From time to time, we like to point you to resources that will help you know God and make Him known. iGo staffer Jami Lee Gainey took some time to share her thoughts about a resource she is currently using. 

Recently, a friend in my small group from church recommended a resource for our LTG called a Journible. The Journible is laid out so that you actually handwrite your own copy of scripture on the right hand page of the book. The left hand page is reserved for your own notes and journaling. Occasionally, there is a question or word faintly printed on the left hand page, which can spur on additional thoughts about a passage and assist with journaling. Check out the picture above to see what I mean.

Despite my love for writing, my journaling has certainly been in a dry spell the past several years (since I became the mother of little people ). Nevertheless, I decided to give this a shot.

To my surprise, I loved it. Our LTG started using one, then my husband and I started doing a different one together. And now our church is planning to give it as a gift to all the ladies that attend our women’s retreat.

The creators of Journibles have their own list in the introduction of each Journible as to why it’s a pretty cool resource (including leaving a handwritten copy of scripture for the next generation), but here’s a few reasons I like it:

It places a strong emphasis on the importance of scripture.

Reformation Heritage Books does a great job of explaining that the motivation behind the Journible comes from Deuteronomy 17:18, when Moses is foretelling of how Israel’s king will be required to hand-write his own copy of the law for multiple reasons. Verses 19-20 best explain the purpose behind this hand-written copy:

“…that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers , and that he may not turn aside from the commandment , either to the right hand or to the left…”

I’m one of those people who normally writes a lot in my Bible – it often helps me stay focused. However, one of the down sides to this is when I am re-reading a passage, I tend to focus more on the underlines/highlights/notes I previously took. Using a Journible helps me to look at scripture in a fresh way, without having to go out and buy a new Bible. Furthermore, actually writing down scripture seems to help me retain more of it. Countless research and studies backs this up – writing things down helps people remember.

It creates some structure for time in the Word without impositions or too many boundaries. The lay-out of the pages allows you to write your thoughts about a verse right out beside that verse, and the occasional word or question spurs you on to focus on particular passages that maybe you wouldn’t have noticed previously.

It’s great for both individual and group time in the Word. Currently, I spend personal time in this James-Jude Journible each week before meeting with my LTG on Wednesday nights to discuss what we’ve read and written in our Journibles. Additionally, my husband and I ordered our own copies of this Galatians-Second Thessalonians one that we’ve been going through a few days a week. Some days we spend more time than others discussing what we’re learning, but it’s neat to look at each others’ notes and sharpen one another as we walk through the same passage of scripture that we’re slowing down to read.

Whether the idea of journaling is new to you or maybe you just need a fresh approach, I definitely recommend giving the Journible a try. Order through Amazon Smile and your purchase actually helps support iGo. Check them out.