There is a special kind of quiet that happens when you open a Bible with empty margins.
An ESV journaling Bible on the table, a couple of pens nearby, maybe a highlighter or two. The pages are thin, the lines are small, and the space beside Scripture feels both inviting and a little intimidating. You want to write something meaningful there, but where do you even start?
Two questions usually show up at the same time:
- Which ESV journaling Bible should I choose?
- And once I have it, how do I actually journal in it?
In this guide, we will walk through both. First, we will look at the different formats of ESV journaling Bibles, including the ESV journaling study Bible option. Then we will move into the fun part: how to color code, take notes, and try verse mapping, all in a way that feels gentle and doable. Along the way, I will mention a few tools, like Mr. Pen highlighters and fineliners, that make the whole process smoother.
You do not need to be an artist. You do not even need to consider yourself “a journaling person.” You only need curiosity, a Bible, and a willingness to let the margins become part of your conversation with God.
Why an ESV Journaling Bible in the First Place?
An ESV journaling Bible is simply an edition of the English Standard Version that has been designed with extra writing space. That space might be wide margins along the side of the text, fully blank pages between printed pages, or a layout that makes notes and drawings easier to add.
The reason many people choose ESV for journaling is its translation style. The ESV is often described as “essentially literal.” In practice, that means it stays close to the wording and structure of the original languages while still reading like modern English. For journaling, verse mapping, and word-focused study, that clarity and consistency can be very helpful.
Instead of paraphrasing ideas in very loose language, the ESV tends to keep key words steady. If you enjoy tracing themes, marking repeated phrases, or comparing one verse to another, the ESV gives you a solid backbone to work with.
Once you know you like the ESV, the next step is choosing the layout that fits your habits and personality.
Choosing Your Layout: Types of ESV Journaling Bibles
Not all journaling Bibles are shaped the same. The layout you choose will quietly shape the way you interact with the text. Here are the main types you will see.
Single-column ESV Journaling Bible
In a single-column ESV journaling Bible, the text runs down one column on each page, with a wide margin on one or both sides.
What it feels like:
- Clean, book-like reading experience
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A steady river of text with a gentle bank of white space beside it
Why you might love it:
- Enough room for notes, prayers, and simple sketches
- Does not feel overwhelming or “too crafty”
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Great for daily reading where you occasionally jot thoughts or draw small symbols
If you are buying your very first journaling Bible and you are not sure what your style is yet, a single-column layout is a very safe and flexible choice.
Interleaved ESV Journaling Bible
An interleaved edition has something special. Between every printed page of Scripture, there is a completely blank page. One page for the biblical text, one page for you.
What it feels like:
- A built in sketchbook between the chapters
- Room to breathe, process, and experiment
Why you might love it:
- Space for long written prayers
- Space for full page art or illustrated faith
- Room to do detailed verse maps, sermon notes, or outlines
This format is thicker and heavier. It can also feel intimidating if you are afraid of “ruining” a page. But if you write a lot or you are drawn to Bible art, interleaved ESV editions are like a playground for the soul.
Large print ESV Journaling Bible
Large print journaling Bibles increase the font size and usually make the overall book a little bigger to keep things comfortable.
What it feels like:
- Your eyes can finally relax
- Reading feels less like squinting and more like breathing
Why you might love it:
- Easier to read at night, early in the morning, or with tired eyes
- Space in the margins often feels more usable, because you are not fighting tiny print
If you have ever abandoned a Bible because the text was too small, a large print journaling Bible can be a kindness to your future self.
Spiral bound or lay flat ESV Journaling Bible
Some journaling Bibles are spiral bound or have special lay flat binding. They open and stay open without effort.
What it feels like:
- A workbook or sketchbook that just happens to be Scripture
- No need to hold pages down while you write or paint
Why you might love it:
- Perfect for desk-based journaling
- Ideal for people who use washi tape, stickers, brushes, or stencils
- The page feels like a stable canvas
The trade off is portability. These Bibles can be bulkier, which makes them better for home use than for tossing in a small bag.
ESV Journaling Study Bible
An ESV journaling study Bible adds another layer to the experience. Alongside the biblical text, you also get study notes, maps, cross references, and sometimes introductions to each book. The layout still includes margin space, but usually less than a dedicated journaling edition.
What it feels like:
- A mini library and journal combined
- Explanations at the bottom of the page, your reflections in the side margins
Why you might love it:
- Helps you understand historical context and tricky passages
- Lets you respond directly to study notes with your own insights or questions
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Perfect if you are newer to Bible study and want a guide
If you prefer to engage with Scripture through both information and reflection, an ESV journaling study Bible can be a very satisfying “all in one” choice.
Matching Yourself to a Format
A quick way to decide:
- Minimalist note taker who wants clarity and simplicity
Try a single-column ESV journaling Bible.
- Heavy writer or artist who fills pages easily
Look for an interleaved edition or a spiral bound style.
- Reader whose eyes get tired or who often reads at night
Consider a large print journaling Bible.
- Someone who loves commentaries, context, and footnotes
Explore an ESV journaling study Bible.
Once you have an idea of format, it is time to think about tools.
Gathering Your Tools: Gentle Essentials
You do not need an entire craft store to start journaling. There are only a few essentials that make a big difference, especially with thin Bible paper.
Non bleeding highlighters
Regular office highlighters often bleed through and leave neon shadows on the next page. Bible specific highlighters, like those from Mr. Pen, are usually softer and designed to play kindly with thin paper.
Look for:
- Non bleed or gel highlighters
- Softer, more muted colors
- A small set of 4 to 6 shades to keep things simple
Fineliners or gel pens
You will want pens that write cleanly in small spaces and do not feather too much.
Consider:
- Fine tips for margin notes
- Black, dark gray, or a small set of colors
- Testing every pen on a blank page in the back of your Bible first
Mr. Pen fineliners or gel pen sets can be a good starting point because they are affordable and designed with notebook and Bible users in mind.
Optional extras
If you enjoy a little extra structure or decoration, you might add:
- Tabs to mark books or themes
- Sticky notes or tip in cards for longer reflections
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Simple stencils and washi tape for those who like a touch of creativity without full page art
The key is not to overwhelm yourself. One journaling Bible, a couple of highlighters, and one or two pens are more than enough to begin.
How to Actually Journal in Your ESV Bible
Now for the part that usually feels scary. What do you write in the margins?
The secret is to start small and repeatable. Here are a few approaches that even non artistic, non “journal people” can use.
A simple color coding system
Create a color legend in the front or back of your Bible. For example:
- Yellow – God’s character, who God is
- Pink – Promises
- Blue – Commands or instructions
- Green – My identity in Christ, encouragement
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Orange – Warnings or conviction
Use Mr. Pen highlighters or any soft palette you like. As you read, highlight phrases according to the category they fit.
Why this helps:
- Your eyes begin to notice patterns over time
- You can flip through and quickly spot promises, commands, or descriptions of God
- It gives your hands something simple and purposeful to do while you read
Keep it simple. You can always add colors or adjust your system later.
Easy margin notes
Margin notes do not have to be deep or poetic. Think of them as little mile markers along your reading.
Here are four types you can rotate through:
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Observation notes
Answer the question “What do I see?”
Example: “Jesus repeats ‘do not fear’ three times in this section.”
- Application notes
Answer “What might this mean for my life today?”
Example: “I often worry about my job. This reminds me that God cares for me more than the birds.”
- Question notes
Capture what you do not understand yet.
Example: “Why does Paul use this image? Ask or look up later.”
- Prayer notes
Turn a verse into a short prayer.
Example: “Lord, help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak today.”
You can mark each type with a little symbol at the beginning, such as Q for question, a heart for prayer, or an exclamation mark for conviction. This keeps your margins organized without needing fancy layouts.
Verse mapping for word lovers
Verse mapping is a simple way to slow down on one verse and study it more deeply.
Try this:
- Pick one verse from your reading that caught your attention.
- Circle or underline key words or phrases.
- In the margin, draw arrows out from those words and write:
- A synonym or short definition
- A note from a study Bible or commentary
- A cross reference to another verse that uses the same idea
Because the ESV is more literal, it tends to use consistent terms across passages. That makes verse mapping especially satisfying. Over time, you will start to see how ideas link and echo through the Bible.
Combining Bible and separate journal
You might already keep a separate notebook. If so, you can let your ESV journaling Bible and your journal work together.
Two patterns:
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Read in your Bible, highlight and write short notes in the margins, then move to your notebook to expand on one or two thoughts.
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Take long notes in your notebook first, then come back to your Bible later and add the distilled insight or the key sentence into the margin.
If you write something longer in your journal, you can note “see journal page 23” in the margin beside the verse. That way, your Bible and your notebook stay in conversation.
A Gentle Walkthrough: One Passage, Step by Step
Sometimes it helps to see the whole process on a single small passage. Here is a simple routine you can use.
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Choose a short section. A few verses in a Psalm or a small paragraph from a Gospel works well.
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Read the passage once, slowly.
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Highlight according to your color code. Pick at least one phrase about God’s character, one promise, and one command or invitation, if they are present.
- Add two margin notes:
- One observation about what is happening in the text
-
One application or prayer about how it connects to your life today
2. Choose one key verse and do a mini verse map:
- Circle one important word
- Write one synonym, one short definition, and one way that word shows up in your life this week
Then close the Bible, take a breath, and notice how the page now feels different. It is no longer just printed words. It carries your voice too.
How to Choose the Right ESV Journaling Bible for You
At this point, you might already have a sense of which format fits. To clarify it even more, ask yourself:
- Do I tend to write short notes or long reflections?
- Do I usually read on the couch, at a desk, or on the go?
- Do my eyes get tired easily with small print?
- Am I more drawn to words, to visual art, or to a mix of both?
Then match your preferences:
- Short notes, clean layout, portable
Single-column ESV journaling Bible
- Long reflections, prayers, art
Interleaved or spiral bound edition
- Sensitive eyes or long reading sessions
Large print journaling Bible
- Love for background information and commentary
ESV journaling study Bible
Whatever you choose, consider pairing it with a small, reliable toolkit. A handful of Mr. Pen highlighters, a few fineliners, and maybe some tabs can live in a pouch next to your Bible so there is as little friction as possible when you sit down to read.
Explore the Mr. Pen ESV Journaling Bibles Collection
If you are ready to make ESV your journaling home, the Mr. Pen ESV journaling Bibles collection is a lovely place to start exploring. Their editions are designed with generous margins for notes, prayers, and verse mapping, and the covers feel sturdy enough for years of daily use. Pair one with a few Mr. Pen highlighters and fineliners, and you have a simple, beautiful setup for quiet time that actually invites you to write.
Your ESV Journaling Bible as a Lived In Conversation
In the beginning, the margins might feel too white, too empty. That is normal. Over time, as you highlight a little here, add a question there, trace one word across a page, something quiet happens. Your ESV journaling Bible starts to look less like a pristine object and more like a record of an ongoing relationship.
You will see dates beside verses where you needed comfort. Small prayers next to passages that challenged you. Arrows and symbols that only you understand. It becomes less about “doing Bible journaling right” and more about showing up with honesty.
You do not have to fill every space. You do not have to create museum worthy pages. You simply need to return, one passage at a time, with a pen in your hand and a heart that is willing to listen.
Let the margins grow slowly. Let the pages become soft at the edges. One day you will flip through and realize that this is not just a book you read. It is a story you lived with, line by line, in ink and in real time.