Bible Journaling with Teenagers
When your children were younger, you probably had a much easier time reading to them about the many heroes from the Bible who overcame impossible odds. That’s because Bible stories were presented to them in such a new and exciting way, that it captivated their hearts and minds. They wanted to hear more. Stay tuned to learn how to do bible journaling with teenagers!
Bible Journaling is a creative and personal way of engaging with the Bible. It involves combining traditional Bible study with artistic expression, such as drawing, painting, and writing, directly in the pages of a Bible or in a separate journal dedicated to recording reflections on biblical passages.
How to Do Bible Journaling With Teenagers
Now that your kids have grown into teenagers, you may be facing a few new challenges that are preventing them from engaging in reading scripture.
Whether it’s because they find it boring, or they cannot comprehend what they have read only moments prior, we as parents must help them find the right tool to help develop faith in our teens.
Bible art journaling is an effective method for bringing scripture to life for teenagers, and most importantly, it helps them develop a more personal relationship with Jesus. Here’s a more in-depth look at how to do Bible Journaling with your teenagers. Did you know that bible journaling can develop faith in teens?
Bible Verse Art
Bible verse art is an excellent way for your teenager to memorize scripture in a more creative way. When you are reading your Bible, certain verses tend to stick out more than others. Encourage your teen to focus on those particular verses and go from there.
They can highlight the verse, or even rewrite it in the margin in a fun and creative way. Some people like to use cursive, bold, or italic letters, or different-sized fonts on keywords.
Bible Stories
Just because your teenager is older, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have a Bible story that they enjoy or can relate to. Encourage them to return to those chapters, reread them, and think about drawing or painting a picture in their Bibles that depicts the story.
But they don’t have to draw anything if they don’t want to. Again, there could be a particular verse that stands out to them, allowing them to focus on and get creative with colors in that way.
Ideas for Bible Journaling
Your teenager doesn’t have to be an artist who can draw amazing pictures. Simply adding color to their Bibles can be beautiful enough on its own.
Some are even brave enough to paint or use colored pencils to add color around that particular Bible verse, but that’s okay if you don’t feel comfortable enough to do so. Afterward, they can reflect on their artwork and conclude by praying for God to help them apply His Word to their lives.
Sermon Notes
Bible journaling doesn’t just have to happen while your teen is doing their own quiet time. It can also be done while taking notes during church services. Sometimes we can get lost in note-taking and never take the time to review those “boring” notes again.
Drawing pictures that relate to the sermon, or even adding stickers to brighten it up, can bring your teenager back to reflect on that particular sermon.
Bible Journal Alongside Them
Bible journaling alongside your teenager may not only provide them with ideas but also inspire them to continue on their faith journey.
It’s something that many parents even enjoy too. After all, your teenagers need to see you spending time in God’s word if you ever hope for them to do the same.
Maybe as an adult, you don’t find Bible journaling to be your thing. It doesn’t have to be. You can still spend time in God’s word and prayer as you are sitting close to your son or daughter.
You may be surprised at how much easier it is for your teenager to open up to you, especially when spiritual conversations arise, as you are approaching the heart of God together.
Getting the Right Supplies
When your teens first start with Bible journaling, I recommend starting them out simply in terms of supplies. You want to ensure that Bible journaling will be something they continue to enjoy before you become fully invested in it. All they need is a Bible, a pen, and a few colored pencils to get started.
More Bible Journaling Ideas:
How to Teach Bible Journaling to Your Kids
Easy and Simple Bible Journaling Ideas
Gifts for Those Who Love Bible Journaling
31 Simple Bible Journaling Ideas (Free Printable)
Free Printable Gratitude Journal
- After they’ve proven to have a genuine interest in it, it’s time to consider purchasing the right supplies. You can find all of your Bible journaling needs at your nearest craft store. If you’re looking for colored pencils of better quality that professionals use, there are several options available that will do the trick.
- When you’re choosing paints and pens that your teenagers will be using in their Bibles, make sure that they don’t tend to bleed through the pages.
- Gelatos pens are fun and easy to use, creating a color that resembles watercolor.
- They’ll also need to think about purchasing a set of highlighters to zero in on specific verses and keywords that have a deeper meaning to them. These have zero bleed-through.
- To add an artistic element to their Bible art journaling, I recommend stocking up on washi tape, decorative stickers, stamps, colored ink pads, watercolor paints, and even acrylic paints.
Finding the Right Bible to use for your Journal
Your teen also needs the right Bible for journaling. You probably won’t feel comfortable with your teens painting and covering up words in their only study Bible, so they may need a separate Bible for that.
Lifeway offers several options and translations suitable for note-taking and journaling. That way, they still have a Bible that they can take to church and study, without worrying about words that may have been altered.
Bible journaling is an excellent tool to help teenagers have a more meaningful relationship with their savior.
Some people are hesitant about Bible journaling, as well as writing in their Bibles, but remember that creativity comes from the Lord. It’s about growing and worshiping God in a fun and whole new way. And don’t think that Bible journaling is only geared towards teenage girls because it’s not.
Your adolescent son can enjoy it, too.
