Why I Champion Scripture Writing

March 26

~ Today’s Scripture Art and blog post about WHY I love daily Scripture writing were designed to help you write God’s Word on your heart. ~

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What? You couldn’t care less about Scripture writing?

I hear this way too much. Well, maybe not in those exact words. {Thank you for being more polite than that.}

But the truth is most Christians don’t get into Scripture writing.

So I asked around … why is that? Why don’t Christians get into Scripture writing?

It seems to be the lonely step-child of spiritual disciplines.

Here are the top 3 answers:

“Never really thought about Scripture writing before.”
“I’m already stretched for time.”
“I have terrible handwriting.”

Ok. Fair enough. But let me ask you this …

What if I told you that writing by hand could not only help your memory, but actually help change your behavior?

I know, right? Change behavior?

Romans 15:4 Bible Verse Calligraphy in Watercolors by Write Them On My Heart — (*Shop this printable HERE.*)

There’s actual research on this stuff.

Dustin Wax explains, “In building a link between the spatial part of our brain that we need to use in order to make marks on paper that make sense (that is, to write) and the verbal part of our brain that we need to compose meaningful utterances to supply our writing hand with, we strengthen the process by which important information is stored in our memory. But there’s something else going on, too. When we write something down, research suggests that as far as our brain is concerned, it’s as if we were doing that thing. Writing seems to act as a kind of mini-rehearsal for doing.”

According to a study performed at Indiana University, the mere action of writing by hand unleashes creativity not easily accessed in any other way. And magnetic resonance imaging has shown that writing by hand increases neural activity in certain sections of the brain.

Add this new knowledge about writing to the fact that the Bible is living and active, and I’d say writing down Scripture has a lot more going on than we realize!

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

That is one of the 10 reasons …

Why I Champion Scripture Writing

1} Scripture Writing makes the best habit tracker log.

I know I’m not putting the “Sunday School answer” first. But this reason is SO helpful to me! It literally keeps me in the Word every day.

I wrote extensively about changing Bible habits here, but my favorite practical reason to write verses is that it can be used as a habit tracker. If you are struggling with daily time in the Word (as in every single solitary day), then try one of our Scripture writing journals that has 365 sections for writing verses.

Simply put, I read a chapter or more each day, then choose one verse to write in my planner. I can’t bear to leave any spot blank, so it is a great incentive to use it every day.

Psst. Here’s a secret: The “going back” to pick a verse to write is such a special time with the Lord. He has taught me so much during that time.

Which leads me to …

2} Scripture writing cultivates a closer relationship with the Lord.

Scripture writing helps us connect with God. Searching for verses to write, then thoughtfully writing, fosters a deeper relationship with Jesus. You’ll get to know Jesus personally by consistently spending quality time with Him in His Word.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

3} Scripture writing is worship.

You know the old saying – where you spend your time gives a clue to what you are worshiping. Scripture writing is spending time at the feet of Jesus.

Matthew 6:21 (ESV): For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

4} Scripture writing provides encouragement and hope.

The Bible says that we can find hope, joy, and peace in God’s Word. Instead of looking for hope in all the wrong places, let’s look with endurance (aka every day) into the Word where it can indeed be found.

Romans 15:4 (ESV): For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 Watercolor Scripture Art by Write Them On My Heart

5} Scripture writing equips us.

The Bible is our manual for life. It trains us for righteousness. I don’t know about you, but I want to take notes!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

6} Scripture writing brings focus.

Writing verses naturally drowns out the noise and helps us focus our attention on what is truly important. The very act of writing promotes slowing down and intentionality.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (CSB): So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

7} Scripture writing helps us study on our own.

Many of us feel inadequate when it comes to the how of Bible study. But it can’t get any easier than reading a chapter and choosing one verse to write down. You can do this. Give it a try.

Matthew 4:4 (ESV): But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

8} Scripture writing gives more understanding.

While writing verses, you’ll notice details you didn’t see previously – subtleties you may have zoomed right over while reading. Writing by hand truly gives you a fresh perspective.

Matthew 13:12 (NLT): To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

9} Scripture writing helps change our behavior.

To add to the “mini rehearsal” mentioned above, writing verses takes us deeper into Scripture which in turn, makes us long to take the promises and truths to heart – and work to be obedient to Christ. It’s a glorious cycle!

Hebrews 10:16 (ESV): “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”

Romans 15:4 Scripture Printable Art by Write Them On My Heart

10} Scripture writing helps us remember God’s Word.

2 Peter 3:2 (NLT): I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

As pointed out above, there is scientific research that proves hand-writing helps us remember what we read. So if you want Scripture to stick with you – and I hope you do – then write it down.

In fact, if you are like me, you have been getting scads of emails with suggestions of what to do with your newly acquired free time while we are all staying at home during the pandemic. (I even sent one – since I knew the “Write Fear Not on My Heart” Verse Journal would be especially helpful during these anxious days.)

But you know, I am sad to report, very few of those emails suggested spending extended time with the Lord. I personally think that’s what we need to do right now.

Save the organizing and crafts for later. These times call for saturating ourselves in Scripture and prayer.

Let’s challenge each other to fill our time with #bingeWritingScripture, rather than Netflix.

If you’d like a Scripture Writing Accountability Small Group, our private email group is free to all serious every-single-day Scripture Writers. {grin} I’d love to see you there!

I hope I’ve inspired you to get into Scripture writing! It has truly changed my relationship and walk with the Lord through the years, and I want no less for you. Let me know how it goes!