Bible Journaling Notebook Ideas You’re Gonna Love
Are you looking for Bible journaling ideas for your notebook to make your time in Scripture more meaningful? If you’re brand new to journaling or just want some fresh inspiration, these are the styles and layouts worth trying in your own notebook.
In Bible vs. Notebook Bible Journaling
If you’ve looked into Bible journaling or Bible journal yourself, you know that there are sooooo many ways to go about it. When I first became interested in it, I was soooo overwhelmed.
There are YouTube videos and Instagram flip-throughs and blog posts… oh my goodness. It can be easy to forget that the whole point is to spend time with God and interact with His Word! It’s very tempting to let the journal become the point.
In my own experience, Bible journaling happened in layers. I knew if I got too caught up in the aesthetics, I was missing the point.
So for me personally, I had to let the study of Scripture come first, and then the aesthetics later.
In this blog post, I shared how I read, study, and journal the Bible inside of my Bible. I like to keep what I’ve learned right next to Scripture, so I can instantly have access to that any time I’m reading my Bible.
However, I also use a separate notebook for some things God speaks to me. This is more of a faith art journal that includes what I’m learning in my Scripture study, but also other things He drops in my heart along the way.
Today, I’m sharing ideas for what to do specifically with a separate Bible journal notebook (rather than writing directly in your Bible).
You can check out that post to see what I do inside my Bible if you like – and there are a ton more out there, too. But today’s goal is to inspire you for things to do inside your notebook. A separate notebook gives you a lot of freedom in how you approach each page – and a lot more space!
Below I’m going to share a handful of ways to do it — with real examples to show you what each one looks like in practice.
Creative Ways to Create a Bible Journal Notebook
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My biggest encouragement to you – and I think any Bible journaler would say this – is don’t focus on perfection. The art really, really is secondary. It’s about your time with the Lord and what He’s saying.
And some of my ‘best’ pages were ones that started out awful or I had no idea where I was going. And even then, it’s totally OK if it feels ‘less-than’ when you’re finished. God made you to be creative.
Sometimes it’s a skill we learn over time – and that’s fine. And sometimes it doesn’t even have to be that; it’s just so good for us to learn to relax in His presence and enjoy that process, wherever it leads.
1. Illustrated & Drawn Pages
This method is exactly what it sounds like: pages with hand-drawn or mixed media art — paired with a verse or passage. The drawing is often the main focus of the page, with the Scripture worked into or around it. This can include flowers, banners, small scenes, or symbolic images.
You don’t have to be a “trained artist” for this. Many versions use simple line art, doodles, or florals rather than detailed illustration, which I personally like to do. Also, mixed media art is perfect if you don’t consider yourself an artist!
Mixed Media Art
This is a page I recently did based on the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9. The ideas of ‘tables’ really stood out to me, and I connected that to Psalm 23.
This was done with a collage paper background (that you cannot see at all anymore!), white gesso and acrylic paints. The picture of the table setting is from a magazine. I used a white stencil, some letter and heart stamps, and then just some lines and splatters in gold and white.
This is an example that demonstrates mixed media techniques using paper, paint and lettering, all highlighting a Scripture verse as well. Beautiful art from @bekkahloo.
Simple Drawings
This page came from the study of Ruth, actually! The idea of refuge under wings came up in that text, and I followed that imagery in Scripture. It’s not a fancy drawing – I actually Googled to find an image I could copy (that’s totally acceptable to do!). Then, I just added Scripture in my own handwriting and watercolors.
This is an example from Deja Drewit that includes a very simple tree drawing to depict the Bible verses in John about the Vine and the Branches.
Symbolic Art
Kim Pepper is a master when it comes to faith journaling. You can see how she took this passage from Deuteronomy and interpreted it symbolically with a magnifiying glass. The art is simple, but the image is so powerful.
Art Inspired from Scripture Passages or Themes
For this method from Melissa at Think About Such Things, she focuses on an illustration that represents the theme of the armor of God, but the notes are really the main piece of this page. You can do this for a character study, an entire passage of Scripture, or other motifs you’re noticing.
Collage Style
Using collage paper technique is a really beautiful way to create a Bible journal. It’s easy and the more imperfect, the better. You can handwrite portions of Scripture, add stickers, and other ephemera.
This is another example that is beautifully done by @reson8ed. It includes a type-written verse, a handwritten prayer, and all kinds of color embellishments that make it truly artistic in nature.
Junk Journal
If you want to go all out, you can actually create a junk journal to use as your Bible notebook. This is very artistic, but you don’t really need traditional art skills. It’s all in the composition. This is more of a time-consuming project to create the journal first, then use the journal for your Bible notebook..
These pages are from a kit I created based on Scripture focused on rest, God’s love, and God’s provision.
You can purchase other pre-made kits on Etsy based around a theme or passage of Scripture you’re studying. Or each page can have a different Scriptural theme as you go.
This is another page by Deja Drewit, that has more of a junk journal feel with collaged papers, envelopes, and tucks.
This junk journal from @willowboundjournals has more of a vintage feel and absolutely can work as a Bible journal notebook!
2. Lettering-Style Pages
These pages focus on the words themselves — a verse written in decorative hand-lettering or calligraphy, sometimes with additional decoration.
In this case, think of it as treating the verse like a piece of typography or wall art. If you like to experiment with different kinds of pens, love calligraphy, or just pretty handwriting, this is a great way to enhance your study of Scripture.
Or sometimes, the notes are really the main focus, and color and drawings enhance it.
In either case, the words are the focus rather than the imagery or art.
Lettering a Verse with Color and Imagery
This example from Patricia Tiffany Morris highlights the major Bible verses in that passage. The lettering is the focus, but it includes color and imagery as well.
Two-Page Bible Verse Spread
This example from Daevora Hosanna shows a 2-page spread with the main Scripture verse in the middle in simple but stylish handwriting, with images and other notes all around it.
Minimalist Lettering
In this example I create, the lettering and imagery is very simple and plain, just using a few simple lettering techniques. Sometimes less is more!
Scripture Doodling
This has become a very popular way to process Scripture, and it’s actually one of my favorites! As you can see above, I also use worship songs in my Bible journal, not just Scripture verses.
The text is still the focus, but the little bits of art that are included really enhance the meaning of the text.
The symbols don’t have to be related to the text – they can be just artistic – but sometimes, it’s a mix of both.
3. Scripture & Sermon Notes
For your Bible journal, you may really want to focus on the notes of Scripture over the art and lettering. That’s great, too! You can add just a little bit of color and imagery, even if the notes are your main point for journaling.
These techniques can be used for your own personal Scripture notes, sermon notes, or Bible studies you’re going through.
One popular structured approach you may have heard of is the SOAP method — Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. You write out the verse, jot down what stands out to you, note how it applies to your life, then close it out with a short prayer.
I don’t always follow it that strictly myself, but you’ll see bits of that structure sprinkled through some of the examples below.
Doodle Notes
This is an example from Pinterest from sermon notes that have a doodle | bullet journal style. The focus is on the notes, but color and small pictures and highlights enhance it.
Sermon | Bible Study Notes Highlights
This is a method for faith journaling that I adapted from Create with Christie. These are from my pastor’s message.
I just created a page with the main text or theme in the middle, and 3 or 4 main points artistically conveyed all around it. It has definitely helped me remember the sermon better!
Beginner-Friendly Simple Notes and Stickers
This example just shows the focus of the page being the notes on the Scripture, but the stickers add color make the page pretty. Zero art skills required!
Lettering and Notes as Art
This is an example of Scripture notes from @amandaarneill that is absolutely an artistic expression using lettering and art for Scripture notes. But the content of Scripture still shines through!
Scripture Writing
This Bible notebook page from @jessa_crownedbyjesus showcases Scripture writing, which is a great practice to write out verses grouped by themes, or the same verse in different versions. Or even just the practice of writing Scripture by hand! You can see other colorful embellishments using butterfly stamps and ephemera.
Color-Coded Notes
This example from Patricia Tiffany Morris is a great demonstration of creating color coded notes. Our eyes follow color patterns easily, and this is a great way for our brains to process the Scripture through a colored system.
4. Tabbed Layouts
I personally do not organize my Bible journal. I love the flexibility to just create as I feel led without having to label or organize it. Maybe someday I’ll feel differently – who know?!?
But if you want to organize yours, there are a few ways to do it.
There are a few different organization methods you can use. You can separate sections by:
- Books of the Bible
- Topic
- Date
- Theme
This post from @mypaintedpieces shows you how to create the tabs shown above!
You also can create your own tabs using sticky tabs, dividers, or a hand-drawn index system.
No Right or Wrong Way to Create a Bible Journal Notebook
For sure, this is not an exhaustive list of all the ways you can create a Bible journal notebook.
One thing I did not mention was the use of printables. For this, I mean traceables, coloring pages, SOAP Bible study pages, verse mapping, etc.
That is a future post that I have in the works, so be sure to swing back around this way and check it out!
But I do hope this was able to get you started with ideas for your Bible journal notebook! The important thing to remember is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it, nothing you have to include and nothing that you can’t include.
It’s a reflection of you and what God is speaking to you individually. It’s up to you as to how you want to express that in a way that is truly unique to you.
And don’t let perfectionism steal from this time. There’s no grading system, no goal to achieve – just let it flow from your heart!
I’d love to see what you come up with and how it’s going! Be sure to drop me an email at kate@ahundredaffections.com.
I pray this will be a rich time for you as you engage with God and His Word!
PS: If you’d like to see all my favorite Bible journaling supplies, you can check them out in my Amazon storefront!
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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