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my boys | illustrating their faith

img_9744newAbout a month ago DaySpring asked if they could send me some products from their new Illustrated Faith line. Have you seen all the beautiful Bible journaling popping up everywhere? I mean, there is some serious talent out there. And what an awesome idea to incorporate art with God’s beautiful Word.

img_9773newI love the idea of Illustrated Faith but I have never done any Bible journaling like this and I knew I would have a hard time with it. I am a perfectionist to the max and drawing in my Bible kind of stresses me out. Also, time. Right now with three little ones I just don’t feel like I can squeeze one more thing in.

But then I had the idea that maybe I could use the same concept with my boys. We have been memorizing Scripture together and I thought they might like illustrating some of the verses they have been learning. DaySpring was super kind and went with my idea. I picked out products that I thought would work well with kids, specifically boys since flowers and pink hearts don’t go over well around here. Ha ha ha. When I opened the box and told the boys that they could use anything they wanted, they were so excited.

img_9774newDaySpring also sent me the new Illustrated Faith Through Christ Devotional Kit. I was so surprised when I opened the kit and saw that my friend, Megan, was the collaborator on this kit! It is so fun and colorful! She did such a great job writing the devotional and picking out all the fun elements that go along with this kit. It is a good one! The emoji face stamps were a favorite. 🙂

img_9926newFor each “journal entry” I had my boys choose a verse they had memorized.

img_9922newGriffin and I worked together to come up with an idea of how to illustrate his verse. I did the writing and helped him with his drawings.

img_9924newThen he added stickers and stamps and colored everything in.

img_9901newLevi copied the verses and did all the writing himself. I helped him brainstorm ideas of how he could illustrate his verses but he did all the drawings too!

img_9889newI thought he did such a good job! He was really proud.

img_9904newWe tried using the Illustrated Faith journals DaySpring sent us but they were too small for my boys. They didn’t have enough room on a page to fit all their drawings and writing. We picked up some art journals from Hobby Lobby to use instead. I think the Illustrated Faith journals would work fine for older kids, but I would suggest something a little bigger if you are trying this with younger kids.

img_9879newI thought having my boys illustrate their faith sounded like a good idea but I honestly wasn’t sure how into it they would be. They loved it! We have been using their journals off and on for about a week now and they often ask if they can do another page.

Here is what we came up with…

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img_9963newThis was the perfect way for us to spend time reviewing verses we had memorized as well as talk about what they mean. And it was really fun too!

To get you (or your kids!) started on your Bible journaling journey, DaySpring is offering a special coupon code for my readers. Use coupon code JESS5 to take $5 off any $30 purchase (offer good September 13th-20th). If you are wondering what products we used, I linked them all below. And don’t forget that there is free US shipping with any $50 order!

img_9984newIllustrated Faith products we used:

IF Through Christ Devotional Kit | IF Black Eyed Pea Ink Pad | IF Date-it Stamp | IF Precision Pens | IF Clear Acrylic Block | Rainy Day Tiny Text Stickers | IF Animals 31-Piece Die Cut Prompts | IF Notebook Journal (we ended up using a bigger art journal) | IF Alphabet Stickers (various colors) | IF Number Stickers (various colors) | Crayola 12 Twistables Colored Pencils

disclaimer: affiliate links used

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  • emily - this is such a great idea! i loved their little drawings and i’m sure brainstorming ideas was such a sweet time for you all! 🙂ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Thank you, Emily!

  • Mary Ann - What a clever and fun idea. Levi did an amazing job. Griffin reminds me of my grandson (Braxton, age 6) with his tongue out when he’s concentrating on something very important. When they look back at those books years from now, they will remember how much their mama helped them and how much those bible verses meant to them at their young ages. Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to your posts.ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Your grandson sounds so fun, Mary Ann! I bet he would have a great time with my boys!

    • Jess - Your grandson sounds so fun, Mary Ann! I bet he would have a great time with my boys!ReplyCancel

  • Leah - That’s great! I’m curious how you do memory verses? One a day? One a week? Do they have to completely learn it by memory? Or just a few words?ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Hi Leah! We have done it different ways but right now we are using the Fighter Verse App. It is so great! I am working through the Foundation Verses with my boys right now. We have a chart with all the verses for them to keep track of and for incentives every time they fill up a row (6 verses). I use the App to keep track for myself and for reviewing with them. Levi can memorize word for word. Griffin is almost there but usually needs a few more prompts. It is really amazing how much they take in! We try to do one a week but often they can do more. I just move on when I feel like they have it down pretty good and we continue reviewing too! Hope that helps. Email me if you have more questions!

    • Jess - Hi Leah! We have done it different ways but right now we are using the Fighter Verse App. It is so great! I am working through the Foundation Verses with my boys right now. We have a chart with all the verses for them to keep track of and for incentives every time they fill up a row (6 verses). I use the App to keep track for myself and for reviewing with them. Levi can memorize word for word. Griffin is almost there but usually needs a few more prompts. It is really amazing how much they take in! We try to do one a week but often they can do more. I just move on when I feel like they have it down pretty good and we continue reviewing too! Hope that helps. Email me if you have more questions!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly - Jess! This is an amazing idea! I think my kids might really get into this! Thank you so much for sharing! We have JUST recently really gotten going with Scripture memory after me really wanting to for a while. This will be great! KellyReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    So glad this might help, Kelly! I have loved memorizing Scripture with my boys. They are such little sponges and blow me away with how much they remember!

    • Jess - So glad this might help, Kelly! I have loved memorizing Scripture with my boys. They are such little sponges and blow me away with how much they remember!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa Joy - I love this! I have been doing this with my kids through the summer, just using colored pencils and twenty-cent notebooks. I love this post though, and just went over to get a package of die-cuts, and a couple of those neat date-stamps (one for me, but some to share too!). My kids do their copywork and artwork while I read Bible stories to them and quiz them on their catechism. It really works wonderfully to have their hands busy, and their eyes focused while their ears are listening and hearts are engaged by faith. God bless your home, Jess!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Such a great idea, Melissa! I agree that it is so helpful to have their hands busy. So helpful. Hope you guys love your new IF products!

    • Jess - Such a great idea, Melissa! I agree that it is so helpful to have their hands busy. So helpful. Hope you guys love your new IF products!ReplyCancel

  • Linda - Such a fantastic idea, and your photos are beautiful! Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Hi, Linda! Thank you!

  • Madison - LOVE this! Your boys did a great job!ReplyCancel

    Jess Reply:

    Thank you, Madison!