Book Review: Bible Journaling Made Simple

I grew up at a time when the most interaction you had between a page of the Bible, beyond reading it, was a possibility of highlighting or underlining a passage, possibly with an added liner note (and some people didn't even feel comfortable with that). I don't know if the popularity of bullet journaling had any impact on the emerging popularity of creating visual art on Bible pages, but it's been interesting to see the evolution take place.

I have a creative side, but my drawing abilities are at the level you'd find in an average early-elementary-school-aged child. However, I have some friends that have begun Bible journaling, and we bought our oldest a Bible with pre-printed marginalia that she colors in. I appreciate seeing what others can do.

When I saw the soon-to-be-released book Bible Journaling Made Simple by Sandy Allnock, I was interested to review it. It is rich with helpful step-by-step illustrations aimed at non-artists. The primary goals are to teach techniques that will give others confidence as well as create a new medium for interacting with the text. As far as the latter is concerned, Allnock shares how she reads in the morning, reflects on a key verse or theme throughout the day, then if she is inspired, she will draw or paint in her Bible that evening. Whether or not she creates, she has deepened her faith by her reflections.

Allnock starts each chapter with a number of questions for those who may go through this book in a group setting, and at the close of each chapter, she recommends similar passages that could use the illustrations that were the focus in that section.

I appreciated how Allnock intentionally recommends quality but affordable materials to make beginning Bible journaling an inexpensive venture, as well as making sure, if she paints over the entire page, that the text is still readable underneath. With how thin most Bible pages are, one can imagine them curling with a lot of water or paint applied. She also has suggestions for how to safely iron a page to combat that. She also recommends patience and reminds people not to be too critical of their handwriting, fear of painting, and so on.

I found this a pleasant experience; I'm not yet sure if I have the confidence to color and paint in my Bible, but maybe I'll take an intermediary step to do a page or two in a bullet journal (another suggestion of hers). Bible Journaling Made Simple is just that -- a good resource for those who don't feel they are naturally artistic but have an interest in learning.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGally and F+W Media in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)