Bible Journaling - Getting Started

If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen pictures of my bible with doodles in it.  I have gotten quite a few questions about it, so I thought I would write a post about my Bible Journaling experience.  I first learned about Bible Journaling about six months ago, when I saw it on Pitter& Glink's Instagram feed.  I thought her illustrations were beautiful and was a creative way of studying the Word.  One thing I struggle with is sitting down and reading the Bible; I do not know where to start and sometimes I find it boring.  I thought that having a way to illustrate what I was reading would make me want to spend more time in the Bible and also help me focus on the meaning of the passage.

My interest in Bible Journaling had been sparked, so when I won a $10 certificate to Family Christian from It Happens in a Blink, I had to go check out this new style of Bible. When I got mine, there were only a couple of options in the store, but I have since seen many sizes, colors, and styles.  I chose the Crossway ESV Single Column Bible in the Chestnut Leather.

Crossway ESV Journaling Bible

Initially, I was not sure where to start, partly because I am not artistic, and partly because I felt strange about drawing in my Bible.  I did not want to mess up the pages!  I took the plunge and illustrated my favorite verse...Isaiah 40:31.  I used colored pencils because I had those on hand and these Bible Underlining Pens. I also picked up when I purchased my Bible.  I printed out the word "FLY" and used a glue stick to paste it in.  It is not my best illustration, but it gave me confidence to keep practicing.

As I began following more people that journal in their Bible, I gained more confidence and started using additional materials.  Check out the #IllustratedFaith hashtag on IG for some of the most beautiful and inspiring illustrations you have ever seen!  

Some of the supplies I use are:

• Gel pens
• Oil pastels
• Colored pencils
• Washi tape (for decorating the page or taping in printables)
• Alphabet stickers
• Printables I download from websites such as Illustrated Faith, and die cuts (I got mine from Little Heavenly Things on Etsy) 

This is one of my favorite entries, Philippians 4:6-7.  I used raised alphabet stickers that I found in the dollar spot at Target, along with washi tape from the Dollar Tree and the lettering was done with colored pencils.  You do not have to spend a lot of money on supplies. You can find most basic supplies at the dollar store or discount stores.

You may wonder how to decide what verses to journal; I am inspired in many ways. Sometimes it is a verse from my daily devotions or one from the pastor's sermon, and sometimes it is a verse or song that pops into my head.  The entry above, from Psalm 118, comes from a song we used to sing to the preschoolers when I taught Sunday School. On this page, I used the pens, oil pastels, and colored pencils.  I do have to mention that the pens bleed through a little because the pages are so thin.  The oil pastels also tend to transfer some color onto the opposite page, but I think they make a sealer you can use to remedy that.

Sometimes I like to just write out the verse and other times I add doodles and pictures, like in the entry from Psalm 23.  Even when the end result does not turn out like I hoped, I am OK with that, because it can always be added to or covered up with stickers or washi tape.  My Bible journaling is a work in progress, much like my life!

I have not been brave enough to use acrylic paint on my pages yet like Bethany from Pitter&Glink (and a lot of others), but the result is beautiful and vibrant!  I have gotten hooked on Bible journaling and look forward to spending time meditating on His Word.  I hope you have learned something and maybe found another way to enjoy your quiet time in the Bible.

Check out my Inspirational and Faith Pinterest board for more ideas.

Follow Real Girl's Realm's board Inspirational and Faith on Pinterest.

Do you have a Journaling Bible or somewhere that you doodle or illustrate verses?  What is your favorite verse?