Family Christian sent me an ESV Journaling Bible in exchange for an honest review. They have also provided a copy to giveaway.
The ESV (English Standard Version) is one of my favorite translations. Most of my study is done with the NASB (New American Study Bible), NET (New English Translation), and ESV. I enjoy using multiple translations in my studies and my writing. While I have taken classes in Koine Greek I do not pretend to be an expert in translation. The NASB is my preferred for word study, ESV for every day, and NET for digging into the notes left by the translators of the text. Picking up the Egalitarian, Message, and other translations gives me another perspective as well. Each translation holds value.
In the same way that different translations bring added value, different study methods bring new perspectives of the text. Bible journaling is another of many tools to help you dig in, understand, and absorb God’s Word.
In the same way different translations bring added value, different study methods bring new… Click To TweetI enjoy making charts of the books of the Bible. I’ve used Precepts upon Precepts (Kay Arthur’s method for Bible Study), done extensive word studies in Greek, diagrammed the sentences, rewritten them as cartoons and in short stories. I’ve dissected and resembled the text but I’ve never put my creativity to the test quite like this.
When googling #BibleJournaling there are some absolutely beautiful displays. I stumbled across some true works of art from Tiffany’s Garden, Heather Greenwood, and Homegrown Hospitality. There talent far exceeds my own.
What struck me about there work is that it resembled so closely the work of a scribe. The detail of bringing to life the words on the page through color and image is not new. Following a sermon series on Celtic Christianity at our church, we watched The Secret of Kells. It is about being interested with the sacred. It is about bringing words to life on the page through the act of creation. If you have not seen it it is beautifully illustrated and told. But as always the movie does not tell the entire story of the Book of Kells.
Bible journaling is not a new concept. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says there is nothing new under the sun. But that is part of it’s beauty. It’s an opportunity to not just study the Bible in a “new to you” way but to dive a little deeper and learn a little more about our Christian heritage. It is an opportunity to explore the creativity of our ancestors.
Creativity and the Christian Faith do not always coincide. We tend to copycat off of secular media and fads when earlier in our tradition we were the trend setters for beauty. Creativity honors God, it mimics His first known act. We should embrace the opportunities for creativity. (Be sure to enter the giveaway below to give Bible Journaling a try).
Enter to win the ESV Journaling Bible via @FamilyChristian #FCBlogger #BibleJournaling Click To TweetWhile I was at Dallas Theological Seminary, Prof Howard Hendricks would often say in class that we attended a Seminary not a Cemetery so to stop walking around looking glum and smile. Instead of looking at our Bibles as lines of texts to translate, analyze, dissect, and reformat… perhaps we should look at them through artist eyes drawing out the beauty of the words and bringing them to life. It opened up the text for me. As I studied Mark 7 and the Pharisees’ condemnation of the disciples unclean hands it made me wonder if it was sacrifice, obedience, or simply intent that Christ is after.
I have been wanting a bible journal so bad! I hope I win!
Heather @ The Deans List Blog recently posted…Dollar Store Faux Pumpkin Centerpiece
I’m a huge notetaker- I don’t think I’m quite artistic enough to really do much drawing in the margins, but my poor Bible has so many notes crammed in there that I can barely read them! I have a journaling Bible on my Christmas list… winning one would be even better!!
A journaling Bible is on my wish list! Thanks for the chance to win one.
Sarah Coggins recently posted…Super Snacks for Little (and big!) Super Heroes
I have been looking for a journalling Bible for ages — oh, how I hope I win!!
Patti M. recently posted…Stop It!
I love Bible Journaling. What a great giveaway.
I have been Bible journaling for awhile and I love it! Not only is it a way to make scripture come to life but it helps with memorizing scripture as well. Plus it also is a very special way to leave part of youself to your children and grandchildren. I have 8 grandchildren and I am planning to leave a Bible I have journaled along with a special message from Mimi to them.
Sandra Hardage recently posted…Doreen Penner
I would love to try this out! 🙂 I’m not very good at drawing, but I think that it would be a cool way to study the Word.
Anna | SheisJoyful recently posted…Workout Fashion | #fitforme
What a fun giveaway! Thanks for putting this together!
Julie recently posted…Things I Love Thursday: A Free Ecourse
What a great giveaway! Thank you 😀
I would absolutely love winning this. I have been wanting one for awhile now and need a new Bible. Thanks for this opportunity. <3
Brittany Reid recently posted…Rest.
I’ve never had a journaling Bible! It looks like it would be a neat tool to use.
I would love to win a journal Bible. I’ve always written in the margins!
Kim recently posted…Blessings from the Week volume 6
I Ned a new Bible and a journaling one would be ideal, thx!!
I’m involved in two Bible studies, and am always writing notes and verses to remember on little notes that I stick in my Bible. It would be great to have a way to record these notes and doodles on the pages of the Bible itself.
I would love to win this bible because I struggle with my daily devotional time with the Lord. I seldom am disciplined enough to get up early and devote some am time with my creator. I am a creative type and would love an opportunity to use the talents God gave me, to worship Him!
I really enjoyed the trailer for The Secret of Kells. Now the challenge will be to find it so I can watch the whole thing. Thanks for the chance to win a journaling Bible. So generous of you to have this give-away.
I would love the Journaling Bible, and like to draw and take notes as I read!
I have been following Bible journalers on Facebook and I would love to have a journaling Bible.
What a great contest! Hope, you just seem like the sweetest blogger there is. Best of luck to whomever wins this!
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I have been looking at all of the beautiful Bible journaling on Pinterst but I can’t even draw a stick figure! I love your idea for using the charts and lists etc. from Kay Arthur’s Precept studies (I love her studies!). I love doing word studies also and I recently saw an entry on Pinterest where someone had used their word studies for Bible journaling by tracing the main word in a beautiful font and then listing the words in the definitions that stood out to her. Both of these ideas have inspired me to use the gifts I do have to give Bible journaling a try!
I have been following Bible journaling on Facebook. For now I’m using a notebook. Would love a journaling Bible.
This looks like so much fun. I know some people who would benefit from a Bible like this.