Bible Journaling for Teenagers
Boy would I have totally enjoyed bible journaling in high school! I was super into collage, crafty type arts and crafts. I think bible journaling would appeal to any artistic teen out there! I found it to be a more interesting way to read the bible and dig deeper into the Word. It’s also a great memory journal to show the growth of your relationship with God as you add to your bible with interpretations, facts, realizations, scripture studies and so on!
I’ve compiled a beginners check list, if you will, on how to get started with bible journaling. Keep reading to find out how to get started right away!
WHAT IS BIBLE JOURNALING?
Bible journaling is reading the word of God, studying the Word via commentaries, books, and other resources, and prayer. Then writing down what you’ve gleaned to further grow in your relationship with God and anything you learned to understand His word better—history, culture, dates, etc.
HOW TO BIBLE JOURNAL
There are many ways to bible journal. Lots of people like to paint lovely pictures or decorate with stickers, tape, and pretty paper. While I use those materials too, bible journaling isn’t an art project or a way to make your bible look nice. Bible journaling is supposed to help you grow deeper with God. Use colors to color code specific themes, sticky notes to write down answers to unanswered questions, washi tape to tape in maps, family trees, or timelines. You get the point right?!
TOOLS FOR BIBLE JOURNALING
Here’s a list of some of the bible journaling materials I use.
washi tape
I write notes and draw bubble maps on the back of my kid’s art pictures and then tape them into my bible with washi tape. Washi tape comes in so many colors and patterns. It’s easily removable incase you want to take notes out or move them around.
scrapbook paper
Use scrapbook paper to take notes, draw maps, or to write down anything significant that will help you understand what you read.
pens
I like to use Papermate Pilot Ball 1.4mm pens. I have multicolored and black. I tend to use mostly black but sometimes it’s nice to switch things up with fun colors. Other colors could be useful for word studies or underlining topical scriptures.
sticky notes
I leave sticky notes in my bible for unanswered questions. However they can really be used for any kind of note taking.
envelopes
Adding envelopes adds an extra pocket for your bible. It’s nice to include those inserts from church or anything additional that may be helpful to reference.
highlighters
I use the Mildliner highlighters. I use them to highlight themes throughout my bible. I use different colors for locations, Jesus’ character, the holy spirit, love, sin, salvation and I could go on!
HELPFUL BIBLE JOURNALING RESOURCES
Reading the bible can feel overwhelming and seem a bit complicated or hard to follow along. I never read the bible as a teenager. As an adult I still find the bible difficult to understand. Jesus speaks in allegories and metaphors that can be tricky. If I struggle as a grown up, I can only imagine how much more difficult it could be as a teen! I’ve included some resources that have been extremely helpful in studying the bible.
Life Application Study Bibles are great because they include commentary at the bottom of each page. The commentary is usually applicable to life and can be applied right away. I found this type of study bible helpful when I was just beginning to learn about Jesus. There are maps, blurbs, and summaries going into each book so you can get a quick overview about each book.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary
The Bible Knowledge Commentary comes in two books: The Old Testament and The New Testament. They are loaded with background information, translations, and explanations of scripture. These books have been instrumental in understanding the history and the culture of the people before and after Jesus.
How to Faith a Life is a YouTube channel ran by a young woman named Faith. She has two kids and her husband is a pastor. She is how I discovered The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Faith teaches about the bible and how to bible journal. Her bible is HUGE because it is filled with many years of note taking. From her videos, I’ve learned how to take meaningful notes from church services, quiet times, and studying on my own. Warning: It will be hard not to binge watch her videos.
