Bible Journaling: A Complete Guide to Deepening Your Faith Through Scripture

What Is Bible Journaling?

Bible journaling is a devotional practice that combines Scripture reading with personal written reflection. Instead of passively reading verses, you engage actively — writing down what a passage means to you, how it applies to your life, and what God may be revealing through the text.

While the term "Bible journaling" has become associated with artistic lettering and illustrated margins, the practice is fundamentally about deepening your relationship with Scripture through writing. The creative element is optional. What matters is the reflection.

The tradition stretches back centuries. Early Christians kept spiritual commonplace books. Jonathan Edwards maintained a journal of "Resolutions." Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote extensive Scripture meditations during his imprisonment. Today, Bible journaling takes many forms — from handwritten notebooks to various journal types adapted for devotional use.

Why Bible Journaling Transforms Your Faith Life

Bible journaling isn't just a devotional trend. Research across psychology, education, and neuroscience shows that writing about meaningful texts creates measurably deeper engagement than reading alone.

The pattern across these studies is clear: writing about faith doesn't just feel meaningful — it measurably changes how deeply you process and internalize Scripture.

How to Start Bible Journaling (4 Steps for Beginners)

You don't need artistic talent, a specific journal, or hours of free time. Here's how to begin:

Step 1: Choose Your Format

There are two main approaches:

• Physical journal: A blank notebook, a wide-margin Bible, or a dedicated Bible journal. Best if you prefer handwriting and tactile engagement.
• Digital journal: An app on your phone or tablet. Best if you journal on the go, want searchability, or prefer typing. Tools like Life Note offer AI-guided Scripture reflection with mentors including Jesus Christ, C.S. Lewis, and Augustine.

Either format works. What matters is consistency, not tools. If you're new to journaling entirely, our guide to starting a journal covers the fundamentals.

Step 2: Pick a Reading Plan

Don't try to journal through the entire Bible from Genesis. Start with one of these:

• Psalms (30-day): One psalm per day. Rich emotional content that naturally invites reflection.
• Proverbs (31-day): One chapter per day. Practical wisdom that applies directly to daily life.
• Gospel of John (21-day): Focus on Jesus' words and actions. Ideal for deepening your relationship with Christ.
• Sermon on the Mount (7-day): Matthew 5-7. Dense teaching that rewards slow, written reflection.

Step 3: Use the SOAP Method (Beginner-Friendly)

The SOAP method gives you a simple framework for every journaling session:

• S — Scripture: Write out the verse or passage.
• O — Observation: What do you notice? Context, key words, repeated themes.
• A — Application: How does this apply to your life right now?
• P — Prayer: Write a prayer in response to what you've read.

This takes 10-15 minutes and works for any passage.

Step 4: Set a Consistent Time

Morning works best for most people — Scripture reflection before the day's noise begins. But any consistent time is better than a "perfect" time you skip. Even 10 minutes of written reflection three times per week builds a meaningful practice.

What a Bible Journal Entry Actually Looks Like

Seeing a real example is worth more than theory. Here's the same passage journaled two ways — a surface-level entry and a reflective one:

The first entry is a summary. The second is a conversation with God through the text. Notice how the SOAP method guided the writer from observation to personal honesty to prayer — that's the transformation Bible journaling makes possible.

7 Bible Journaling Methods Compared

There's no single right way to journal through Scripture. Here are seven approaches, from simple to in-depth:

Most experienced Bible journalers blend methods. You might use SOAP on weekdays and verse mapping for deeper Saturday study. The key is finding what keeps you consistently in the Word.

30+ Bible Journaling Prompts

Use these prompts when you're not sure what to write. They're organized by purpose so you can match the prompt to your current need.

Prompts for Daily Devotion

1. What is God saying to me through today's passage?
2. Which word or phrase stood out most? Why?
3. How does this passage challenge something I currently believe or do?
4. Write today's key verse in your own words.
5. What is one specific thing I can do today based on this Scripture?
6. Where have I seen this truth at work in my own life?

Prompts for Difficult Seasons

7. What promises does God make in this passage that I need to hold onto right now?
8. Write a prayer asking God to help you trust this truth during [your current struggle].
9. How does this passage speak to what I'm going through?
10. What would it look like to fully surrender this situation to God?
11. Write about a time God was faithful in a past difficulty. How does that encourage you now?

Prompts for Gratitude & Praise

12. List 10 things God has done for you this week, then connect each to a Scripture verse.
13. Write a psalm of praise in your own words, modeled after Psalm 103.
14. What character quality of God are you most grateful for today?
15. How has God answered a prayer you'd forgotten you prayed?
16. Write about someone God placed in your life as a blessing.

Prompts for Character Growth

17. Which fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) do I most need to grow in? Why?
18. Where am I being called to forgive someone? Write about it honestly.
19. What does this passage reveal about a blind spot in my life?
20. How would Jesus respond to the situation I'm facing?
21. Write about a recurring sin pattern and what Scripture says about overcoming it.

Prompts for Deeper Study

22. What was the historical context when this was written? How does that change its meaning?
23. Compare this passage in two different translations. What new insight emerges?
24. Find three cross-references for today's verse. What pattern do you see?
25. What does the original Hebrew or Greek word mean? How does that deepen the verse?
26. How does this passage connect to the overall narrative of the Bible?

Prompts for Prayer & Intercession

27. Rewrite today's passage as a personal prayer.
28. Who in your life needs to hear this verse? Write a prayer for them.
29. Use the ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) to journal through this passage.
30. What is the Holy Spirit prompting you to pray about after reading this?
31. Write a letter to God about what this passage stirs in your heart.

For more prayer-focused prompts, see our prayer journal guide with 50+ additional prompts and the ACTS method explained in detail.

Bible Journaling: Traditional vs. Digital

Both approaches have real strengths. Here's an honest comparison:

Our recommendation: If you value creative expression and tactile engagement, go physical. If you want searchability, guided reflection, and the ability to journal anywhere, try a digital approach. Many people use both — a physical journal at home and a digital app during commutes or travel.

AI-Guided Bible Journaling: A New Approach

One of the newest developments in Bible journaling is AI-guided reflection. Instead of journaling alone, you write about a passage and receive thoughtful follow-up questions and perspectives drawn from centuries of Christian thought.

Life Note takes a unique approach here. Rather than using generic AI, it's trained on the actual writings of history's greatest minds — including Jesus Christ, C.S. Lewis, Augustine, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Thomas Aquinas. When you journal about a passage from Romans, you might receive a reflection drawn from how Augustine wrestled with the same themes. Journaling through the Sermon on the Mount, you could receive perspective informed by Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship."

This isn't a replacement for personal Bible study, prayer, or church community. It's a tool that helps you go deeper in your own reflection — like having a conversation with a thoughtful friend who knows Scripture well.

A licensed psychotherapist who uses Life Note called it "life-changing" for clients integrating faith into their therapeutic work.

How an AI-Guided Bible Journal Session Works

1. Read your passage — Open your Bible or Bible app to today's reading.
2. Write your initial reflection — What stood out? What confused you? What challenged you?
3. Receive guided follow-up — The AI draws on Christian thinkers to ask deeper questions: "Augustine wrote about this tension between grace and law — where do you see that tension in your own life?"
4. Continue the dialogue — Write more. The reflection deepens with each exchange.
5. Save and review — Your entries are saved and patterns in your spiritual growth become visible over time.

How to Journal Through Specific Books of the Bible

Different books invite different journaling approaches. Here's how to get the most from each:

Psalms

The Psalms are emotional and personal — perfect for expressive journaling. Write your own psalm in response. If David is crying out in anguish, write about what makes you cry out. If he's praising, write your own praise. Try this: after reading a psalm, write "My Psalm" underneath and compose your own version using the same structure but your own situation. Psalm 23 becomes "The Lord is my shepherd in this season of uncertainty at work..." This practice has been used by Christians for centuries and remains one of the most powerful Bible journaling techniques.

Proverbs

Proverbs are practical. For each chapter, identify the one proverb that most applies to your current situation and write about why. Keep a running list of "proverbs for my life right now." The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters — one per day for a month. After 30 days of journaling through Proverbs, you'll have a personalized collection of wisdom directly applicable to your life.

The Gospels

Place yourself in the scenes. If Jesus is teaching, write about what it would feel like to be in the crowd. If He's healing someone, write about what in your life needs healing. The Gospels are richest when you journal from inside the story. Try Ignatian contemplation: read a Gospel scene, close your eyes, imagine yourself there — what do you see, hear, smell? Then write about the experience. Where were you standing? What did Jesus say directly to you?

Paul's Letters

Paul is theological and practical. Verse mapping works especially well here — take a dense verse from Romans or Ephesians, break it apart word by word, and write about what each phrase means for your daily life. For example, Ephesians 2:8-9 contains at least six major theological concepts in two sentences. One verse can fuel a week of journaling.

Old Testament Narratives (Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Ruth)

These stories are about people making decisions under pressure — exactly what you do every day. Journal about the characters' choices: What was Abraham thinking when God asked him to leave everything? What was Ruth's internal dialogue when she chose to stay with Naomi? Then ask: where am I facing a similar choice? The Old Testament narratives are not ancient history — they're mirrors for your own faith journey.

Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)

The prophetic books confront injustice, call for repentance, and point toward hope. Journal about what these passages say to modern life: What injustice do you see around you? Where is God calling your community to repentance? What hope does this passage offer for situations that feel hopeless? The prophets are uncomfortable — and that discomfort is exactly what makes them powerful journal material.

Building a Bible Journaling Rhythm That Lasts

The biggest reason people stop Bible journaling isn't lack of interest — it's lack of structure. Here's a weekly rhythm that balances depth with sustainability:

A Sample Weekly Schedule

This structure works because it blends quick daily entries with one deeper session per week and a review for continuity. If this feels like too much, start with SOAP three times per week. You can always build up.

When You Miss Days

You will miss days. Every Bible journaler does. The key is having a simple restart: open your journal, write today's date, and copy one verse that speaks to you. Don't try to "catch up." God's grace covers the gaps in your journal just like it covers everything else. The practice is about faithfulness over time, not perfection in any single week.

Monthly Review

Once a month, read back through your entries. Look for:

• Recurring themes: What is God repeatedly drawing your attention to?
• Answered prayers: Mark these. Your journal becomes a testimony of God's faithfulness.
• Growth areas: Where were you struggling a month ago that you've made progress on?
• Unanswered questions: What are you still wrestling with? These are often where the deepest growth happens.

Over months and years, this monthly review transforms your Bible journal from a devotional tool into a spiritual autobiography — a written record of your walk with God.

Common Bible Journaling Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

• Trying to be artistic when you're not. Bible journaling doesn't require drawing. Writing is enough. If art stresses you out, skip it entirely — the reflection is what matters.
• Journaling too much at once. A 45-minute session you do once a month is less valuable than 10 minutes three times a week. Consistency beats intensity.
• Only writing what you think you should feel. Be honest with God in your journal. The Psalms are full of anger, doubt, and frustration. Your journal should be too.
• Never reviewing past entries. Monthly review of your journal reveals patterns in your spiritual growth that you can't see day-to-day. Schedule a 15-minute review at the end of each month.
• Treating it as academic study only. Balance head knowledge with heart response. After you analyze a passage, always ask: "What does this mean for my life today?"

Bible Journaling for Different Life Stages

For New Believers

Start with the Gospel of John and the SOAP method. Don't worry about getting it "right." Your journal is a conversation with God, not an exam. Write what you notice, what confuses you, and what excites you.

For Parents

Family Bible journaling creates powerful conversations. Read a passage together at dinner, then each family member writes one sentence about what it means to them. Share aloud. This builds spiritual habits that last.

For Those in Crisis

When life is falling apart, the Psalms of lament (Psalm 13, 22, 42, 88) give you permission to be honest with God. Write your pain alongside the psalmist's words. You'll find you're not alone in your suffering — and that honesty before God is itself an act of faith.

For more on journaling through difficult emotions, our spiritual journaling guide covers how to explore signs, symbols, and deeper meaning through reflective writing.

FAQ

What do you write in a Bible journal?

In a Bible journal, you write personal reflections on Scripture passages — what a verse means to you, how it applies to your life, prayers in response to what you've read, and observations about themes or patterns. You can also copy verses, write in your own words, or trace topics across multiple books. The SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) provides an easy starting framework.

Is Bible journaling the same as Bible art journaling?

No. Bible art journaling is a subset that emphasizes creative elements like hand-lettering, illustration, and decorating wide-margin Bibles. Bible journaling more broadly includes any form of written reflection on Scripture — art is optional. Many effective Bible journalers never draw at all.

How long should a Bible journaling session be?

Most people find 10-15 minutes ideal for daily practice. Even 5 minutes of focused written reflection is more valuable than passive reading. For deeper verse mapping or topical studies, set aside 20-30 minutes. Consistency matters more than session length.

Can I do Bible journaling digitally?

Yes. Digital Bible journaling offers advantages like searchability, portability, and AI-guided reflection. Apps like Life Note provide mentorship from Christian thinkers including Jesus Christ, C.S. Lewis, and Augustine, helping you go deeper in your Scripture study. Physical journals offer tactile benefits, so many people use both approaches.

What Bible is best for Bible journaling?

For physical journaling, wide-margin Bibles (ESV Journaling Bible, NIV Journal the Word) provide space to write alongside verses. For digital, any Bible translation works since you write separately. The ESV, NIV, and NLT are popular choices — pick whichever translation you understand most clearly, as comprehension matters more than literary style for journaling.