85 Bible journal prompts and questions

How to use these Bible journal questions

Read a short passage twice. Then answer two or three prompts: one to understand it, one to see God in it, and one to apply it. That simple pattern works for any part of the Bible. If you want a full method, see how to journal the Bible for SOAP and other simple methods.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8 KJV

Bible journal prompts to understand any passage

1. Summarize this passage in three plain sentences, as if explaining it to a friend.Write
2. Who wrote this book, and who was it first written to?Write
3. What happened just before this passage? How does that change what it means?Write
4. Which words or phrases repeat? Why might the writer repeat them?Write
5. Is there a word I do not understand? Look it up and write the meaning.Write
6. What is the main point the writer wants the first readers to get?Write
7. Are there any contrasts here, like light and dark, or old and new?Write
8. What questions does this passage raise for me?Write
9. Is there a cross reference in my Bible? What does that verse add?Write
10. What would be lost if this passage were not in the Bible?Write
11. Divide the passage into two or three parts. Give each part a short title.Write
12. What feelings do the people in this passage seem to have?Write

Prompts to see God in the passage

1. What does this passage show about who God is?Write
2. What is God doing in this passage, even in the background?Write
3. Is there a promise from God here? Who is it for?Write
4. How does this passage point to Jesus or show His heart?Write
5. What does this teach about how God treats people who fail?Write
6. Where do I see God's patience, power or kindness here?Write
7. If I only had this passage, what would I know about God?Write
8. How does God respond to fear, doubt or sin in this passage?Write
9. What does the Holy Spirit do or show here?Write
10. Which word would I use to describe God after reading this?Write
11. Write a short prayer of praise using what this passage says about God.Write

Prompts to apply the Bible to your life

1. Is there a command here I need to obey this week? Write one practical step.Write
2. Is there a sin to avoid or a habit to stop?Write
3. Is there an example to follow, or one not to follow?Write
4. Where does this passage touch my life right now: home, work, friendships, worry?Write
5. What would change if I really believed this?Write
6. Who in my life needs to hear the truth in this passage?Write
7. How can I live this out before I read again tomorrow?Write
8. What attitude does this passage ask me to change?Write
9. What does this passage say to me in my current season?Write
10. Which verse here should I memorize, and where will I put it so I see it?Write
11. Turn this passage into a prayer for myself, using its words and ideas.Write

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22 KJV

Bible journal prompts for the Psalms

1. How is the psalm writer feeling at the start? How about at the end?Write
2. What does the writer ask God for?Write
3. Where does the writer turn from complaint to trust? What changed?Write
4. Which line sounds most like my own heart today?Write
5. What images of God does this psalm use, like shepherd, rock or shield?Write
6. Rewrite this psalm in my own words as my own prayer.Write
7. What does this psalm teach me about being honest with God?Write
8. What reasons for praise does the writer give?Write
9. If I wrote a psalm about this week, how would it start?Write
10. What would it look like to wait on God the way this writer does?Write

Bible journal prompts for the Gospels

1. Who comes to Jesus in this passage, and what do they want?Write
2. How does Jesus treat the people others ignore?Write
3. What question does Jesus ask, and how would I answer it?Write
4. What does Jesus' miracle here show about His power and His care?Write
5. How do the disciples misunderstand Jesus? Do I do the same?Write
6. What does this parable mean in one sentence?Write
7. Where do I see myself in this scene, as a disciple, the crowd or the person in need?Write
8. What surprises me about how Jesus acts here?Write
9. What does Jesus say about the kingdom of God in this passage?Write
10. What would it have been like to stand in the crowd that day?Write
11. What one thing from Jesus' words here will I practice this week?Write

Bible journal prompts for women

1. Which woman in this passage, or in the Bible, do I relate to right now? Why?Write
2. How does Jesus speak to women in the Gospels, and what does that tell me about how He sees me?Write
3. What does Ruth's story teach me about loyalty and God's quiet care?Write
4. What can I learn from Hannah about bringing my deepest desire to God?Write
5. How did Mary respond to news that changed her whole life? How do I respond to change?Write
6. What does Proverbs 31 show me about strength and wisdom, apart from busyness?Write
7. Where am I like Martha, and where do I want to be like Mary?Write
8. What does Esther's courage ask of me in my own place and time?Write
9. Which verse speaks to my worth as a woman made in God's image?Write
10. What would I tell a younger woman about this passage?Write
11. Write a prayer for the women in my life using this passage.Write

If you want a guided plan, our Android app Prayer Journal for Women gives you a weekly verse with the whole chapter, a reflection with three questions and a prayer page. It is coming soon on Google Play.

Bible journal prompts for a deeper study

1. Read the passage in two translations. What differences do I notice?Write
2. Trace one key word through the whole book. Where else does it show up?Write
3. Map the places mentioned. How far apart are they?Write
4. What was daily life like for the people in this passage?Write
5. How does this passage connect to the Old Testament or the New Testament?Write
6. What would a skeptic ask about this passage, and how would I answer?Write
7. Write a list of everything this passage says about faith.Write
8. What does this passage teach about prayer?Write
9. Find one verse in another book that says something similar. What does it add?Write
10. What is the big story of the Bible, and where does this passage fit?Write
11. Write a one paragraph summary of everything I learned this week.Write

Bible journal questions to end a week of study

1. What do I want to study next because of this passage?Write
2. Choose one word from this passage and journal on it every day this week.Write
3. Write a short letter to God about what this study has meant to me.Write
4. What would I teach a small group from this passage in five minutes?Write
5. Which verse from this week will I write on a card and carry with me?Write
6. What did I expect this passage to say, and what surprised me?Write
7. Looking back at my notes, what is God teaching me again and again?Write
8. What one question do I still have, and who could help me answer it?Write

Tips for using Bible journal prompts

• Read the context. Always read the chapter around a verse before you write about it.
• Mix your questions. One to understand, one about God, one to apply.
• Keep a question list. Questions you cannot answer today are worth keeping.
• Use a study Bible or dictionary for hard words and history.
• Be consistent, not perfect. Five minutes most days beats an hour once a month.
• Read your old entries. Notice what God has been teaching you over time.

Your page above saves in this browser on this device only, with no account. Print or save it as a PDF to keep a copy. For a fill-in page, use our Bible journal template. For children, see Bible journal questions for kids.

Questions people ask