How to Start Bible Journaling for Beginners: A Complete Guide

If you've ever wanted to make your Bible study feel more personal and creative — but assumed you needed to be an artist to pull it off — this guide is for you.

Bible journaling for beginners doesn't require fancy calligraphy or hand-painted illustrations. With a few stickers, some stamps, and a little washi tape, you can create meaningful, beautiful pages that deepen your connection to Scripture. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Bible Journaling?

Bible journaling is the practice of responding to Scripture in a personal, creative way — either directly in the margins of a special journaling Bible or in a separate notebook alongside your reading. Think of it as part devotion, part art, part spiritual discipline. It's a valuable way to retain Scripture. The time spent reflecting on a particular verse or theme plus the tactile, visual art, allows it to sink deeper into our minds.

It can look like:

  • Scripture stickers and stamped florals layered over a favorite verse
  • A simple word underlined with a question in the margin
  • Washi tape borders and handwritten prayers
  • Word maps, highlights, and sticky note reflections

There's no single right way to do it — which is exactly what makes Bible journaling so approachable for beginners!

What Do You Need to Start Bible Journaling?

Option 1: A Journaling Bible

A journaling Bible is specifically designed for this practice. It features wider margins (usually around 2 inches) and thicker paper that holds up to stamps and ink pads without bleeding through. My personal favorites are:

  • ESV Journaling Bible — clean margins, sturdy paper, a classic starting point
  • Illustrating Bible — large, spiral bound, oversized 4" margins, thicker paper, ideal for larger artwork

Not ready to write in a Bible? No problem.

Option 2: A Regular Bible + Separate Notebook

Many journalers prefer a dedicated notebook — like a dot-grid journal or sketchbook — alongside the Bible they already own. This is a low-pressure way to begin, and it gives you more room to work with stamps and layered embellishments that can be tricky in narrow margins.

Bible Journaling Supplies for Beginners

You don't need much to get started. A solid beginner kit includes:

Bible Journaling with Stickers and Stamps

Stickers and stamps are the most beginner-friendly tools in Bible journaling. Here's how to use them.

How to Use Stickers for Bible Journaling

Stickers do the creative heavy lifting without requiring any drawing ability — which makes them perfect if artistic confidence isn't your strong suit. Glossy vinyl, clear, and cardstock stickers offer a range of styles. Alphabet stickers help for titles and adding decorative words! Find tons of options here.

How to Use Stamps for Bible Journaling

Stamps take a small investment upfront but offer a lot of creative return. They give you repeatable design elements you can use again and again in any color. Choose from a variety of styles here.

Clear acrylic stamps are the most popular choice for Bible journaling because you can see exactly where you're placing them before pressing down. Peel and place a single design on an acrylic block (works like a firm, easy-to-hold foundation), dab it onto a pigment inkpad, and then press the inked stamp onto your page. You'll get crisp image that layer well with stickers and washi tape.

How to Bible Journal: A Step-by-Step Method for Beginners

Step 1: Choose a Passage.

Our monthly devotional kits are a great place to start! In each devotional, I select a passage, write a digestible devotional, and offer some challenging reflection questions. Before reaching for any supplies, read the passage at least twice. What word or phrase stands out? What question does it raise? What emotion does it stir? Let the text lead you.

Step 2: Choose One Focus

Use your reflection to identify the single verse, word, or idea that resonated most. Focused journaling is almost always more meaningful than trying to illustrate everything at once.

Step 3: Respond Creatively

Now bring in your supplies. Some ideas:

  • Stamp a floral or frame border in your margin
  • Layer stickers around a key verse to draw the eye
  • Write the verse by hand, or use word and letter stickers if hand-lettering isn't your thing
  • Create a simple word map branching out from the passage's central theme. I highly recommend the Blue Letter Bible app for in-depth word studies.

Step 4: Date Your Entry

Always add a date. Looking back months or years later at how your faith has developed is one of the most meaningful parts of keeping a Bible journal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bible Journaling

Do you have to be artistic to Bible journal?

No! Bible journaling isn't about producing beautiful art — it's about engaging more deeply with Scripture. Stickers and stamps exist precisely because not everyone wants to draw freehand, and pages built entirely from pre-made elements are just as spiritually meaningful as hand-illustrated ones.

Can you Bible journal without writing in your Bible?

Absolutely. Many beginners and experienced journalers prefer a separate notebook for exactly this reason. The spiritual value is identical — use whichever format helps you engage most honestly with the text.

How long does a Bible journaling session take?

A creative Bible study session can be as short as 10–15 minutes. Stickers and stamps help here — they're fast. You can also build a page in layers across several days rather than finishing it in one sitting.

Remember!

Bible journaling is a creative Bible study. A conversation between you and God, through Scripture. It's bringing your heart, your questions, your stamps and stickers, your messy handwriting, your honest prayers — and putting it to paper.

Your pages don't need to be perfect. They just need to be yours.