Journaling Bibles with Note Margins: Top Picks for Spiritual Reflection

Journaling Bibles have become popular among those who want to connect with scripture through creative expression.

These unique Bibles feature wide margins or blank spaces for notes, reflections, and artistic elements.

They encourage readers to engage with the text in a more personal and interactive way.

We found that journaling Bibles with note margins offer a perfect balance of scripture and space for personal insights.

These Bibles typically include thicker pages to prevent bleeding or ghosting when writing or drawing.

The extra room allows readers to jot down thoughts, prayers, or even create small illustrations alongside the biblical text.

When choosing a journaling Bible, it’s important to consider the size of the margins, the thickness of the pages, and the overall dimensions of the book.

The translation and font size are also crucial factors to ensure comfortable reading.

We spent weeks exploring various journaling Bibles to find options that combine readability with ample space for creativity.

Best Journaling Bibles with Note Margins

We’ve carefully selected the top Journaling Bibles with ample note margins to enhance your spiritual journey.

These Bibles offer plenty of space for personal reflections, insights, and creative expression alongside the sacred text.

Let’s explore our favorite options to help you find the perfect one for your needs.

NIV Journal the Word Bible

This Bible is perfect for anyone who wants a blend of readability and note-taking space.

✔️ Pros
  • Spacious margins for notes and reflections
  • Attractive teal cloth-over-board cover
  • Clear, comfortable print for easy reading
Cons
  • Thin pages may show through with heavy inking
  • Large size may not be ideal for travel
  • Limited color options available

We’ve been using this NIV Journal the Word Bible for a while now, and it’s quickly become our go-to for daily reading and study.

The double-column layout is easy on the eyes, and the Comfort Print font makes extended reading sessions a breeze.

The real star of the show is the extra-wide margins.

We’ve found them perfect for jotting down thoughts, sermon notes, or even small sketches inspired by the verses.

The cloth-over-board cover in teal is not only visually appealing but also durable enough to withstand regular use.

At 1088 pages, this Bible is comprehensive without feeling overwhelming.

The red-letter edition for Jesus’ words adds a nice touch to the overall reading experience.

While the pages are a bit thin, we’ve found that using colored pencils or fine-tip pens works well without much bleed-through.

Overall, this Bible has enhanced our study and reflection time significantly.

NIV Journal the Word Bible

This Bible is also a great choice for anyone looking for a personal, interactive study experience with ample space for notes and reflection.

✔️ Pros
  • Generous margins for notes and artwork
  • Soft, durable leathersoft cover
  • Easy-to-read Comfort Print font
Cons
  • Single ribbon marker
  • Thin pages may show through with some pens
  • Large size may not be ideal for travel

We’ve been using this NIV Journal the Word Bible for a few months now, and it’s become our go-to for daily study and reflection.

The soft, brown leathersoft cover feels luxurious in our hands, making it a pleasure to pick up and use regularly.

The standout feature is undoubtedly the wide margins on each page.

We’ve found them perfect for jotting down insights, prayers, or even small sketches related to the verses.

It’s like having a built-in journal right next to the scriptures.

The Comfort Print font is a blessing for our eyes during long reading sessions.

We appreciate how clear and legible the text is, even in low light conditions.

The red-letter edition for Jesus’ words adds a nice touch, helping us quickly locate specific passages.

While we love this Bible, there are a few minor drawbacks.

We wish it had more than one ribbon marker for easier navigation between different sections.

Also, the pages are quite thin, so we’ve had to be careful about which pens we use to avoid bleed-through.

Lastly, its size and weight make it less convenient for carrying to church or Bible study groups.

NIV Journal the Word Bible

This Bible is our last recommendation for anyone who wants to deepen their study and reflection through note-taking and creative expression.

✔️ Pros
  • Spacious margins for notes and artwork
  • High-quality hardcover construction
  • Clear and readable Comfort Print typeface
Cons
  • Thin pages may show some bleed-through
  • Font size may be small for some readers
  • Lacks “Holy Bible” on the cover

We’ve been using this NIV Journal the Word Bible for a few weeks now, and it’s quickly become our go-to for daily study.

The wide margins are perfect for jotting down thoughts, prayers, and even small sketches.

We love how the extra space encourages us to engage more deeply with the text.

The hardcover feels sturdy and durable, which is great for frequent use.

The black exterior gives it a sleek, professional look that we appreciate.

While flipping through the pages, we noticed the Comfort Print typeface is easy on the eyes, making extended reading sessions more enjoyable.

One thing to keep in mind is the paper thickness.

Like many Bibles, the pages are quite thin.

We’ve found that some pens and highlighters can show through, so we recommend testing your writing tools first.

Despite this minor issue, we’re thrilled with how this Bible has enhanced our study time and allowed us to create a personalized record of our spiritual journey.

ESV Single Column Journaling Bible (Lulie Wallace)

This beautifully designed journaling Bible is perfect for anyone who wants a Bible that’s both stylish and practical.

✔️ Pros
  • Stunning floral cover design
  • Single-column text layout
  • Ample space for notes and reflections
Cons
  • Thin pages may show through
  • Font size may be small for some
  • Note margins could be wider

When we first held this Bible, we were immediately struck by its cloth-over-board cover featuring Lulie Wallace’s “In Bloom” design.

It’s a visual treat that makes us eager to dive into our daily readings.

Opening the Bible, we appreciated the single-column text layout.

This format makes for a smooth reading experience, reminiscent of reading a novel rather than a traditional Bible.

The wide margins on each page provide a generous canvas for our thoughts, prayers, and artistic expressions.

We found the paper quality to be decent, though it’s worth noting that some ink may show through due to the thinness of the pages.

We’ve been using colored pencils for our notes and illustrations to minimize this issue.

The font size is readable, but those with visual impairments might find it challenging.

Despite these minor drawbacks, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed using this Bible for our daily devotions and creative journaling.

KJV Notetaking Bible, Large Print

This Bible is perfect for anyone who wants a blend of readability and note-taking space.

✔️ Pros
  • Large, easy-to-read print
  • Wide margins for extensive notes
  • Beautiful brown LeatherTouch cover
Cons
  • May be bulky for some users
  • Thin pages require careful writing
  • Higher price point

We’ve been using this KJV Notetaking Bible for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with its thoughtful design.

The large print is a game-changer for our eyes during long study sessions.

We appreciate how the single-column format makes reading feel more natural, like a regular book.

The wide margins are perfect for jotting down our thoughts and insights.

We’ve found that using pencils or fine-tipped pens works best to prevent bleed-through on the thin pages.

The faux leather cover feels luxurious and durable, giving us confidence it’ll withstand years of use.

At 3 pounds, it’s not the lightest Bible we’ve used, but the extra weight is a fair trade-off for the ample writing space and readable text.

We love how each book starts on a right-side page, providing a clean layout for our notes.

The red-letter text for Jesus’ words adds a nice touch, making it easy to find specific passages.

CSB Large Print Notetaking Bible

This beautiful and practical journaling Bible is perfect for anyone who wants a Bible that’s both stylish and practical.

✔️ Pros
  • Large, easy-to-read print
  • Ample margin space for notes
  • High-quality, durable construction
Cons
  • Larger size may be less portable
  • Pages may initially stick together
  • Higher price point

When we first picked up this CSB Notetaking Bible, we were immediately impressed by its elegant camel LeatherTouch cover.

The soft, textured material feels luxurious in hand and gives the Bible a premium look.

Opening the Bible, we found the large print text to be a pleasure to read.

The single-column layout and wide margins provide plenty of space for personal reflections, sermon notes, or artistic expressions.

We appreciate how the lightly lined margins offer guidance without being overly intrusive.

At 1424 pages, this Bible is substantial.

While it may not be the most portable option for daily carry, it’s perfect for home study or bringing to church services.

The quality construction ensures it will hold up well to frequent use.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a journaling Bible with note margins, we recommend considering a few key factors.

Paper Quality

Look for thick, high-quality paper that won’t bleed through easily.

This allows for smoother writing and coloring experiences.

Margin Space

Check the width of the margins.

Wider margins provide more room for notes, drawings, and creative expression.

Cover Material

Consider durability and personal preference.

Options typically include:

  • Hardcover
  • Leather
  • Imitation leather
  • Paperback

Text Size and Font

Choose a font size that’s comfortable for reading.

Some Bibles offer larger print options for easier legibility.

Translation

Select a Bible translation that aligns with your preferences and understanding.

Popular choices include:

  • NIV
  • ESV
  • KJV
  • NKJV

Additional Features

We suggest looking for these helpful extras:

  • Ribbon markers
  • Index tabs
  • Concordance
  • Maps

Size and Weight

Think about portability.

Larger Bibles offer more space but may be less convenient for travel.

By considering these factors, we can find a journaling Bible that suits our needs and encourages regular use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Journaling Bibles with note margins are popular tools for spiritual reflection and study.

We’ve compiled answers to some common questions to help you choose and use these Bibles effectively.

What are the best features to look for in a Journaling Bible with note margins?

We recommend looking for acid-free paper to prevent yellowing over time.

Wide margins of at least 2 inches provide ample space for notes and artwork.

A durable cover protects your Bible during frequent use.

Some editions offer lined margins for neater note-taking.

How wide are the margins in a typical Wide Margin Bible?

Most Wide Margin Bibles have margins between 1.5 to 2.5 inches wide.

Some premium editions offer even wider margins up to 3 inches.

The exact width can vary by publisher and edition.

What types of pens are best for writing in Journaling Bibles without bleeding through the pages?

We suggest using archival-quality pens with fine tips.

Pigma Micron pens and Sakura Gelly Roll pens are popular choices.

Bible highlighters and colored pencils also work well without bleeding through thin Bible pages.

Can you recommend some cute and functional Journaling Bibles with ample space for notes?

The ESV Illuminated Bible features gold ink illustrations and wide margins.

The NIV Journal the Word Bible offers colorful cloth-over-board cover options, and the NKJV Journal the Word Bible offers a classic leather-look with generous writing space.

How can I organize my thoughts and reflections effectively using the margins of a Journaling Bible?

We suggest using a color-coding system to categorize your notes.

Try dedicating specific margins to prayers, personal reflections, or cross-references.

Some readers use symbols or icons to mark recurring themes or important verses.

Are there any Journaling Bibles available with both note margins and explanations?

Yes, several options combine wide margins with study notes.

The ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition alternates blank pages with Bible text.

The NKJV Study Bible, Personal Size, includes both study notes and extra-wide margins for personal annotations.

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Lauren Bauer

Lauren Bauer is a dedicated editor with a passion for Christian living and helping others grow in their faith. With a background in spiritual writing and content curation, she brings a unique blend of creativity and deep biblical understanding to her role. Lauren is committed to providing meaningful, faith-centered resources that inspire readers to live with purpose, grace, and joy. Her approach emphasizes practical application of biblical wisdom, aiming to support Christians in their daily walk with Christ. Through her work, she seeks to create a welcoming space where individuals can explore and deepen their spiritual journeys.