What is the best way to start journaling through Genesis?

Start with the creation account in chapters 1-3 and journal about what each day of creation reveals about God. Then move through the patriarchs one at a time, using a character study approach to trace each person's journey of faith.

How long does it take to study the book of Genesis?

Genesis has 50 chapters, so a chapter-a-day plan would take about seven weeks. Many study plans break Genesis into the creation narrative (1-11) and the patriarchal narrative (12-50), spending extra time on key passages.

What journaling method works best for Genesis?

Character study is ideal for Genesis because the book follows specific people through their faith journeys. Color coding also works well — try assigning colors to God's promises, acts of faith, and consequences of sin.

Study Genesis: Bible Journaling Guide

Genesis at a Glance

Testament

Old Testament

Chapters

Author

Moses

Genre

Narrative/Law

Overview

Genesis is the book of beginnings. It opens with the creation of the heavens and the earth, the formation of humanity in God's image, and the entrance of sin through the fall. From the garden of Eden to the tower of Babel, Genesis lays the foundation for every major theme in Scripture: God's sovereignty, human dignity, the consequences of sin, and the promise of redemption.

The second half of Genesis follows the patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph — tracing God's covenant promises through a single family. Through stories of faith and failure, barrenness and blessing, famine and provision, we see God working across generations to accomplish His purposes. Genesis is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the biblical narrative from its very first page.

Key Themes in Genesis

Creation

God creates everything with intention and declares it good. Humanity is made in His image, given purpose and relationship with the Creator.

Covenant

God initiates binding promises with Noah, Abraham, and his descendants, establishing a pattern of divine faithfulness that runs through the entire Bible.

Faith

Abraham's journey is the Bible's first great portrait of faith — believing God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible.

Family

Genesis traces God's plan through the messy realities of family life: sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, betrayal, and reconciliation.

Popular Verses to Journal

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Journaling idea: Reflect on what it means that God existed before everything else. Write about an area of your life where you need to trust in God's creative power.

Genesis 1:27

God created man in his own image. In God's image he created him; male and female he created them.

Journaling idea: Journal about what it means to be made in God's image. How does this truth shape your identity and how you see others?

Genesis 15:6

He believed in Yahweh, and he credited it to him for righteousness.

Journaling idea: Abraham believed God when the promise seemed impossible. Write about a promise from God you are holding onto by faith right now.

Journaling Prompts for Genesis

What does the creation account reveal about God's character and His intentions for humanity?
How do you see God's faithfulness in the life of Abraham, even through his failures?
Write about a time when God brought something good out of a difficult situation in your life, like Joseph's story.
What covenant promises of God are you standing on today? How does Genesis strengthen your trust?
Reflect on a relationship that needs reconciliation. What can you learn from Jacob and Esau's reunion?

Study Tips

Read Genesis in large sections rather than isolated verses — it's a narrative meant to be followed as a continuous story.
Pay attention to repeated patterns: blessing, sin, consequence, and grace appear throughout the book.
Use a character study method to trace one patriarch's journey — Abraham, Jacob, or Joseph — from start to finish.
Map out the covenant promises God makes and note how they build on each other across chapters.

How to Study Genesis in Digible

Digible makes it easy to study Genesis with purpose-built Bible journaling tools on your iPad. Open any chapter, use Apple Pencil to highlight key verses, write notes directly on the page, and build a consistent study habit with streaks. Whether you prefer Character Study Bible, Color Coding Bible, or Inductive Bible Study, Digible gives you the canvas to engage with Genesis your way. Start with one of the free translations — WEB, ASV, or BSB — and begin journaling through Genesis today.

Related Books

Guides and Resources

Want to go deeper? Read our beginner's guide to Bible journaling, explore creative journaling ideas, or find the best Bible apps with Apple Pencil support for studying Genesis on your iPad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to start journaling through Genesis?: Start with the creation account in chapters 1-3 and journal about what each day of creation reveals about God. Then move through the patriarchs one at a time, using a character study approach to trace each person's journey of faith.
How long does it take to study the book of Genesis?: Genesis has 50 chapters, so a chapter-a-day plan would take about seven weeks. Many study plans break Genesis into the creation narrative (1-11) and the patriarchal narrative (12-50), spending extra time on key passages.
What journaling method works best for Genesis?: Character study is ideal for Genesis because the book follows specific people through their faith journeys. Color coding also works well — try assigning colors to God's promises, acts of faith, and consequences of sin.

Study Genesis in Digible

Download the free Bible journaling app for iPad with Apple Pencil support.

Download for iOS