I Started Bible Journaling With a Pencil… and a Little Nervousness
The first time I tried Bible journaling, I didn’t use fancy pens.
I used a plain pencil.
And I still felt like I might “mess up” the page.
I had been reading my Bible for years.
But adding art felt new. And, if I’m honest, a bit risky.
Then I remembered something simple: the goal isn’t decoration.
The goal is devotion.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
If you’re one of many Christian women over 50 looking for a fresh way to linger with Scripture, this is a gentle place to begin.
How Do I Get Started Bible Journaling?
Start small. Start reverently. Start today.
Here’s a simple path that keeps Bible journaling what it should be: a way to listen, respond, and remember.
- Choose a Bible journaling style that fits your comfort level.
- You do not have to draw.
- Try one of these beginner-friendly options:
- Underline and write a note in the margin
- Write a short prayer beside a verse
- Copy one verse neatly on the page
- Add a simple border (dots, lines, tiny leaves)
- Use color to highlight repeated words (grace, fear, peace)
If you’re walking through purpose after retirement or finding joy after widowhood, simple prayers in the margin can become stones of remembrance.
Gather a few basic supplies (keep it humble)
You can start with what you already have:
- A Bible you can write in (or a wide-margin Bible if you prefer)
- Pencil (yes, pencil counts)
- Black pen (optional)
- A few colored pencils (less bleed-through than markers)
- A ruler or index card (for straight lines)
That’s enough. Truly.
Use a short, steady journaling routine
This helps when life feels quiet, or lonely, or unstructured—common in the second half of life.
Try this 10–15 minute rhythm:
1. Pray: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
2. Read 5–10 verses
3. Write one sentence: “This shows me God is…”
4. Respond with a short prayer
5. Mark one phrase to remember (underline, box, or color)
Pick an easy passage for Bible journaling for beginners
Good places to start:
- Psalm 23 (comfort)
- John 15 (abiding)
- Ephesians 2:8–10 (grace and purpose)
- Proverbs 3:5–6 (guidance)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.”
What If I’m Not Artistic?
You’re in good company. I’m an artist, but I will often keep it simple.
Bible journaling is not a performance.
It is a conversation.
And if you’re seeking faith-based creativity, this can be a gentle doorway—especially if you want to feel steady, useful, and close to the Lord while feeling like you have purpose after retirement.
A Simple Next Step (With Help If You Want It)
If you’d like guidance, here’s a free download for you: Quiet Pages: Bible Journaling for Beginners
It’s my printable starter kit; a tool for stewardship, not perfection.
And if you want a little more guidance, Bible Journaling With Peggie is an inexpensive 5 week course that you might enjoy.
A Gentle Blessing as You Begin
If all you do today is underline one verse and whisper one prayer, that is not “behind.”
That is faithful.
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130
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