Bible journaling doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler it is, the more likely I am to stick with it—and enjoy it! In today’s post, I want to walk you through the everyday supplies I use when I sit down to spend time in God’s Word. These are the bare minimum tools that make my time in Scripture meaningful, beautiful, and totally doable. Whether you're new to Bible journaling or just looking to simplify your routine, I hope this helps!
1. Highlighters & Pens—My Daily Go-To’s
Let’s start with the obvious: highlighters and pens. These are my tried-and-true essentials. I like to keep it super simple when I’m reading my everyday Bible. When something jumps out at me, I highlight it. That’s it!
Sometimes I’ll also underline key parts with a pen or write a short note in the margin. I’ve found that this layering—highlight + pen—makes the verse really pop when I return to it later. It’s all about what speaks to my heart in the moment.
Right now, I’m using a blue Mr. Pen highlighter, and I’m loving it! It’s such a perfect shade—bright, but not overwhelming. Blue is definitely my color this year.
2. Transparent Sticky Notes—Bible Margin Magic
I’m obsessed with Mr. Pen’s transparent sticky notes—especially the smaller ones! They fit perfectly in the margins of most journaling Bibles, which makes them ideal for jotting down reflections, prayers, or questions without writing directly on the page.
Again, blue is my current favorite (can you tell?), but there are lots of great colors to choose from. And because they’re transparent, you don’t lose the beauty of the Scripture underneath.
3. Pretty Index Cards—For Scripture Memory
Scripture memorization is a big part of my routine, and these Mr. Pen index cards are my go-to for that. I’ll write out a memory verse and keep it with me or place it somewhere I’ll see often.
For example, today I wrote out a verse I want to meditate on both morning and night. I also revisit Psalm 139 every evening, which has become such a sweet part of my day.
4. Magnetic Bookmarks—So Fun + Functional!
I recently picked up some magnetic bookmarks from Mr. Pen's Esther Kit, and I love how they match my Bible tabs—so satisfying! These little bookmarks are a simple way to mark key passages like Psalm 139, and they add such a fun touch to your Bible pages.
I’m also planning to update my current tabs to the more aesthetic clear ones from the same kit soon. The look is just so clean and modern, and honestly, I’m kind of over the ones I’ve been using. They’re starting to peel a bit, so a refresh is coming!
5. New Goodies I Can’t Wait to Try
Okay, full disclosure—I haven’t used these yet, but I just got some adorable sticky notes from Mr. Pen that I cannot wait to add to my vision board. They’re small, aesthetic, and totally my vibe. I’m dreaming up ways to use them creatively, and you’ll probably see them pop up in my next journaling session.
6. Prayer & Bible Study Journals—Ready When I Am
I also want to mention two more amazing tools from Mr. Pen:
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The Prayer Journal (created with the lovely Melina Ciatti) is such a well-designed space to track what you’re praying for and how the Lord is answering. It’s beautiful and intentional. There are even versions for your son or daughter, which I think is so special.
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The Bible Study Journal is another great tool that I haven’t used a ton yet, but I’m super excited to dive into it more. It’s perfect if you want to go deeper in your study and keep everything organized and separate from your Bible pages.
That’s It—My Simple, Everyday Essentials
So there you have it—my bare minimum Bible journaling tools! These are the things I use every single day in my quiet time. They help keep my time in the Word simple, beautiful, and focused on what matters most: growing closer to the Lord.
Do you use any of these tools in your Bible journaling routine? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you. Until next time, happy journaling!