Bible Journaling for Future Generations

Several years ago I began Bible Journaling for Future Generations of my family. Today, I want to share with you how I created these keepsake Bible’s. God’s Word is the foundation for my parenting and my life. I want to make sure I take every opportunity to share His wisdom with those He has entrusted to me. You can do the same! Let me help you with these tips for creating your own Bible Journal for Future Generations.

Bible Journaling for Future Generations

I am the mother of ten children and two grandchildren. As a mom and grandmother, I want to pass on a heritage of faith, but for so long I didn’t know how I could do that. I didn’t have time to sit down with each person and have a one-on-one Bible Study. Instead, I decided to share my faith through written notes and prayers within my Bible.

Each year I buy a blank Bible, and through the year I write notes and prayers for one member of my family. Last year I filled a Bible for my 27-year-old son. This year I’m doing the same for my 24-year-old daughter. Each day that I sit down to read and pray, I write the date, and I highlight a specific Scripture passage. Then, in the margins, I write a personal note or story. Some days I share about my faith walk. Other days I write about moments when I’ve seen God work in my child’s life. I don’t worry about trying to sound wise or eloquent. Instead, I write plainly, as if I was sitting across from my son or daughter and sharing what was on my heart.

Bible Journaling for Future Generations

On the journalized pages, I also include a prayer. I pray the Scriptures, and I also pray about whatever my child is facing during that time in his/her life. I don’t always have the time to write a thought or prayer every day, but I commit to be faithful and do so as much as possible.

This year, I gave my son his Bible on his birthday, and he’s told me numerous times how much it means to him. My hope is that my words and prayers are something that my son can turn to throughout his life and even become a keepsake to pass on.

I’ve found the best Bibles to use are journaling Bibles. I plan to buy a new one every year until every family member has one. It may seem strange to pass on a “used Bible,” but I know these Bibles will be forever cherished because they were written in, prayed over, and adorned with my tears.

10 Tips for Bible Journaling for Future Generations

These 10 tips will help you in starting your own Bible Journaling.

1. Pray about who would be blessed to receive a Bible with your notes and prayers.

2. Buy a Bible designed for note-taking, or if you prefer not to write in your Bible, select a journaling notebook.
3. Gather pens, highlighters, and colored pencils that won’t smudge.

4. Keep the supplies in a convenient location where you have your Bible study.

5. Decide when you want to present the gift. Then determine if you have the time to read through the Bible, read selected books of the Bible, or focus on favorite verses to share.
6. Each day, write the date in the margin of the selected passage or in the journal notebook.
7. Spend time in prayer, asking God to show you verses that will be meaningful to your child or grandchild.
8. As you read, highlight specific verses or write them in your notebook.

9. If you have an artistic flair, sketch a design to emphasize a keyword or meaningful phrase, or use colored pencils to add your personal touch to your handwriting.

10. Remember, the most important part of journaling is letting your family hear you speak God’s Word into their life, so simply notes and prayers that come from your heart.

Originally published in Mature Living, January 2017