make a page feel alive.
   
   
5. Write your reflections
   
    This is the soul of Bible journaling—your personal notes, prayers, or something God whispered to your heart while you were reading.
   
   

💡 Remember: Perfection is not the goal here—connection is. The beauty of Bible journaling is that every page is a visual reminder of your walk with God, imperfect and real.

Creative Ideas for Your Bible Journal Pages

Once you finish your first page (yay, you did it! 🎉), your mind will start buzzing with possibilities. Here are a few ideas to keep the inspiration flowing:

• Illustrated verses – Doodle little flowers, hearts, or even a tiny sunrise beside the words that touched you most. Don’t worry if you’re “not an artist”—this is about joy, not perfection.
  
  
• Word art – Hand-letter that one word or phrase from the passage that really grabs your heart. Think of it as giving God’s Word a visual “highlight.”
  
  
• Color coding – Assign a color to each theme—pink for love, blue for faith, yellow for hope. It’s like creating a visual map of your spiritual journey.
  
  
• Monthly scripture challenges – Pick a new verse each week to illustrate or reflect on. By the end of the month, you’ll have a little gallery of faith-filled art.
  
  
• Tabs and tags – Use washi tape, ribbons, or even handmade paper tabs to mark your favorite entries. That way, you can flip back to them on days when you need a boost.
  
  

💡 Your journal isn’t just a book—it’s a growing garden of faith, with every page adding a little more beauty to your walk with God.

Making Bible Journaling a Habit

Honestly, the prettiest pages in the world won’t mean much if your Bible journal just sits on a shelf. What makes the real difference is showing up—even if it’s just for ten minutes.

Here’s what’s been working for me:

• Set a specific time. I love doing mine with my morning coffee—it feels like my heart gets “caffeinated” too. But you might prefer cozy evenings when the house is quiet.
  
  
• Keep all your supplies in one basket. If I have to hunt for my pens, it’s over. One grab-and-go spot removes all the excuses.
  
  
• Pair it with your regular Bible study or devotional. That way, you’re not trying to squeeze in a whole new habit—you’re simply adding a creative layer to something you already do.
  
  
• Find your people. Joining an online Bible journaling group gives you fresh ideas, friendly accountability, and the joy of sharing what God’s teaching you through art.
  
  

Before you know it, opening your Bible with a pen or paintbrush will feel as natural as turning the page.

Final Thought on Bible Journaling

Bible journaling is a gentle way to slow down and meet God on the page. It’s a place to capture what He’s teaching you—one verse, one page, one little doodle at a time.

All it really takes is a few quiet minutes, an open heart, and the willingness to show up. Over time, you’ll look back through your pages and see a story only you and God could write together.

✨ If you want to make starting easier, my Junk Journal Kit Sample has ready-to-use elements perfect for your journaling Bible—just print, cut, and glue to bring your pages to life.

Love and Light,