I spent Friday and Saturday attending a virtual retreat with wonderful Christian women from all over the world. We are in a Facebook group called Bible Journaling in Faith. Bible journaling has become one of my favorite things to do.
Bible journaling is a process of interacting with portions of Scripture in creative ways. There are many different ways to do Bible journaling. You can take notes over a particular passage. You might even take notes in your Bible during a sermon. You can take notes as you read passages. Some simply copy Scripture. You can illustrate a particular passage which is what I do.
I was skeptical that I would be successful when I started. My first journaling Bible had illustrations in the margins and all I had to do was color. I knew I could color. As I gained more experience, I purchased another journaling Bible. I began to get braver. I began to trace pictures and color them. Carbon paper was making a comeback.
On a whim, I posted on Facebook and asked if anyone in my area was doing any Bible Journaling. I found a wonderful group that meets monthly at a local church. Each time the lessons are prepared for us as well as the materials. It was a great way to learn new techniques. As my techniques grew so did my supply stash.
I am now a member of several Facebook groups for Bible Journaling. I have many journaling Bibles. I have learned so many things and enjoy it immensely.
Is it just about the art? It would be easy for it to become that way. For me, it was a way for me to get in God’s Word at a time when I wasn’t consistently reading the Bible other than small devotions. There is a certain sense of accomplishment when I find the perfect way to illustrate a passage. When I am looking for a way to illustrate a passage, I am reflecting on the passage while I’m finding the best way to illustrate it as well as while I am working on the illustrations itself. It’s not about finding the perfect flower or creating the perfect title. It is another way to hide God’s Word in my heart.
There is opposition to Bible journaling. Some think it is wrong to cover God’s Word. I was raised in an era where you did not write in any book for any reason. It took me a long time to get used to writing in books. Now I am able to take notes freely in any book I own. It is a personal decision whether or not to cover the words in a Bible. I can do it, but not at first. I have Bibles that are specifically purchased for Bible journaling. If I used a Bible I intended to read later, I would not cover the words. You can Bible journal and not cover the words. There are so many options.
Others think it is wrong to focus on just a verse or two. There is always a danger in taking verses out of context. Personally, I always read the surrounding verses so I have a better understanding of the passage. I think it’s important not to confuse journaling with Bible study.
I’ve been Bible journaling for almost 3 years. I’ve accumulated lots of craft supplies. I have filled 3 journaling Bibles. Some entries have prayers included. Others have thoughts or prayers placed in a pocket. My favorite entries are the times I wrote a deep longing or confession to the Lord and then painted over it. It is a great illustration of how He covers our sins.
I’ve provided a link to the free Bible Journaling course that helped me get started. I urge you to try it. You might find a new way to spend time with the Lord.
https://www.biblejournalingministries.com/free-bible-journaling-course-for-beginners/
