~~ What is Bible Journaling? ~~

So, awhile back I published a post titled "Which Bible Is Best?"  In that post, I highlighted some common methods of Bible study to be expounded upon later.

Here is the list I cited:

1. Reading and highlighting verses that stand out or speak to you
2. Notetaking inside bible only
3. Notetaking but in separate notebook only (could also include scripture art journaling)
4. Book/ Chapter/ Topic studies
5. Inductive Study marking
6. Study Bible
7. Devotional Bible
8. Bible Journaling (could also include scripture art journaling)

I am not sure that there is a definitive order in which these should be delved into for further info. Most of the first half of the list is pretty self explanatory. However, I do know that I am going to skip to the last one first. lol

I have fallen in love with Bible journaling and think that you might, too, if you haven't already.  I am still in the beginning stages of it, I suppose. I have been journaling for a few months. I know more about the process than I have actually been able to do, due to time or resource constraints. There have just been too many things going on. 

Be forewarned: it isn't something that everyone will be comfortable with. There is one major reason for that. It requires that you mark or tape things into your Bible. 

There are people of differing opinions on that and some are very strong. Some feel no marking should be allowed whatsoever because it is the sacred Word of God. Some are okay with writing and drawing or stickers but not paint. Some are okay with paint but only if the words show through. There are also those that feel that it is okay to cover the words completely, as long as they have another Bible for reading/ study only.  

I happen to fall into the middle on this. I don't see a problem marking up the "text."  My reason is two-fold.  The first is that it is the Holy Word inspired by God. It is living and breathing and transcends up off of the page in a way no other book can. However, it is important to note that the body of the scripture is what is sacred. The Bibles I just ordered from Christian Book Distributors, that should be waiting for me to pick up, were just printed in the last year or so. They are essentially on new paper. The binding is new, the ink is new and the packaging is new. The book itself is not ancient, antique or otherwise valuable. They seem only as words printed upon the page - UNTIL you read them. That, to me, is when the scriptures become more than just a book, perspective wise. Whether you read it or not does not change its truth or actual value but how you view it. However, I don't happen to believe in covering the words. In that respect, it is the soverign Word of God and should remain intact. I feel that whomever picks that Bible up should be free to be led by the Spirit to see a particular passage or verse. If the words are completely covered, this is not possible. I would want, in no way, to stand between that person and what revelation or epiphany they may have otherwise come to.

Having said all of that, what good is a Bible, even if it holds the black and white answer to every problem there ever was, if you don't read it?  In order for it to impact you, you have to become familiar with what it says. Bible journaling is one way of doing that. That leads me to the second reason I am good with marking in the Bible. That is the purpose of drawing closer to God through drawing and making notes of particularly important verses or passages in your journey and your faith walk.

Often my inspiration has, so far, come from other sources. I can explain more about that in the next journaling post. These graphics have mostly come from Pinterest.  The abide entry was through my studying that passage and the ideas for which study tools to add were mine. I also washi taped around one of my dad's favorite verses, Psalm 23. On the following page, I washi'd around one of mine, Psalm 27. It is skinny washi. I believe 3mm. It is about a 1/4" wide.

     

Maybe it is not to fear that fires you up. Maybe you need to keep going over your identity in Christ because you were always told you were worthless. Maybe you need to be reminded of His promises to get you through the tough times because you need to know something good really is coming . These are the things that help lead you to what to journal. You highlight whatever speaks to you and find a way to illustrate that on the page or put a doodled border around it, etc. Whatever connects you to that scripture at a glance so that you can revisit it again and be reminded of God's response to your situation or a trial or valley that you went through that He brought you up out of is your reason. Or, maybe you want to add maps, charts, song lyrics, or some other study tools. 

         

In  the back of my cover, I added the map of the Twelve Tribes. I also added a map of the mistry of Jesus (not pictured), as well as the Hebrew calendar with month conversions to the January through December one that is widely in use now. It tells what the weather would have been like and they crops, etc. In the front part of my Bible, the other two pics are the books colorized by type (Law, Wisdom & Poetry, Prophets, Letters, etc. The last is a page for marking the Dr. Horner reading plan. I had aspirations of filling it up be have not been able to as of yet. It still has the ability to help me keep track of chapters that I have read. I also like the idea of tabbing sections, such as the Old and New Testaments, for easier flipping. In the above pic, I have actually tabbed the Contents and colorized by type of book. I had later decided to add the bookshelf pic.  The red taped tab is for the New Testament but red symbolizes the blood of the Lamb. I am planning to add a super hero on the last pic because God is my hero and my defender.

Bible journaling serves as a visual reminder of the relationship that you have with Him, your heart's response in worship to Him and His words of wisdom and grace. It could also just bring you closer in your knowledge of who God is and how the earth has gotten to this point so far. All of this works together to help you keep reading, seeking and reaching. The individual's view of the Bible goes from a perfect and sacred document to a personalized love letter and instruction booklet. It becomes something tangible to cling to when they need comfort because they can see the promises and possibly the answers to prayers, if they have noted them. There is so much good to be found in journaling. It can be therapeutic. 

 

 

However, there is an alternative idea method that will still allow for all of that and still not place a single mark in the Good Book.  That is scripture art journaling.  A scripture art journal can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. You can use a 50 cent composition journal from Wal-Mart and illustrate your scriptures in that, if you choose. You could also get a hardback journal of any size, even 8x11 and journal there. You don't even need a "journal."  You could use a 17 cent spiral bound notebook and the result is the same. It is all in what makes you most free to draw close to Him. 

"Well, that is great and all but I don't need to do any of that to draw close to God. I can pray and do that."  Yes, you can. There is no push in this post to convert everyone to what I find joy in.  If  you feel it isn't for you, then, so be it. It is only another means to an end, in terms of worship and study. 

However, if you are still with me and interested in what the big deal is, let me show you.  Maybe you have started hearing about it and clueless what it is. Maybe you have seen items labeled for it at the craft stores. Maybe you have heard of Washi tape but have no idea what that is or why you need it. Or, conversely, maybe you have not only heard of it but have fallen in love with it already and are only reading this post to see if you can find any tips. 😉 

Rest assured, I will follow with another post soon and list some there. I don't want this to become too long and cause an issue with load times on phones, etc. I think I have hit that point already. I will give a part two with types of methods and ideas of supplies you can use, as well as where to get things.

💖Be blessed and have the beginning of a wonderful week.