If you ask a bunch of readers whether they write in their books or not, you get a strongly-polarized response.  The note-takers believe strongly in their note-taking as an essential part of interacting with the author and his words.  The non-note-takers believe strongly in their pristine pages as the only way to truly respect a book.  A similar phenomenon carries over to Bible readers — whether we’re talking about traditional notes or artistic journaling.

Bible journaling/Scripture journaling has become a popular activity.  If you’re among the ranks of Bible journalers, you understand this already, and you’ll appreciate this book.  If you’re in the “never write in books, especially the Bible” camp, please try not to take offense at your sisters and brothers who find this a benefit to their spiritual lives.  And keep in mind that all of the following can be done in an “extra” Bible or a separate journal if you’re not comfortable writing on your primary reading Bible, or with writing in the Bible at all.

Bible Journaling Made Simple

Many believers have found Scripture journaling to be an enjoyable and effective means of meditating on Scripture.  The process of creating an image around a verse or a passage of Scripture demands that the artist immerse him- or herself in the Scripture at hand.  But many of us find ourselves both drawn to this practice and intimidated, because we “aren’t artists.” That’s where this book comes in.

Bible Journaling Made Simple does a remarkable job of being both incredibly artistic and easily accessible for beginners.  In fact, I would recommend it as a resource for learning art skills even if you have no intention of Bible journaling!

The book begins with background information — what Bible journaling is and why it’s popular, having a process, approaches that fit your comfort zone (whether you draw in the Bible or elsewhere, for instance), etc.  This background information is followed by important basics, such as what supplies you need and how to choose and test them.  There’s nothing crazy or expensive here.

The remainder of the book is very practical how-to’s.  These are comprised by a combination of three types of tutorials.  First, there are specific instructions for creating individual elements.  For instance, the section on flowers shows three specific types of flowers that are simple to draw, and how to make them.  It then shows examples of these floral examples in the context of full designs.

Second is design information.  Choosing colors and color combinations (color theory), placing imagery, choosing words, outlining images, transferring images, perspective, etc.

Finally, there are step-by-step demonstrations of how entire layouts were created.

The end of the book features some advanced designs just for inspiration (no tutorials).  Sprinkled throughout the book are templates for tracing, specific tips and tricks, etc.  It’s extremely practical and very approachable even for those of us who are a bit art-challenged.

Lest you should think that the emphasis on how to do the art pushes the Scripture itself into the background, let me assure you that is not the case.  The beginning and the end of the book both emphasize the true purpose of Bible journaling, and this idea continues to filter through the bulk of the book.  (Speaking of pushing Scripture into the background, this book also avoids doing so in a more literal sense.  Many Scripture journaling images I’ve seen obscure the surrounding text so it is unreadable.  Not a single piece of art in this book, as far as I can tell, makes the text on the Bible page unreadable.)

Bible Journaling Made Simple exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it.