Why and How to Begin Scripture Writing

“Be sure to spend time in the Bible every day.” Every Christian hears this often. We know that it’s important. But we also know that it’s easier in some seasons of life than in others.

Almost seven years ago, I began a new way of spending daily time in the Word: I started copying Scripture (verse by verse or book by book) by hand. Over the years, I’ve done this both instead of and in addition to a Bible reading plan. With very few exceptions, I’ve been writing out Scripture for about 2,500 consecutive days, and I can honestly say that Scripture writing has completely transformed the way I approach the Bible and how I interact with God’s Word.

And it’s not just me. I can tell by the popularity of the Scripture writing posts on my blog that many Christians—both male and female, and of all ages—are eager to try something that will refresh and reinvigorate their daily time with the Bible. And for some, Scripture writing is just the thing.

Why to Begin Scripture Writing

No matter how you choose to start copying the Bible by hand, each method provides the same benefits:

• Writing out Scripture slows you down. You’ll have more time to think about what you’re reading and writing, more time to consult your Bible study notes or another Bible reference, and more time to sit quietly with the verses in order to fully understand and remember them. You’ll probably “discover” verses you don’t even remember from passages you’ve previously read.
• Writing out Scripture keeps you present. The physical act of handwriting engages both your body and your brain. Your mind doesn’t wander as easily when your eyes are alternating between your open Bible and the paper you’re writing on.
• Writing out Scripture adjusts to your available time each day. Depending on the method you choose below, you will be either copying relatively short passages or determining for yourself how much to copy each day.
• Writing out Scripture produces something tangible. It doesn’t matter how “pretty” they are, the physical pages you create are meaningful and are beautiful to God. They’re a tangible reminder of your time spent with the Lord each day. Your notebooks or journals can provide a positive sense of joy and accomplishment instead of the feelings of discouragement or even failure that you may have had with Bible reading plans in the past. Each verse, each chapter, each time you write in your notebook is a small celebration of progress through God’s Word.

Three Methods to Begin Scripture Writing

Try one method and stick with it, or try all three—it’s up to you. Each of these methods is totally free, and there’s no right or wrong way to begin writing out Scripture.

1. The Topical Scripture Writing Method

This was my own method for starting Scripture writing seven years ago. On her blog, The Architect and the Artist, my friend Debbie had created a three-year plan of topical verses (each month had a different theme), and these were perfect for getting my feet wet and developing the habit of copying Scripture every morning. I’m excited to say that her entire plan is now available here, directly from my site! “Think on These Things” is a complete 36-month plan for copying the Bible every day, including questions and optional activities you can “think on” during your month in the Word. (You can start in any month—I started in September.)

These short passages are a great introduction to the spiritual discipline of copying Scripture. They help focus you on one important topic for an entire month—topics like prayer, the birth and resurrection of Jesus, how God makes all things new, hope, trust, contentment, God’s promises, jealousy, and much more. I recommend using these with a good study Bible (here’s mine, and this one is also good), because you’ll have time to read those study notes that you may have skipped over in the past due to lack of time.

Here are the free downloads of this 3-year plan:

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2. The Whole Book Scripture Writing Method

Once I finished Debbie’s three-year plan above, I moved on to writing out entire Bible books. I’ve written about this in several other posts (see links below), and I really enjoy keeping track of which chapters and which books I’ve finished copying. If you choose this method, or if you progress to it after starting with another method, I have two free downloads for you to keep track of the chapters you’ve finished:

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3. The Email Newsletter Scripture Writing Method

A third way to begin Scripture writing is to join an email list such as Bible Copy Club. This free email newsletter contains the day’s verses to copy in the context of a larger passage that you’re copying over a longer period of time. You’ll also receive a short meditation on the passage and a closing verse of encouragement that you can copy. Each day is like receiving a small, exciting present of a new passage in your inbox, and then copying it along with thousands of others who are writing out the same verses.

I think of this as a “group” method because it reminds me of the church year or the liturgy: as a Christian, you probably share several experiences with other Christians around the world each Sunday—it may be the passages your pastor preaches on, or the parts of the church year you observe, or the elements of the service that you are participating in. In the same way, the newsletter or email method of Scripture writing has you copying verses along with many others. Bible Copy Club has a Facebook group for people to share their copied verses, which adds to the group aspect of this method.

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Do one or more of the methods above inspire you to give Scripture writing a try? Copying out passages from the Bible isn’t for everyone, of course, but it may be transformational for you if you give it a chance.

A while back, Andy of Bible Copy Club asked me during this interview what advice I’d give to those who are starting Scripture writing. I said, “Stick with it for a month. Let it become a habit before you decide whether or not it’s for you. And don’t worry about how it looks. It’s about what it does in your heart.”

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If you’re new to Scripture writing, I highly recommend these posts below for a more complete picture of the “how and why” behind this practice!

Ready to Try Scripture Writing?

Getting the Most Out of Scripture Writing

My Scripture Writing Tools

Podcasts:

I had a talk with Kate of Kurt and Kate Mornings (Moody Radio Florida) about one of my posts on Scripture writing. Take a listen here! (16 min.)

John at WORD FM Pittsburgh had questions for me and I enjoyed giving many practical answers and a few insights into what I love about Scripture writing. Listen here, starting at 24:10. (15 min.)

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