Welcome to the colorful and expressive world of Bible journaling! This creative practice combines the reflective reading of scripture with visual arts, making it a unique way to deepen your faith and explore the Bible in a personal and engaging way.
Whether you find joy in sketching, painting, lettering, or simply annotating with colorful highlights, Bible journaling provides a canvas for your spiritual expressions. It’s about connecting with God’s Word in a way that is meaningful to you, turning your Bible into a living journal where faith and creativity intersect.
Here are some of the best Bible journaling supplies that you can use. Let’s embark on this beautiful journey together, one verse at a time!
Paper Types
Printable Papers
Imagine the possibilities when you can print your own designs or choose from countless pre-made templates to add to your Bible! Printable papers are a versatile choice for those who love to personalize their journaling experience. They’re perfect for adding background layers, scripture printouts, or custom illustrations that resonate with your faith journey.
Printable papers are resizeable too, so you can print the size you need.
Kraft Paper Sticker Sheets
Kraft paper sticker sheets offer a rustic charm that complements any page. Their earthy tones are ideal for creating themed labels, whether you’re marking significant passages or categorizing insights. They stick easily, blending seamlessly with the parchment-like pages of most Bibles.
Printable Sticker Sheets & Vellum
Like printable Kraft paper sticker sheets, white or clear printable sticker sheets are a perfect go-to for quick and easy embellishments too, perfect for dates, titles, or key points. Having a cutting machine such as a Cricut or Silhouette will make using them even easier. With the clear sticker paper, you’ll still be able to still see your scripture underneath.
On the other hand, printable vellum introduces an ethereal layer to your pages, allowing you to overlay artwork or text without losing sight of the scripture beneath.
This creative Bible journaling duo provides a balance between functionality and beauty, enhancing your pages without overwhelming them.
Fabrics for Journaling
Ribbon & Yarn
Adding ribbon or yarn to your Bible or prayer journal brings a delightful splash of color and texture. Use them as bookmarks to highlight special passages or weave them into the spine for a personalized touch.
Their versatility extends to decorative borders or even attaching other elements to your pages, such as tags, paper clips, or small keepsakes that hold personal meaning.
Printable Fabric & Canvas
For a touch of texture, printable fabric brings an innovative twist to traditional journaling. This fabric can go through your home printer, allowing you to transfer your favorite biblical images or texts onto a material that softly melds with the pages of your Bible.
It’s a lovely way to add depth and a tactile element to your studies.
Continuing the theme of tactile elements, printable canvas allows for even more customization creating a multi-dimensional journaling experience. You could even create a new cover for your Bible using printable canvas!
Best Writing Utensils for Bible Journaling
Highlighters & Micron Pens
Highlighters are the unsung heroes of Bible journaling, allowing you to illuminate key verses without bleeding through the delicate pages. The gel Bible highlighters are my favorite.
Pair them with Micron pens, renowned for their precision, archival-quality ink, and waterproofing, you have the perfect duo for both highlighting and detailed artwork or lettering. In my opinion, the best Bible journaling pens are Microns. They are great for writing in small spaces, too! I love the colored Micron pens, they add so much to my artwork.
You might want a white gel pen to add highlights or “lights” to your journaling and a gold gel pen looks beautiful, too.
Colored Pencils & Watercolor Pencils
Colored pencils provide a broad spectrum of colors for detailed illustrations without the page bleed-through that some other art mediums cause. They are inexpensive and a great starting tool for those new to Bible journaling.
Watercolor pencils offer a unique blendability that mimics the effect of watercolors with the control of a pencil. They’re perfect for adding a pop of color or creating soft, watercolor washes that bring your pages to life.
Markers
Markers are all about vibrant colors and ease of use. Keep in mind that markers will bleed through on some thinner Bible pages though.
If you want a great option with finer tips, try Crayola Super Tips. Affordable and versatile, they’re excellent for filling areas with color, detailed lettering, or even creating fine lines and doodles. They will quickly become a staple in your journaling kit.
Bible Journaling Art Supplies
Watercolors & Washi Tape
Watercolors add a serene, painterly touch to your pages, perfect for backgrounds or accentuating illustrations. Be careful with regular watercolor paints since soaking your Bible pages with water can end in disaster in some cases.
Washi tape, available in countless designs and textures, is semi-removable with care. You can easily add decorative borders, secure photos or paper elements, or add a whimsical touch to your Bible pages. They are so pretty!
Stamps, Sticky Notes, & Journaling Cards
Stamps provide consistent, themed imagery, from floral designs to biblical icons, adding depth and character to your journaling. Stamps are commonly used in scrapbooking and junk journaling; you might already have some on hand. Use high pigment inks with them for the best results.
Sticky notes are great for temporary thoughts, annotations, or as a non-permanent journaling solution. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors making them a versatile option for adding your personal touch to your Bible.
Journaling cards (printable and physical options exist), whether tucked in or glued down, provide additional space for reflections, prayers, or quotes, enriching your Bible journaling experience. You can even create a little storage pocket with a journaling card.
Stencils and Traceable Bible Journaling Printables
Traceable bible journaling printables are great for every creative level, even for those who aren’t confident in their freehand drawing but still want to include artistic elements in their journaling. There’s a range of designs out there, from simple shapes to intricate patterns, allowing you to trace directly onto your Bible pages.
Check my shop for a variety of digital designs that you can use over and over! All you have to do is trim the artwork to size and slip it behind your Bible page for easy tracing.
Plastic stencils are also available to put over the top of your Bible page and then trace. This journaling method can add a professional touch to your work, making complex designs accessible and fun.
Premade Digital Bible Art
In the digital age, premade digital Bible art offers endless possibilities. From downloadable coloring book pages to detailed digital stencils, these resources can be printed and incorporated into your Bible.
Downloadable digital Bible art is an easy way to make professional-quality artwork a part of your personal journaling experience without the need for advanced drawing skills.
Closing Thoughts: Embark on Your Bible Journaling Journey
Remember that Bible journaling is a personal and spiritual practice that reflects your individual journey with God. There are no rules or limits to your creativity—every page is a new opportunity to explore your faith and express your devotion in colorful, imaginative ways.
Pick up your pens, paints, and papers, and let your heart lead the way. Share your creations, inspire and be inspired by others, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of this beautiful journey.
Your Bible is not just a book; it’s a canvas for your spiritual exploration and connection with God, a diary of your faith journey. By sharing your journaling with others, it’s also a ministry.
Happy Bible journaling!
