I got a Bible Journal, Now What?!

Hello there folks! I am thankful and excited to officially share my Bible journaling with you! For the past three years I have Bible journaled on an off. I would get really involved in journaling and then get busy and put my Bible in the closet for a while.

I got married to my HUSBAND on November 3, 2018. Here is a quick photo!

On our honeymoon, I had such a desire to dig deeper in the word and get back to Bible journaling! So that is just what I did.

I started Bible Journaling! For Christmas I gave several friends and family custom journaling Bibles. I thought it would be a really good idea to explain the purpose of Bible journaling.

Below is a list of purposes and tips for Bible journaling.

Purposes:

1. To Study and Worship in the Word

   Bible Journaling for me has rekindled my love for Jesus and reading the Bible. I want to read the Bible and draw and study. When I read a passage and then I make a Bible journaling page, I retain the information so much more.

2. To Grow your Relationship with Jesus

   I have found that when I am Bible Journaling, I want to study the word more because it is FUN! I get excited about finding a new verse and meditating on it throughout the next few days.

3. To Make Mistakes

   Bible journaling is about making mistakes. This is a place where you let perfectionism go and you focus on praising Jesus. My journaling Bible’s have a lot of mistakes, spelling errors, smeared ink and crinkled pages. But I love it - when I look at a page and remember where I was during that time. When you Bible journal, DO NOT FOCUS on making the page perfect or like someone else’s. Make it for God!

Tips:

1. Try to start with something simple. If you like a verse or a word, just stick with that word.

2. Do not look at someone else’s work and be upset at yourself if you are not able to “copy” it. This is not Sally’s Bible in your hands, this is YOUR Bible for Jesus.

3. Have a study Bible. I personally have one study Bible that I love and do my in depth Bible study out of. I got this Bible which had a “slightly imperfect condition” and saved 52% on the Bible. I am all about finding a good deal, Bible’s included.

   I then have a journaling Bible that was my first one that I have had for two years. It is a single column Journaling Bible. I have covered up the words in this Bible. This does not bother me, because this is not my study Bible and I use it for Bible journaling or verse referencing.

Supplies:

1. Use acrylic Apple Barrel paint from Walmart. It is only $0.50 a bottle for the traditional colors and paint.

2. Get paint brushes but don’t get the super cheap ones with the acrylic paint. The hairs of the brush I have found fall out in the pages and get stuck. To get them out its really annoying. Here are some good options brush 1, brush 2 and brush 3.

3. Get good pens! A lot of pens bleed though but I have found the best pens that don’t. The are sharpie pens believe it or not! You can find them here.

4. Don’t forget a pencil and an eraser if you want to practice before you write. Any pencil should work, but make sure you have a good eraser. I personally like this pencil and eraser combo.

5. Save money! This hobby is not about buying all of the best products. This is about worshiping Jesus. Use paper plates for your paint, a kids cup for your water a old towel to prevent paint splatter and a basket (this is a set of 4) to keep all your supplies organized.

6. A calligraphy pen! I love the Pentel Arts Sign Pen and the Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke Brush Pen. These are great pens and this gives you the ability to write in calligraphy (with a lot of practice…of course).

7. Journaling Bibles! I have had this Bible the longest and really like it. I just started to use the interleaved Bible, and enjoy this because I do not cover the words when I Journal, I also have more space to letter or paint. This is the Bible that I sell in my shop. For Christmas I got the Illustrated Bible. I found it on sale for $50 on Lifeway on Black Friday. They are out of stock now, on DaySpring but will be back in stock in February of 2019. I have not used this yet, but am super excited to!

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I hope this blog of purpose, tips and supplies helped you! If it did, go follow me on Instagram @mackleelettering and don’t forget to check out my shop if you want to purchase a hand painted Bible.

Have a great day and I am praying for you!

XOXO,

Mackenzie