[If you haven’t read Creative Worship 101: Bible Journaling For Beginners – Part One, please head on over to that introductory post prior to reading this one.]
In Part Two, I will continue to share information and tips for Bible journaling for beginners. I’d like to start with a short step-by-step list that I use in my own creative worship. It’s a great resource for keeping on track throughout the process if you don’t already have a process.
How To Bible Journal Step-By-Step
STEP #1
Open yourself up to be honest, sincere, and authentic with God.
We cannot lie to the Lord, so the first thing we should do is allow ourselves to be raw and vulnerable with Him.
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
Psalm 139
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Once we realize this, we will no longer feel like we could or even should try to hide things from our glorious King. Our Father knows all.
STEP #2
Prepare your heart and mind.
Read devotionals. Listen to worship music.
Can anybody else think of something you could do to set your heart on the Lord?
…What about reading the Bible?
STEP #3
Don’t forget to talk to Him!
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and the room you’re in with His presence. Then ask God to guide you toward the things He wants you to learn and/or discover.
STEP #4
What is God saying?
Be still. Quiet yourself and listen for God’s voice. Write down what the Lord says to you or the truths He reveals.
I understand that it’s difficult for some to discern the difference between His voice and your own. But the more time we spend in the Word the more likely we are to recognize what truly sounds like God. Consider praying to God and asking Him to give you a better ear for His voice.
Alternatives:
- study notes
- sermon notes
- song lyrics
- memory verses
- your own personal prayers, thoughts, and feelings
STEP #5
This or That AKA Choices.
This is where you decide what medium(s) you’re going to work with and if you have a certain color scheme in mind.
STEP #6
Create and Meditate.
While you draw, color, paint, glue, or simply take notes, focus your heart and mind on the scripture(s) you’re working on.
STEP #7
Document the date.
Bible journaling is a journey of your faith. Regardless what you create or draw and whether it’s in your Bible, journal, or a piece of canvas, you should document the date. This way you (and maybe even your grandchildren) will have a record of when you created that specific page.
STEP #8
Praise Him!
Thank the Lord! Thank Him for all He’s doing in your life. Also, thank Him for giving you the ability to create for Him. Thank Him for what He spoke to you during your time spent creating or for what you learned. Give Him all the glory!
You can find the printable version of this Step-By-Step guide HERE.
Tools To Use
Let’s go over a short list of some basic tools you’ll want and may already have lying around the house.
- pencil
- manual pencil sharpener
- eraser (preferably white eraser)
- pen (black ink)
- colored pencils or crayons
- highlighter (OPTIONAL)
Additional Mediums:
[This is not an exhaustive list. The mediums and tools you could possibly use in your journaling are endless.]
- watercolor pencils
- Inktense pencils/blocks
- fineline archival pens – black and colored
- Faber-Castell pitt artist pens (or similar markers)
- gelatos
- distress crayons
- watercolor paints
- acrylic paints
- acrylic ink
- archival inkpads and stamps (both clear and rubber)
- distress inks
- distress oxide inks
- chalk pastels
- wax pastels
- stain or ink spray
TIP: Do not use oil paints or oil-based products. There is not enough information on using these types of mediums on your delicate Bible pages. Oil can continue to soak into your pages long after the project is completed. My advice is to steer clear of any oils and that way you can be confident that your Bible will remain intact.
Supplies I’ve Used
| ITEM | WORTH IT! | BRAND |
| acrylic paints | Liquitex | |
| acrylic ink | Amsterdam or Liquitex | |
| adhesive craft tape | ||
| archival ink pens | X | Tombow |
| books on different art techniques | ||
| books on doodling | ||
| books on handlettering | ||
| clear cling stamps | ||
| clear acrylic blocks | ||
| colored pencils $$$ | X | Prismacolor |
| coloring books (for tracing) | ||
| book: Complete Guide to Bible Journaling | X | |
| date roller stamp | ||
| decorative napkins | ||
| diecut machine $$ | X | BIGkick/BIGshot or Cricut |
| diecuts | ||
| distress crayons | ||
| distress ink pads (+blending tool) | ||
| distress markers | ||
| embellishments | ||
| ephemera | ||
| gel pens | X | Pilot G-2 |
| gelatos | ||
| gesso (clear) $$ | X | Art Basics or Dina Wakely |
| gesso (white) | X | Liquitex |
| glue and glue sticks | Elmer’s Craft Bond | |
| heat gun $ | X | Ranger Heat-It |
| heat-resistant craft mat $$ | X | Ranger |
| highlighters | ||
| ink pad (archival) | Ranger or Tsukineko | |
| ink pad(solvent) | ||
| journal / art book | Dylusions | |
| journaling Bible | X | the Illustrating Bible or an interleaved Bible |
| journaling cards | ||
| label maker | ||
| magazines | ||
| notebook | ||
| paint brushes for acrylics | ||
| paint brushes for watercolors | ||
| paper (cardstock) | ||
| paper (decorative) | ||
| paper trimmer/cutter | ||
| paperclips | ||
| pencil sharpener (non-electric) | ||
| pencils | ||
| post-it notes | ||
| punches (corner rounder & 3-hole) | ||
| punches (tabs, shapes, etc.) | We R Memory Keepers | |
| ruler | ||
| scissors | ||
| sponges | ||
| spray bottle (small) | ||
| stamp cleaner (optional) | ||
| stamps – clear & rubber | ||
| stencils | ||
| stickers (alphabet) | ||
| stickers (images & words) | ||
| tabs (books of the Bible) | ||
| tabs (decorative) | ||
| tip-ins | ||
| washi tape | ||
| water brush | ||
| watercolor paints $$ | X | Kuretake Gansai Tambi |
| watercolor pencils | ||
| white eraser |
What Translation?
You can find some great information that will help you understand and choose one of the many different Bible translations. You can find the chart and detailed explanations at https://www.mardel.com/bibletranslationguide
Ideas For the Artistically Challenged
for those who are artistically challenged, I’d like to share some ways you can create without any specific talent or skill in art.
- printables
- mixed media: stamps, stickers, and washi tape
- trace it (lightboxes are super inexpensive, or you can use an app on your phone or tablet) tip: print images from the web. outline image with black marker/sharpie and trace. * or use coloring books
- tape it in (use sticky notes and washi tape, as they are both removable)
- use distress inks to lay down color
- paint scraping
- paint splatters
- stencils and/or spray ink
- use Bible journaling kits: they can come with diecuts, journaling cards, stickers, washi tape, embellishments, and an array of different mediums to try (Open Journey, Illustrated Faith, Creative Retreats, By the Well 4 God, etc.)
- gelatos
- use rubon letters & images
- napkin decoupage
- bubble painting
- finger painting
- graphite transfer
- smoosh painting
- use hymnals – you can either journal in the hymnal book, like you would your Bible, or use hymnal pages as embellishments in your Bible or journal.
- masking it
TIP: white gel pens can really add an amazingly artistic look to your letters and art.
#1 Thing To Remember
DON’T GET FRUSTRATED!
Remember, Bible journaling is about worship, highlighting scriptures that stand out to you, and remembering what God has done and what He’s teaching you. It is NOT an art contest. If Bible journaling is stressing you out, it’s time to reevaluate your process. As much as I love creative worship and Bible journaling, it is NOT for everyone.
Finishing Touch
The Bible journaling for beginners information and tips I’ve included in both Part One and Part Two of this series should give you all you need to know to get started with your own Bible journaling journey.
I pray you look at this as an adventure, where you will discover, learn, and try new things. We are creative Christians, creating for a creative God! Ready, set, GROW!
PIN FOR LATER
Got thoughts? Ideas? Advice? Encouragement? Let us know in the comments below...