10 Creative Bible Journaling Methods to Deepen Your Faith

Bible Journaling for Creatives and Children with Creativity

Bible journaling is a wonderful way to engage with God’s word and grow in your faith. It allows you to reflect on scripture, express your thoughts and emotions, and create beautiful art that reflects your spiritual journey. If you’re new to bible journaling, or just looking for some fresh inspiration, here are 10 creative bible journaling methods to help you deepen your faith.

1. Verse Mapping

Verse mapping is a method of breaking down a single verse or passage of scripture into its component parts, exploring the meaning of each word, and reflecting on how they work together to convey a deeper message. To verse map, choose a verse or passage that speaks to you, and write it out in your journal. And, take each word in the verse and research its meaning, using a concordance or online tools. Finally, reflect on how each word contributes to the overall message of the passage, and how it applies to your life.

Verse Mapping Steps

1. Choose a verse or passage that speaks to you and write it out in your journal.
2. Break down the verse into its individual parts, looking up any unfamiliar words or phrases in a Bible dictionary or concordance.
3. Consider the context of the verse by reading the surrounding verses or chapters.
4. Reflect on the meaning of the verse and how it applies to your life.
5. Pray about the verse and ask God to reveal any insights or messages he has for you.

Examples for Verse Mapping

Start with this verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

1. Write out the verse in your journal.
2. Break down the verse:

• Trust: Believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
• The Lord: God, the creator and ruler of the universe, the one who loves and cares for us.
• With all your heart: Completely, with your whole being, including your emotions and desires.
• Lean not on your own understanding: Do not rely on your own thoughts, ideas, or reasoning.

3. Consider the context: This verse is part of a passage that emphasizes the importance of wisdom, understanding, and obedience to God.
4. Reflect on the meaning: This verse reminds me to trust in God and not rely on my own limited understanding of situations. I need to have faith that God is in control and that he will guide me in the right direction if I seek him.
5. Pray: Dear God, help me to trust in you with all my heart and not rely on my own understanding. Guide me in the path you have for me and give me the wisdom to make the right decisions. Amen.

2. Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling is a simple but powerful way to deepen your faith and cultivate a spirit of thankfulness. Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for, and reflect on how they reflect God’s goodness and grace. In addition, you can also include scriptures or quotes that inspire you to be thankful.

Gratitude Journaling Ideas

1. List 10 things you’re thankful for today.
2. Think of a time when God answered a prayer for you. Write about how you felt and how you responded.
3. Reflect on a difficult situation you’ve been through and write about three things you learned from it.
4. Write a letter of gratitude to God, thanking Him for all the blessings He has bestowed upon you.
5. Make a gratitude jar and write down something you’re thankful for every day for a week. Read through the slips of paper at the end of the week and reflect on God’s goodness.
6. Think about a person in your life who has been a source of support and encouragement to you. Write a letter to that person expressing your gratitude for their presence in your life.
7. Take a walk in nature and reflect on God’s beautiful creation around you. Write about the ways that nature inspires you and helps you feel closer to God.
8. Write a prayer of gratitude, thanking God for His grace, mercy, and faithfulness in your life.

3. Scripture Doodling

Scripture doodling is a fun and creative way to engage with scripture, combining art and reflection. First, choose a verse or passage that speaks to you, and then create a doodle or drawing that represents the message of the scripture. You can use markers, colored pencils, watercolors, or any other medium you prefer.

Scripture Doodling Steps

1. Choose a Bible verse that resonates with you or that you want to reflect on.
2. Write the verse in the center of a blank page in your journal.
3. Use different colors, patterns, and designs to create an artistic representation of the verse around the center text. You can use markers, colored pencils, or watercolors to add color and texture to your design.
4. As you doodle, reflect on the meaning of the verse and how it applies to your life.
5. Once you’ve finished your design, you can write a prayer or reflection on the opposite page of your journal.

For example, if you choose the verse “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6), you could create a design with a path or road leading to the center text, representing Jesus as the way. Or, you could use different colors to represent the truth and life, and add other design elements to further enhance the meaning of the verse. As you create your design, you can reflect on how this verse speaks to your life and relationship with God.

4. Prayer Journaling

Prayer journaling is a powerful way to deepen your relationship with God and express your heart to him. Write out your prayers in your journal, expressing your thoughts, feelings, and desires to God. You can also include scriptures or quotes that inspire you to pray.

Prayer Journaling Ideas

1. Write out a prayer of gratitude: Take a few minutes to reflect on the blessings in your life, and write out a prayer thanking God for all He has done for you. Be specific and detailed in your prayer, and let your gratitude flow freely onto the page.
2. Pray for others: Make a list of the people in your life who are in need of prayer, such as family members, friends, or those who are struggling with illness or hardship. Write out a prayer for each person on your list, asking God to bless them, guide them, and provide for their needs.
3. Confess your sins: Take some time to reflect on areas of your life where you have fallen short or sinned against God or others. Write out a confession, asking for forgiveness and guidance to overcome these struggles.
4. Meditate on a verse: Choose a verse from the Bible that speaks to you, and write it out in your journal. Spend some time reflecting on the meaning of the verse and how it applies to your life. Write out a prayer asking God to help you live out the truth of the verse in your daily life.
5. Listen for God’s voice: Take a few moments to be still and quiet, and ask God to speak to you. Write down any thoughts, impressions, or insights that come to you during this time of prayer and reflection.

5. Topical Bible Study

Topical Bible study involves selecting a specific topic or theme, and exploring what the Bible has to say about it. Choose a topic that interests you, such as forgiveness, love, or peace, and then search the Bible for verses and passages that relate to that theme. Write down your reflections and insights in your journal.

Topical Bible Study Examples

1. Forgiveness: Study what the Bible says about forgiveness, reflecting on your own struggles with forgiving others or seeking forgiveness yourself. Journal about your own experiences with forgiveness, including any insights or revelations you gain from your study.
2. Joy: Explore what the Bible teaches about joy, considering how you can cultivate joy in your own life. Reflect on the ways that joy has already been present in your life and consider ways to increase it.
3. Love: Study the different types of love discussed in the Bible, such as agape, philia, and eros. Reflect on how you can grow in your ability to love others more deeply and fully.
4. Patience: Examine what the Bible says about patience, considering how you can develop more patience in your own life. Reflect on the ways that you have been tested in your patience and consider how those experiences have helped you grow.
5. Peace: Study the different types of peace discussed in the Bible, including peace with God and peace with others. Reflect on the ways that you can cultivate more peace in your life, both in your relationships and in your own heart.
6. Purpose: Explore what the Bible says about purpose, considering what God has called you to do and how you can live out your purpose in your everyday life. Reflect on the ways that you have already been living out your purpose and consider ways to further develop your calling.

6. Bible Verse Coloring

Bible verse coloring is a relaxing and meditative way to engage with scripture, using coloring books or printables that feature inspirational verses and images. Choose a coloring page that speaks to you, and then color it in, reflecting on the message of the scripture as you work.

Bible Verse Coloring Steps

1. Choose a Bible verse or passage that you want to reflect on.
2. Look for a coloring page or create your own that features the verse or passage.
3. As you color, reflect on the meaning of the verse and how it applies to your life.
4. Pray about the verse and ask God to help you live it out.
5. Once you’ve finished coloring, display the page somewhere prominent as a visual reminder of the verse and its message.

7. Scripture Memorization

Memorizing scripture is a powerful way to deepen your faith and hide God’s word in your heart. Choose a verse or passage that speaks to you, and then write it out in your journal. Repeat it to yourself throughout the day, and reflect on its meaning and significance.

Scripture Memorization Steps

1. First, write out the verse you want to memorize in your journal, then spend time each day reading and reciting it from memory. You can use different colored pens or markers to make the verse stand out, or add illustrations or other decorations to help you remember it.
2. Create flashcards with the scripture verses you want to memorize, and write out the verses in your journal as well. Use the flashcards to quiz yourself and keep track of your progress as you memorize the verses.
3. Then, write out the verse you want to memorize on a sticky note or index card, and place it somewhere you’ll see it frequently throughout the day, such as on your desk, fridge, or mirror. When you see the verse, take a moment to read and recite it from memory.
4. Use mnemonic devices or other memory aids to help you remember the verse. For example, you might create an acronym using the first letter of each word in the verse, or come up with a catchy tune or rhyme to help you remember the words.
5. Write out the verse in multiple translations, and compare and contrast them in your journal. This can help deepen your understanding of the verse and make it easier to remember.

8. Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a method of reading and meditating on scripture that originated in the Christian monastic tradition. Also, it involves reading a passage of scripture slowly and reflectively, and then meditating on its meaning and message. To practice Lectio Divina, choose a passage of scripture and read it slowly several times, pausing to reflect on the words and phrases that speak to you.

Lectio Divina Steps

1. Choose a passage of scripture to read and meditate on. It could be a single verse or a longer passage.
2. Begin by reading the passage slowly and carefully, paying attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you.
3. Meditate on the passage by reflecting on what it means to you personally. Ask yourself questions like, “How does this passage relate to my life?” and “What is God trying to teach me through this passage?”
4. Pray about the passage, asking God to reveal any insights or guidance that he wants to give you.
5. Contemplate the passage by sitting in silence and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Write down any impressions or thoughts that come to mind.
6. Respond to the passage by considering how you can apply its teachings to your life. Then, write down any action steps or commitments you want to make as a result of your time spent with the scripture.

If you want to learn more about Lectio Divina, please read: What is Lectio Divina [A Beginner’s Guide]

9. Creative Lettering

Creative lettering is a fun and artistic way to engage with scripture, using different fonts, colors, and styles to highlight keywords and phrases. How about you choose a verse or passage that speaks to you, and then experiment with different lettering styles to create a visually striking representation of the scripture?

Creative Lettering Examples

1. Hand lettering: This involves writing out words or phrases in a visually interesting way, often using different fonts, colors, and sizes to create an eye-catching design.
2. Illustrated lettering: This combines hand lettering with illustrations or drawings, often incorporating images or symbols that relate to the text being written.
3. Watercolor lettering: This technique involves painting letters or words with watercolors, creating a unique and colorful design.
4. Calligraphy: This is the art of beautiful writing, often using a special pen or brush to create elegant and decorative lettering.
5. Embellished lettering: This involves adding decorative elements, such as floral designs, swirls, or dots, to hand-lettered text to create a more ornate and visually appealing design.

10. Illustrated Faith Bible Journaling Method

The Illustrated Faith Bible Journaling Method is a unique approach that combines journaling and art. It involves using a journaling Bible, or a regular Bible, to create art that complements and illustrates the passage being studied. This method is great for those who love to draw, paint, or color and want to use their creativity to deepen their understanding of Scripture.

Which One Do You Want to Try This Week?

There are many different Bible journaling methods to choose from, and each one offers a unique way to engage with God’s word. Whether you prefer a more traditional approach or a more creative one, the key is to find a method that works for you and allows you to deepen your faith and relationship with God. So why not give one of these 10 creative Bible journaling methods a try and see where your journey with God takes you?