Top 10 Bible Journaling Bibles

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What is a journaling Bible?

Creatives have come up with some really fun ways to make studying the Bible a hands on personal practice. I mean it’s always been personal. God’s words are personal in nature.

I like journaling Bibles because they set us up to meditate on just how important God’s words are.

What is the difference between a study Bible and a journal Bible?
How do you use a journal Bible?
What are the best journaling Bibles?

This article Bible journaling, you will find tips for getting started with Bible journaling, fast links to best-selling Bible journals (organized by translation), and answers to questions about Bible journaling for beginners.

If you’re new to the Bible Journaling world, Welcome! We’re glad to have you!

What Is A Journaling Bible?

A journaling Bible is the kind of Bible you can write in. It’s created specifically for the purpose of doodling, notetaking, journaling, or artfully meditating right there on the pages of your Bible.

What is the difference between a study Bible and a journal Bible?

They do this primarily by widening the margins of the Bible so you have space to note take and create. Journaling Bibles also tend to feature thinker pages (so that ink doesn’t bleed through and disrupt the readability of the text) and more recently have begun to include stenciled art lettering to accommodate those who want to get in on the creativity, but on their own, may not have the skillset.

We’ll answer the questions “how do you use a journal Bible?” in upcoming sections. But first, let’s address this touchy question.

Is Bible Journaling Good? Or Is Bible Journaling Disrespectful?

I am all for finding fun and simple ways to make what we learn from the Bible STICK. That’s what Bible Journaling is for me. It’s not so much about art as it is the opportunity to meditate on God and worship Him through art. When it becomes solely about me I’m misplacing it. Because the fact is, God really doesn’t care how pretty my Bible is. He wants to know that the words inside it are being put to good work; that they are drawing me towards Him and shaping my heart and life.

Is Bible journaling disrespectful? Some people have questioned the practice of Bible journaling. They consider it disrespectful because of the fact that you’re marking in a Bible. I personally, don’t see it that way. I will say though, if you aren’t at peace with the thought of journaling in your Bible, stick with your convictions. If you still want to get in on the creativity and the intimacy it breeds, a prayer journal or Bible notebook might be a better option. But…

If you want to keep all your study notes in your Bible….
You want to journal what you’re learning as you read…
You want to incorporate art in your Bible reading and meditation or create a keepsake to pass down to future generations…
And you’re ok with writing in your Bible – the answer to Should I use a journaling Bible? In my opinion is a resounding, yes!

The remainder of this article will answer the question, “how do you use a journal Bible?”

Quick Answers for How Do You Use A Journal Bible?

If you’re ever trying to figure out if something is beneficial to your faith walk, ask yourself how it supports the goal of your faith? As a Christian, the priorities of my faith are to share the gospel of Jesus (from Mark 16:15), work out my own relationship with God (from Philippians 2:12), and join in the work He is doing to bring His kingdom (see Matthew 6:33 and Colossians 3:2).

So what is biblical journaling? And how does it play into those priorities?

Biblical journaling is my way of moving the truths of the Bible and what God is teaching me from the pages of the Bible to the depths of my heart so that I can live what is true according to the Bible.

The steps are simple. Grab your Bible, gather your materials (pens, highlighters, paints, or other journaling tools you might use) and simply study. Take note of the things God brings to your attention as you read. Those are usually your journaling points.

Here are some examples of what I record in my Bible Journaling Bible:

When God gives me a picture of something while I’m talking to him or studying the Bible, I’ll use my journal Bible to draw or write out what God showed me.
When Bible verses really resonate with a circumstance I or a loved one is facing I’ll highlight it. Sometimes I’ll write the verse in the margin or doodle some of the keywords on the page near the Bible verse.
If I have a question about something, I’ll write it down in the margin of my journaling Bible.
Fun trivia.
Definitions of words.
Notetaking! How do you take notes in a journaling Bible? We talk all about it in the VIBRANT Bible Study Workbook. It’s our guide to note-taking, Bible highlighting, and studying the Bible in context (with a splash of color).

One of the things I love to journal in my Bible is the names of God. When I come across a name of God I always try to take a moment and breathe it in If I have my concordance nearby (or my cell phone – google) I’ll spend a few moments looking up the name and discovering its meaning. The names of God hold so much sustenance, it’s hard to contain that in words – which is when I like to allow that moment of worship and intimacy to overflow into journaling.

Bible Journaling gives me a creative and intimate way to meditate on God and His nature.

In a similar way, when I come across instances in the Bible where God’s sovereignty and nature are put on display – Bible journaling gives me a creative and intimate way to communicate my awe of who God is and my thankfulness for Him. It may not be essential to our faith, but Bible journaling is certainly something that can inspire our faith. That is what I like about it.

Click here to scroll Journaling Bible Amazon Page.

Best Journaling Bibles For Women

There are tons of different Bible Journaling Bibles out there. How do I choose a journaling Bible?

I look for Bibles that have wide margins, thick pages (so the ink doesn’t bleed through), a smooth design, and a solid translation. If you’re looking for a Bible specific to Bible journaling for beginners, you might appreciate a journaling Bible like this, where it comes with illustrations, Bible quotes, and calligraphy ready to color. So even if you aren’t artsy, you can create a personalized journaling Bible that you love!

Are you looking for something more traditional? Below is our list of top Bible Journaling Bibels that get the best reviews. We’ve organized them by translation so you can easily find Bibles in the translations you like.

Find Bible journals on DaySpring.

ESV Journaling Bibles

ESV Illuminated Bible

This ESV Journaling Bible is great for beginners! It includes 500 hand-lettered gold in illustrations that users can build off of as they study and engage with scripture. Click here to preview the art and illustrations!

Black ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
ESV Journaling Bible Leather cover (also single column)!
ESV Floral Soft Cover Journaling Bible

KJV Journaling Bible

KJV Journal the Word Floral Soft Cover Bible

Similar to the Journal the Word Bibles mentioned above, this KJV journaling Bible provided extra column space for journaling and notetaking so you can respond creatively to scripture as the Lord leads.

Leather KJV Notetaking Bible
KJV My Creative Journaling Bible – this KJV Journaling Bible includes 400 scripture illustrations for users to color as they study and think on God’s words.
Personal Reflections KJV Journaling Bible

NLT Journaling Bible

The NLT Inspire Bible: The Bible for Coloring and Creative Journaling

The inspire Bible is one of the best-selling Bible journals to date. It features large margins, large illustrations, comfortable text, and beautiful calligraphy throughout the pages that users can color and even add to. Click here to preview the Inspire NLT journaling Bible.

NLT Reflections Bible
Inspire Prayer NLT Journaling Bible – In addition to the amazing Bible journaling features of the Inspire Bible mentioned above, the Inspire Prayer NLT Journaling Bible includes 142 prayer prompts aimed to inspire personal and intimate prayer based on the Bible.

Journaling Bible NKJV

NKJV Journal the Word Journaling Bible

This one is for the independent journalers. It’s a single column wide margin Bible that gives you space to create as God inspires. This is the Bible Journal I’ve been using for the past three years and I love it! It’s the perfect space to reflect and worship in.

Journaling Bible NIV

NIV Beautiful Word Bible

This Bible is unique in that it not only comes with 100+ creative drawings for you to fill in as you worship and study and margin space for independent notes and doodling, it also comes with a “peel and stick” Bible book tabs.

Other Journaling Bibles

HCSB Illustrators Notetaking Bible

Think “Bible Journal + adult coloring book.” Each page of this Bible Journal is complemented with illustrations designed for you to fill with color. It includes scripture quotes, topical drawings, and elegant filigree.

My Creative Bible

The “My Creative Bible” is the perfect combination of creativity and notetaking. Its single column layout keeps the text easy to read, while the wide margins provide plenty of space for note-taking and independent journaling. It also includes nearly 400 scripture illustrations to color.

CSB Illustrating Bible- Spiral Bound Journaling Bible

This Bible by DaySpring is the best note taking Bible I’ve come across and also the PERFECT canvas for Bible Journaling. In fact, it was created specifically for it. It’s a spiral bound journaling Bible with thick pages and margins twice the size of traditional Bible Journals. The flat layout is especially helpful for notetaking and doodling. This is the only spiral-bound journaling Bible I have come across in my searches. I’ve had my eye on this one for a long time and am excited to get my hands on it!

Also available on Amazon!

One Year Bible Expressions

The chronological Bible meets Bible Journaling! If reading the Bible in a year has ever been a goal of yours, this Bible is for you! In addition to the one-year-reading plan, you can make your journey through the Bible unique and personal with the 100 inscribed Bible verses ready to meet your creativity PLUS additional space to write and create.

Explore our favorite Chronological Bibles here.

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Practical Bible Study Tips

I mentioned earlier how Bible Journaling isn’t essential to our faith but a tool that inspires it. For tips and help navigating the actual ESSENTIALS of Bible Study and Christ-like living, join our email community!