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Do you yearn to enhance your study of the Scriptures and dive deeper into the treasures of God’s Word? In this article, Bible Bullet Journaling 101, Shannon Leibold shares how this creative Bible study method can help you interact with God’s Word. This method is sure to engage your mind and creativity!
It’s a mind-blowing truth: God invites us to meet with Him each day. This is the God of the universe. The One Who flung stars into space with the breath of His mouth. He invites us to have an intimate conversation with Him. As a result, the wonder of this should motivate us to spring out of bed each morning. In fact, it should compel us to open our Bibles in eager expectation to hear from Him.
However, far too often, spending daily time in God’s Word becomes a duty instead of a delight. We race through a passage to check it off our ‘Good Christian Girl’ list. Meanwhile, the distractions of daily life hijack our thoughts and, as a result, steal our intimacy with God. If asked later in the day what we read in the Bible and how God spoke to us, we often struggle to remember. Please tell me I’m not alone?
How can we still our racing minds, welcome the Holy Spirit, and savor the Scriptures? Furthermore, what can we do to move from merely reading the Word of God to mining the depths of treasure on its pages?
What is Bullet Journaling?
One thing that has helped me ease this tension is bullet journaling. First, a quick bullet journaling 101: bullet journaling is an analog system of note-taking designed in order to organize your thoughts and track information. It is customizable for all people in all situations. Bullet journaling is used for a variety of purposes, including Bible study.
Bullet journaling can help you interact with the Bible in a way that engages your mind and creativity, increases comprehension and retention. Plus, it’s a whole lot of fun in the process!
A HELPFUL TOOL
The beauty of this tool is that it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. For example, some bullet journals are merely bullet point notes and symbols written with an ordinary blue pen. Others feature artistic, colorful, and intricate layouts designed to be both functional and attractive. And the rest lie somewhere in-between.
Regardless of which type you choose, your unique journey with the Lord can be beautifully documented in a bullet journal. My prayer is that this simple tool will lead you to a more consistent, joy-filled, and life-giving pursuit of God through His Word.
Bible bullet journaling can help you interact with the Bible in a way that engages your mind and creativity, increases comprehension and retention, and is a whole lot of fun in the process.
BIBLE BULLET JOURNALING MATERIALS
- Bullet Journal (our favorite due to the paper thickness, interior pocket, and color options)
- Colored Pens (these erasable gel pens are the perfect choice for bullet journaling)
- Highlighters (these dual-tipped highlighters are also great for highlighting in your Bible)
- Stickers (optional)
- Washi Tape (optional)
- Stamps (optional)
Bullet Journaling 101
- Rapid Logging: First, as you read a passage of Scripture, use bullet points to jot down things you notice. Look for important details, questions you have, and truths you discover. These short-form sentences, paired with signifiers (see below), visually organize your notes.
- Signifiers: Signifiers are symbols with predetermined meanings used in order to give your notes context at a glance. First, create a customized system of signifiers. Perhaps signify the character of God with a triangle (representing the Trinity), promises with a star, or questions God asks His people with a question mark.
- Collections: Next you’ll group similar information together on a fresh page. Perhaps you want a collection on the attributes of God, the prayers in Scripture, or verses about God’s sovereignty. Create collections of similar information based on how God is speaking to you through His Word.
- The Index: Undoubtedly, you will want to number your pages and set up an index at the front of your journal to keep track of all your collections so they are easily accessible.
BIBLE BULLET JOURNALING IDEAS
Bullet journaling is as boundless as your creativity. Before you start, here are some Bible bullet journaling 101 ideas to help:
Notes and Goals:
- Bible Reading Goals: Create a layout for the month detailing your Bible reading goals. Include a way to check off these passages once you’ve read them.
- Books of the Bible Tracker: Create a visual representation of the 66 books of the Bible categorized by genre. For example, sketch books lined on a shelf. Then, as you finish reading them, color in the spine of each genre with a different color.
- Bible Study Log: Do you want to read the Bible in a year? Then keep track of every chapter you read using a Bible study log.
- Sermon Notes: Take notes, doodle, and create infographics during your pastor’s sermon in order to capture the heart of the message. Afterwards, consider sharing with your small group.
Lists and Categories:
- Favorite Bible Verses: Create a collection of your favorite Bible verses by topic so that you have references easily accessible.
- Psalms: Categorize the Psalms based on the emotions expressed in them. Then represent each category visually.
- Prayer Requests: Create a prayer journal page that tracks both your prayer requests and how God is answering them.
- Gratitude List: Discipline yourself to find five things each day that you are grateful for. Then jot them down in a gratitude list.
Bible Study Helps:
- Topical Bible Study: As you are studying Scripture, keep an ongoing list of things you learn about specific biblical themes. For example, light and darkness, fire, covenant, trees, Sabbath, etc.
- Key Words/Lists: While focusing on one chapter of Scripture, write down the keywords. Then compile a list of everything you learn about that word. Additionally, you may consider looking up that word in the original Hebrew or Greek in order to add to your understanding.
- Handwritten Scripture: If a passage jumps out at you and you sense God speaking, consider writing it out in your bullet journal and documenting your response.
- Action Steps: Studying the Bible is meant to transform our beliefs and behavior. So keep a record of how you will apply the truths of Scripture to your daily life.
- Scripture Memory: Memorizing the Bible is an excellent way of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. Record your memorization goals and track completion.
- Paraphrase Passage: Re-writing Scripture in your own words helps increase comprehension and retention. So create a layout of the original text on one side and your paraphrased version on the other.
BULLET JOURNALING FOR BIBLE STUDY
If you Google “bullet journaling for Bible study,” you will be flooded with images of stunning and imaginative layouts. These can be inspiring or paralyzing.
A word to the wise: Don’t let perfectionism hinder you. After all, the goal is not perfectly designed pages. Rather, it’s growing deeper in your relationship with the Lord. Your bullet journal is merely a tool to help you approach the Scriptures with fresh eyes. Linger in the pages of His Word each day. As a result, His truth will inevitably fill your heart with light and joy.
THE INVITATION
Doodling, pretty lettering, artistic representations, setting goals, tracking what you’ve read, taking notes about important points, and journaling your prayers. Without a doubt, all these things enhance your interaction with Scripture.
God is inviting you to meet with Him. So then, the question is, will you accept the invitation?
Was this bullet journaling 101 helpful? Have you ever tried bullet journaling or have Shannon’s ideas inspired you to give it a try? Share your experiences, tips, and ideas with us in the comments.
This article originally appeared in
THE SIMPLIFY ISSUE
of The Joyful Life Magazine
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2 comments
I have read about bullet journals, but not concerning the bible. This is very intriguing. What I like about it is that you are creating a journal that suits you.
Yes! It’s just another way to get into God’s Word.