ESV Journaling Bible – Book Review
Did you know that one of the biggest trends to hit the Christian community in recent years is Bible Journaling (also known as Faith Journaling?) Bible Journaling is a creative method of documenting your spiritual journey through both traditional and artistic journaling in the pages of your Bible.
As interest in Bible Journaling has increased, so has the demand for wide margin and specialty journaling Bibles – to the extent that the demand for these types Bibles often exceeds the supply!
That’s why I could not be more excited to introduce you to the beautiful ESV Journaling Bible in the Blue Flora Design. This unique Bible is unlike any wide-margin Bible I’ve ever seen.
The first thing that makes the ESV Journaling Bible unique is the protective case that it comes in. When not in use, you can store this Bible on your library bookshelves in the case to protect your art and insights from dust, sunlight and other detrimental things.
Next, when you slip the ESV Journaling Bible out of its protective case, you’ll find yourself face to face with a book that does not resemble a traditional Bible at all, but looks like a beautiful, floral-covered fabric journal you’d expect to find in a quaint Bed and Breakfast in the English countryside.
The book is lightweight, comfortable to hold – it’s more square-shaped than rectangular and definitely a non-standard Bible size. When you open the ESV Journaling Bible, you’ll find black letter text on cream-colored paper in a double-column, paragraph format. The book contains 2 inch ruled margins on the sides, but the ruling is faint – just enough to guide those who are writing, but barely there so as not to distract those who are using the margins for artistic purposes.
I opened the ESV Journaling Bible in several places and it lay nice and flat no matter what pages I turned to, inviting me to sit down and journal in it without feeling like I was breaking the spine.
Other features include a One Year Bible Reading Plan and Introductions for each Bible book (these appear in the back of the Bible).
What I love about the ESV Journaling Bible is the beautiful Blue Flora fabric design, the protective cover, and the journal-like quality of this Bible. This Bible beckons you to share your spiritual observations, reflections, prayers, praises and journal entries inside its creamy pages.
What I did not care for in the ESV Journaling Bible is that the 7.5 font makes it difficult for many readers – myself included – to read. I’d love to see Crossway make a larger print, larger scale version of this exact same Bible for those of us who have larger handwriting – prefer even more journaling space – and who have trouble reading tiny fonts.
Regardless, if you are looking for a beautiful journaling Bible for yourself or someone special – the ESV Journaling Bible in the Blue Flora Design makes a great gift and lasting keepsake for anyone who values God’s Word.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
About Crossway
The purpose of Crossway has been, from its founding as a not-for-profit ministry in 1938, to publish gospel-centered, Bible-centered content that will honor our Savior and serve His Church. They seek to help people understand the massive implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God.
Resources
For More Information
- Visit the Crossway Website.
- Visit the ESV Journaling Bible Product Page.
- Connect with Crossway on Facebook and Twitter.
- The ESV Journaling Bible is available on Amazon.
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The ESV Journaling Bible – Book Giveaway
Would you like the chance to own a copy of the ESV Journaling Bible? Create With Joy is excited to offer one of our US/Canadian readers a chance to win this book!
To enter this giveaway, please follow Create With Joy, leave a comment, and submit your entries through the Rafflecopter form. This giveaway is open to Create With Joy readers, 18 years and older, who reside in the United States or Canada, and is open now through Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST.
Additional Information
The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. The sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. The winner releases Create With Joy from all liability associated with this product/contest. All decisions by Create With Joy are final. The complete Terms and Conditions are listed on the Rafflecopter form. By submitting an entry, you are indicating that you have read and agree to these Official Rules.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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It is beautiful, Ramona! Thanks for the review and the opportunity!
Hello! I’m visiting from AEDM. I love the idea of bible journaling! This is the first I have heard of it, but what a wonderful way to record one’s spiritual journey. Thank you for sharing! :o)
Welcome Sherry – so nice to meet you!
Hope you’ll visit us again soon!
I personally don’t, but there may be a time coming up soon that I may start with the way the world is goin lately. I know my sister-in-law does and she would love love love to have something like this. With me having four children with spouses, 11 grandchildren, one great grandson, hubby & we also buy for his family of four. I may go bankrupt at Christmas time. bwahahahaha So I’m entering many give-aways this year. I’m crocheting and what I win if anything will be my help for Santa. Fingers crossed. This would be perfect for my BFF & sister-in-law! She’s a Christian Scientist. and I know she would love this.
Best of luck to you Marie!
What a beautiful Bible! I think I would keep this for myself. Is that wrong, , lol? Thanks for a great giveaway 🙂
Look at a win as a gift from God to you! 🙂
Best of luck Kelly (and no guilt should Rafflecopter draw your name!)
I do not journal, but I have a friend that would like this.
Best of luck to you Manda – I know your friend would love it!
This is very cool. Last week I stopped by one of the blogs linked to your inspire me Monday and they were creating such beautiful art in their bible which inspired me to start doing this as well! I just started in my personal bible not knowing they have printed bibles with large margins.. so awesome. Thank you for sharing and for your awesome blog. I am so happy I have stumbled across your space online. Blessings always. Misty.
Aren’t the gals who share their bible art journal and insights amazing Misty?
I am so thrilled to see they inspired you to start bible journaling too!
Best of luck to you in the giveaway.
I hope you’ll continue to join us for Inspire Me Monday – would love to see your art !:-)
I’ve never used one but would love to try one for myself!!! I would love to do both writing and art!
I tried my new ESV Journaling Bible, Sasha and I love it – I”m sure you will too!
I have really been wanting to try Bible journalling. This looks beautiful. I’m not familiar with the ESV, though.
Hi Marie,
The ESV (English Standard Vesion) translation is a modern, literal translation of the Bible that’s become popular in recent years.
You can read and compare the version to your current translation online at Bible Gateway.
Best of luck to you in the giveaway!
I think this Bible would be great, the ESV version is a favorite of mine and the wide margins would be perfect for jotting down notes.
Best of luck to you Brenda – you’ll love this Bible! 🙂
I just recently discovered Bible journaling and have wanted to purchase one. I also have wanted to do a year long Bible study so pairing would be great. In essence, I would love to win this.
Thanks for the opp.
Naila Moon
nailamoon1968 at gmail dot com
Best of luck to you Nalia – that’s a great pairing idea!
I mark things in my bible, but not necessarily art. This would be great for that. And for both me and my daughter to study from.
I have always journaled in my Bible but this special Bible inspired me to start artistically journaling!
I’m sure you and your daughter will love adding that extra dimension to your spiritual journey Colette!
I have always desired to have a Journaling Bible!! I have so many notes in my current Bible and always try to squeeze in art or typography but theres not enough room! I would be thrilled to win this! And my church and school reads from the ESV so this would be perfect! I live in Florida and my email is rachel_gage@aol.com.
Best of luck to you Rachel – if you win and start showing up with your beautiful Bible, you’re sure to start a journaling trend! 🙂
I’ve been journaling in a plain Bible but it would be so nice to try in a real journaling Bible. ??
It makes such a huge difference, even if you primarily write and take notes in your Bible – best of luck to you!
I have to admit that I would keep the bible. I have been wanting an ESV and journaling bible for a long time. I currently write tons of notes in my bible and the extra space would b greatly appreciated….plus, I could start drawing images to go with my notes. 🙂
Thank you for this opportunity.
It’s perfectly fine to keep these beautiful Bibles for yourself Bethany – best of luck to you in the giveaway! 🙂
This Bible looks lovely! Thanks for being a part of Booknificent Thursday this week!
Tina
What a beautiful bible. I love the cover. I’ve seen so many beautiful examples of Bible journaling and would love to start one.
In past Bibles I’ve taken notes, doodled, etc — the one I’ve been using lately is a smaller “slimline” Bible… very handy but not much space for journaling!
If I win this it would be for my mother. She has journals from bible study and church services. She will fill this with notes.
I have never had a journaling Bible, and am looking for something new to use for devotions in the new year!
Do you currently journal notes or art in your Bible? I don’t yet because my Bible doesn’t really have the room, but I love this Bible and would definitely add both notes and art.
Is this Bible for you or for someone else? I would want to keep it for myself. 😛
I live in Tennesee and my email is therock38545@hotmail.com
I’ve written in my Bibles before, but never journaled. Never had a Bible with enough room to do that, but I love this idea! I don’t do art because I’m not artistic. The Bible would definitely be for me.
mnjesusfreak @ gmail . com and I’m in MD
I’ve been wanting to journal and draw my way through a bible in a year study. What a great chance!
Marissa
I would love to win this Bible. I don’t have room to write in mine.
chronicallycontent@gmail.com I would keep it for myself.
Best of luck to you Lisa – you’ll love it! 🙂