How to Start Bible Journaling as a Beginner (Simple & Meaningful Guide)
If you’re new to Bible journaling…
You might be feeling a mix of excitement… and a little overwhelm.
Where do I even start?
What do I read?
Do I need all the supplies first?
What if I mess up my Bible?
Friend, take a deep breath—you are not alone.
Bible journaling isn’t about being artistic or having the perfect setup. It’s about creating space to meet with God in a way that feels personal, meaningful, and life-giving.
Let’s walk through a simple way to begin—step by step.
Step 1: Start with Scripture (Don’t Overthink It)
One of the biggest questions beginners ask is:
“What should I read?”
Instead of flipping randomly or feeling stuck, start with something guided.
Each month, I create a set of free Scripture prompts based on a specific theme to help you begin without the overwhelm.
👉 Get this month's FREE Scripture Prompts HERE
You can start right there—just choose one verse a day and spend a few quiet minutes with it.
That’s actually why I started creating these monthly themes—so there would always be a clear, simple place to begin.
And from that, Draw Near Daily was created.
Draw Near Daily is a Scripture journaling subscription designed to help women grow closer to God through simple, consistent time in His Word. Each month includes carefully chosen Scripture prompts, reflection guidance, and creative tools that remove the stress of “what should I study next.” Available in both digital and printed formats, Draw Near Daily supports a gentle, grace-filled devotional rhythm you can return to month after month.
👉 Draw Near Daily Journaling Subscription
If you don’t have a guide yet, you can also:
- Start with a favorite Psalm
- Read through a Gospel (like John)
- Or choose a theme (like God’s promises, identity in Christ, or peace)
The goal isn’t to read a lot—it’s to connect deeply with even one verse.
Step 2: Choose a Simple Study Method
Once you have your Scripture, the next question is:
“What do I do with it?”
This is where having a simple method makes all the difference.
I personally use the BLESS Method, which breaks your study into meaningful, manageable steps:
- B – Bible: Read the verse
- L – Listen & Pray: Ask God for understanding
- E – Explore: Learn what it means
- S – Study: Focus on key words
- S – Summarize: Write what God is showing you
You don’t have to do it perfectly. Even just working through one or two steps is a beautiful start.
If you’d like a little more guidance, we offer a variety of BLESS Method journals in different sizes and styles—so you can choose what feels most comfortable for your quiet time.
👉 The BLESS Method of Bible Study
Some women love a smaller, simple layout. Others prefer more space to write and reflect. There’s no right or wrong—just what helps you stay consistent and connected.
Step 3: Give Yourself Space to Write
Now comes the part many people worry about…
“Where do I write all of this?”
If your Bible doesn’t have wide margins (or you don’t want to write directly in it), this is where having extra space is so helpful.
That’s exactly why I love using Bible Side Notes alongside a BLESS Method journal.
They:
- Stick right into your Bible
- Made exclusively for us by Post-it®
- Give you plenty of room to write
- Keep everything connected to the Scripture you’re studying
👉 Get Your Bible Side Notes HERE!
It’s such a simple way to keep your thoughts, prayers, and insights all in one place—without feeling cramped or messy.
Step 4: Keep It Simple (You Don’t Need All the Supplies)
It’s easy to scroll through beautiful journaling pages and think you need:
stickers, washi tape, markers, highlighters…
But here’s the truth:
You only need:
- Your Bible
- A pen
- A willing heart
Everything else is just a bonus.
If you enjoy being creative, you can absolutely add:
- Stickers or stamps
- Washi tape
- Light coloring or doodling
👉 Our Most Popular Devotional and Journaling Products
But don’t let “not having enough” stop you from starting.
Step 5: Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
This might be the most important part.
Your Bible journaling does not have to be:
- Pretty
- Neat
- Pinterest-worthy
It just needs to be real.
Some days it might be a full page of notes.
Some days it might just be one sentence.
Both matter.
Because what you’re really doing is building a relationship with God—and that happens one small, faithful step at a time.
A Simple Way to Start Today
If you’re still wondering what to do next, here’s an easy starting point:
- Choose one verse
- Read it slowly
- Ask God what He wants you to see
- Write one thought or prayer
That’s it.
You’ve already begun.
What Do I Need to Start Bible Journaling? (Beginner Checklist)
If you’re just getting started, here’s a simple list to help you begin without overwhelm:
- A Bible
- A pen
- A guided plan (like Draw Near Daily)
- A simple study method (like the BLESS Method)
- Optional: Bible Side Notes or a journal for extra space
If you’d like to see everything in one place, I’ve gathered my favorite tools and resources here:
Remember—you don’t need to have everything before you begin. Start simple, and build as you go.
Closing Encouragement
Friend, you don’t need to have it all figured out to begin.
You don’t need the perfect Bible.
You don’t need the perfect system.
You don’t need the perfect words.
You just need to show up.
And when you do—you’ll find that God is already there, ready to meet you.
