What Is a Bible Study Journal?

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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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 keep 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 act of putting your thoughts into words helps you understand them better and think more deeply.
  3. Meditation. Journaling can be a form of meditation -- a way of pondering and reflecting on the truths you're trying to grasp.
  4. Reflection. Writing down the answers to the Discussion Questions in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series requires reflection and intentionality. If you are only reading, much may not register. But when you engage with 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 single "right" way to journal. Your journal will be different from another disciple's -- because God has made you unique.

How Can You Start?

Here's one approach to starting a physical Bible study journal:

  1. Purchase. Choose a bound journal with lined pages. It doesn't need a hard cover, but ideally the pages should be sewn together (thread-bound, casebound) rather than just glued, so it won't fall apart over time. Inexpensive journals are sometimes called laboratory notebooks, composition notebooks, lined notebooks, etc. Try an office supply store or bookshop. You can buy fancy leather-bound journals, but that is probably unnecessary.
  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 wish), 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 limit your journaling 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 glory. There's no need to submit the journal to a teacher to prove anything, as you might have in school. Now you are learning to be a better disciple of Jesus, not to earn a diploma.
  6. Rinse and repeat. When one journal is full, start another -- "Journal #2" and so on.

How about an electronic journal? That's perfectly fine, if it fits your workflow. I've used both written and electronic forms to write down my thoughts. These days I use a keyboard; I'm just not a two-thumb typing whiz on a cell phone. You want to stay in step with your thoughts. Ultimately, however, whatever works for you -- do it consistently.

You'll find a Bible study journal a blessing. At the conclusion of a Bible study, you may be proud of yourself for completing all the answers. Well done! But the value of this kind of journal isn't as a reference for later -- though you might revisit it years from now. The greatest value is that it helps you learn and apply God's word through thoughtful engagement and personal reflection.

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

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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.