What is Scripture Writing and How to Get Started
I began using Scripture writing to grow my faith and deepen my time with God when my kids were babies and I was feeling frustrated because I didn’t have the time to devote to read my Bible and study God’s Word like I did before I had kids. I would often get interrupted and had a hard time focusing. I found myself finishing a passage of Scripture and having no idea what I had just read.
Thank you, mom brain!
Around this time I joined a group of women on Facebook who were writing through passages of Scripture together. It almost seemed too simple. But I really, really needed simple at that point in my life.
To my delight Scripture writing became an integral piece of my spiritual life and I’ve never let go of this habit! It is both peaceful and powerful. It feels like the best of both worlds of Bible study and meditation for me. I love that it is simple and doable even on hectic days. And anyone can get started Scripture writing today with supplies you already have on hand!
What is Scripture Writing?
Bible verse writing is the spiritual discipline and practice of writing out Bible books, longer passages, and topical Bible verses by hand. Slowing down from reading a verse to writing out a verse word by word helps you meditate more slowly on it and draw fresh realizations about God’s character and what that means for you today.
But you don’t have to write in a “fancy way” or even write down your own thoughts or takeaways from Scripture. The simplicity and power is in the Word of God.
How to get started with Writing Scripture
1. Choose a topic or book
Pick a topic you want to study or meditate more on right now. This could have to do with something going on in your life or in the world in general. Or choose a book of the Bible you would like to study and meditate on.
2. Find Bible Verses on that Topic
- You can do this by using a Bible concordance or topical index. You can purchase a separate Bible concordance or use the topical index found in the back of a high quality study Bible.
- Use Youversion or another online Bible (I like Bible Gateway) to search topically as well.
- Another option is to use lists of already compiled Scripture Writing topics. Here are some topics I have created:
- Joyful Scripture Writing Plan
- Gentleness Scripture Writing Plan
- One Another Scripture Writing Plan
- Scripture Writing for Worry and Anxiety
- FREE HOPE Scripture Writing Plan (keep reading to get yours!)
3. Write out a verse or passage of verses during your time with God.
Take as long as you need to write out the Bible verse you are focusing on. Write it in more than one version if you want.
Underline words that you want to investigate further. You can further expand and write out word definitions in English or even dive into the Hebrew or Greek words using a tool like Blue Letter Bible. (Learn how to do that here!)
You can be fancy with fun pens, hand-lettering, and art or just simply write out the passage with no frills. (I’m most often a no-frills kind of gal!)
Benefits of Bible Journaling to Your Faith
The biggest benefit of writing out scripture is you slow down long enough for the words to really seep into your consciousness. How many times have your eyes gone over a verse in a Bible, but nothing really sinks in? Bible verse writing slows down that process and allows you to focus and dwell on the Word.
As Psalm 1:2-3 reminds us there is rich blessing in rooting our lives in God’s Word.
But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
Another benefit of Scripture writing is it allows you to dive deep into one topic in the Bible and get an all-encompassing view of it from different writers, time periods and literary styles. This is really helpful to see the continuity of God’s character and His desires for His children as we dwell in various passages and books of Scripture.
Like Colossians 3:16 says,
Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (CSB)
The Amplified version of this verse says “Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being]”. When we become at home in the Word in this way we also receive the ability and wisdom to step into leadership roles in our faith communities and families.
Finally, perhaps my favorite benefit is Scripture Writing can be done quickly and easily. It is simply giving God’s Word and the Holy Spirit free reign in our hearts and THAT is a powerful combination.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12
FAQs about Writing the Word
1. Do you really get anything out of it?
Absolutely I do! As I write and reflect on the passage the Holy Spirit highlights words or phrases and I find myself engaging in the Word in a different way than a traditional Bible study.
If I have a question about something I’m reading I tend to expand and read the passage in context. And then reference a Study Bible or Bible Commentary to dig deeper and expand my understanding and answer my questions.
I’ve found over the course of my faith walk in different seasons God uses different avenues of engaging in the Word to grow my faith. Scripture writing is incredibly powerful for me and I’d encourage anyone to try it for a month and see how it impacts them! But there are many ways to connect with God through Scripture and this is just one of them!
- Traditional Bible Studies
- Devotional Books
- Listening to Scripture being read out loud
- Listening to Scritpture through worship music
- Using Apps to Study/Read the Bible
2. How long does it take
I find Scripture writing normally takes me 5-10 minutes, depending on the length of the passage and how neatly I am writing. If you’re doing more full artistic renderings or hand lettering style that will take longer, of course! And you may want to spend additional time reading the context surrounding the passage or a parallel passage.
RELATED: 7 WAYS TO UNDERSTAND BIBLE CONTEXT
3. Do I need any special equipment?
By no means do you need anything beyond a paper and pen. Personally, I like to have a separate journal for my Bible writing. I also write my spiritual reflections, prayers, and sermon notes in it. Any kind of spiritual writing goes into this journal, but it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Here are some journals I recommend:
You’re also going to need a pen or pencil. I also tend to enjoy writing with colorful pens and pencils, but that is totally my personal preference. Here are some of my favorites:
- Current Favorite Pens
- Classic black pens
- Watercolor pencils (for when you’re getting creative!)
- Calligraphy pens
Scripture Writing Plan 2024
This year I am craving HOPE. I know better than to put my hope in scientists, politicians, financial security, popularity or any other place or person, but JESUS.
May this 14 Day Scripture Writing Plan bless you and be a starting point on your write the word journey.
Scripture Writing Examples from my own life.
Here are a few examples of writing out Scripture from my own journal. You can see sometimes I get fancy and sometimes I just write the Bible verses out simply.
As I have read through the Bible chronologically this year, I used the ESV Journaling Bible and use the extra margin space to write out my favorite Scripture verse I read from the day.
Writing the Word is also included in my Claiming the Promises of God Bible Study in part of the daily guided journaling! It really is one of my favorite ways to dig into a passage of Scripture.
Writing Bible passages out by hand is a great way to slow down and focus your heart on the Scriptures. For more ways to grow your faith check out 5 Ways to Spend Time with God During Busy Seasons
And don’t forget to grab your Hope Scripture Writing plan!
