What Is a Bible Study Journal?

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Apostle Peter: Disciple Lessons from the Rock


Image: Ivana Tomaskova from Pixabay.

Briefly, a Bible study journal is a notebook in which you record your thoughts on Bible verses and answers to the Discussion Questions in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.

Why Have a Bible Study Journal?

The first question is: Why should you want a journal? Let me share some of the benefits:

  1. Place. You have a dedicated space to record your thoughts and insights, so you don't forget them.
  2. Process. The very process of putting your thoughts into words forces you to understand them better, to think more deeply.
  3. Meditation. Journaling can be a kind of meditation -- that is, a way of pondering and reflecting on the truths you are trying to understand.
  4. Reflection. Writing down the answers in your journal to Discussion Questions in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series requires reflection and thoughtfulness. If you are just reading, a lot of material doesn't really register. But when you respond to a question, you are compelled to think, to learn, and often to apply a truth.

There are many kinds of journals. A diary is a kind of journal in which you write down your inmost thoughts. But a Bible study journal focuses on learning from what you are reading and studying in Scripture. There is no one right way. Your journal will be different from that of another disciple, simply because God created you to be unique.

How Can You Start?

Bible study notebookHere's one approach to starting a Bible study journal:

  1. Purchase a bound journal that contains lines on which you can write. It doesn't need to have a hard cover, but it's best if the pages are sewn together (thread-bound, casebound) rather than just glued, so it doesn't fall apart over time. These are sometimes called laboratory notebooks, composition notebooks, lined notebooks, etc. You can even buy fancy leather-bound journals, but that is probably unnecessary. You might find something in an office supplies store or bookshop.
  2. Label. Put your name inside, along with the date. You might label it Journal #1.
  3. Date each entry. When you begin, for example, a JesusWalk Bible Study, date your entry, write out the question (if you like), and then write your answer -- whether short or long. Some days, with some questions, you will write a lot. Other days, not so much. That's okay.
  4. Loose structure. Don't restrict it to a formal study. If a sermon or Bible reading stimulates your thoughts, write that down as well.
  5. Freedom. You are writing for your own benefit -- and God's. There's no need to submit the journal to a teacher to prove anything, as you may have done in school. Now you are learning to be a better disciple of Jesus, not to earn a diploma.
  6. Rinse and repeat. When you fill this journal, buy another and label it #2. And so on.

At the conclusion of a Bible study, you may be proud of yourself for completing all the answers. Good for you! But the value of this kind of journal is not primarily as a reference for later -- though you might return to it a year or two from now. The greatest value is that it helps you learn and apply God's word through reflection and engagement.

Keeping some kind of journal is a spiritual discipline that will bring you many rewards as a maturing disciple of our Lord.

Bible Study Articles

Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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In-depth Bible study books

You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format -- currently 48 books in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.

Old Testament

  1. Abraham, Faith of
  2. Jacob, Life of
  3. Moses the Reluctant Leader
  4. Joshua
  5. Gideon
  6. David, Life of
  7. Elijah
  8. Psalms
  9. Solomon
  10. Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134)
  11. Isaiah
  12. 28 Advent Scriptures (Messianic)
  13. Daniel
  14. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books

Gospels

  1. Christmas Incarnation (Mt, Lk)
  2. Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7)
  3. Luke's Gospel
  4. John's Gospel
  5. Seven Last Words of Christ
  6. Parables
  7. Jesus and the Kingdom of God
  8. Resurrection and Easter Faith
  9. Apostle Peter

Acts

  1. Early Church (Acts 1-12)
  2. Apostle Paul (Acts 11-28)

Pauline Epistles

  1. Romans 5-8 (Christ-Powered Life)
  2. 1 Corinthians
  3. 2 Corinthians
  4. Galatians
  5. Ephesians
  6. Philippians
  7. Colossians, Philemon
  8. 1 & 2 Thessalonians
  9. 1 &2 Timothy, Titus

General Epistles

  1. Hebrews
  2. James
  3. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
  4. 1, 2, and 3 John

Revelation

  1. Revelation
  2. Conquering Lamb of Revelation

Topical

  1. Glorious Kingdom, The
  2. Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
  3. Great Prayers of the Bible
  4. Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
  5. Humility
  6. JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
  7. Lamb of God
  8. Listening for God's Voice
  9. Lord's Supper: Disciple's Guide
  10. Names and Titles of God
  11. Names and Titles of Jesus

Pastor Ralph Wilson's books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com.
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.