ESV Journaling Bible – Review & Giveaway

ESV Journaling Bible 1

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.

ESV Journaling Bible 3

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.

ESV Journaling BIble 2

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.

ESV Journaling Bible 4L

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.

ESV Journaling Bible 5 - Compressed Left

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.

ESV Journaling Bible 6

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.

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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.

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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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121 Responses to “ESV Journaling Bible – Review & Giveaway”

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  1. Helen says:

    I love my ESV Journaling Bible. Yes, I am doing Bible Journaling and art journaling on a sketch book, too. My first journaling Bible was a Christmas gift from my beloved hubby. It is almost full now and need a new one for next journaling 🙂

    Thanks for the chance!

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Dear Helen,

      I considered contacting you about sharing some of your beautiful artwork in my post so that those who weren’t familiar with what I was talking about could see some examples – you always inspire me by what you share!

      How long did it take you to fill the pages of your current ESV Journaling Bible?

      This one is SO beautiful! I wish you the best of luck in the giveaway! 🙂

  2. Ayicia Murray says:

    Wow, I’d love to win this! I’ve been wanting to do journalling but my Bible doesn’t have extra space.

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Welcome Alycia – I’m SO excited to offer you the opportunity to win this beautiful Bible!
      I journal in mine but have not used any of mine for artistic renderings as of yet but am fascinated with the idea!
      Best of luck to you!

  3. Deb says:

    Thank you so much. I would love to win this.

  4. Carol says:

    What a lovely give away

  5. Jennifer says:

    I have been doodling in my bible for a couple months… Best thing that has ever happened to my quiet time. The bible will be either for me or my oldest daughter who just told me “she wants to grow up and be like mommy and paint in her bible.” Warm fuzzy all over!?

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Jennifer, that is SO lovely to hear! One of the nice things about these ESV Journaling Bibles from Crossway is that they come in a variety of designs and covers so both you and your daughter can pick your favorite designs (or you can have “mommy and daughter” Bibles!

      Best of luck to you in the giveaway!

  6. Shelia says:

    I do not have a Journaling Bible but would love to win one! Thanks for the opportunity!

  7. Karin Hunt says:

    Would love to win this beautiful Bible! Thanks for the opportunity!

  8. Lesley says:

    I’d love to give this to a friend!! I love my journaling bible!!

  9. Gina says:

    I just started faith journaling and I would LOVE to have this beautiful bible to use! Thanks for reviewing it.

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      I’m so happy I had a chance to review this beautiful Bible Gina –
      for those of you who do faith journal, we would LOVE to see some of your inspirations at one of our weekly blog parties (I host several) –
      we already have several creative faith bloggers who regularly share their art and insights with us!

      Best of luck to you in the giveaway!

  10. Carla Hayes says:

    Beautiful. Would love to win this to gift to a friend!

  11. grace says:

    Thank you for this giveaway . .been wanting to try this one but haven’t start yet (not sure how to do it). So this would help, to at least get the bible first. I have started just doodle or write any verses on regular notebook. Simple and less scary that way.

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Dear Grace,

      I know what you mean about it being scary to start – I have those same fears about messing up a beautiful Bible!
      You might find it helpful to go to You Tube and do a search on Bible Journaling and Faith Journaling –
      I’ve come across some wonderful videos filled with tips that are very helpful to beginners! 🙂

  12. Florence says:

    Thank you so much for this in-depth review and photos! I’ve been following a journaling group on FB for months now for inspiration, with no journaling Bible of my own (just yet!). Your post helped make up my mind on which Bible I should get—this one! 🙂

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Dear Florence,

      I’m so glad you found my review and photos helpful! I had trouble finding the type of in-depth information I would want to find about this Bible before making a decision to purchase so I did my best to answer the questions I would want to know!

      Best of luck in the giveaway – joining a FB journaling group is on my list of things to do!

  13. Kelly Solomon says:

    Would love to win this beautiful Bible! Thanks for the giveaway!

  14. Ellen says:

    I’ve been doodling in my Bible margins for over 20 years but just started “art” journaling in it this year. And I love it! This Bible sounds like it would be perfect for what I do. I may have to get some as gifts to give to friends also! Thank you for doing this give-away!

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Wouldn’t these ESV Bibles make wonderful gifts to share with your friends?
      Because they come in so many designs, you could pick your favorite for yourself and each of your friends!
      I love blue so this one is perfect in my book – but the others are so elegant and lovely,
      I think it’s nice to have choices when you fill your current one
      (like our friend Helen in the comments)!

  15. Melany Stevens says:

    Ooooo I’ve had my eye on this Bible. Love it! Thanks for the overview!

  16. Rebecca says:

    I love the rich blue color of this bible. Thank you for the detailed review. Been thinking of starting Bible journaling this bible looks perfect.

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      I love the rich blue color of this Bible too – and I also love the feel of the fabric in my hand (which I can only convey to you through my words!)

      Thanks for entering our giveaway Rebecca – best of luck to you! 🙂

  17. Gloria Herrera says:

    What a generous gift. Blessed whoever wins this!

  18. Brenda Ogle says:

    I would also love to see a journaling Bible in large print! This one is beautiful!

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Wouldn’t that be fabulous Ogle? Those large print Bibles are SO hard to find – a journaling Bible in large print would be a true treasure!

      This Bible is so lovely though – especially once you start to personalize it and make it your own!

  19. Melissa B
    Twitter: RecentBooks
    says:

    I dont have a Bible to journal in yet, I would love to win this one
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      You will love this Bible Melissa – it is SO pretty!
      Did you see the cookbook giveaway as well?
      I thought of you when I was looking through that book – I think you’d enjoy it very much! 🙂

  20. Tracey Daminato says:

    I have faith journals, but have never actually written in my Bible. It sounds so freeing. Would love to try that Bible, I think I would fill it up in no time. God Bless, and thank you so much for the opportunity to win it!

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Hi Tracey,

      Helen shared in the comments that she has filled up her first ESV Bible – a gift from her husband – in a year – which makes sense for a lot of us! Once you make your first mark in your Bible, you’ll be hooked – it really makes it your own!

      Best of luck to you Tracey!

  21. Dani says:

    I love art journaling in my Bible. It is such a fun way to connect with God and bring the Scriptures/message alive. I journal minimum once a day, most often I create between 2-3 pages a day. I’m on my second bible and it’s getting hard to close!

  22. Michelle H. says:

    I would love to win this! I’ve been wanting to try journaling.

  23. devin says:

    Nice, i just ordered a journaling bible but would love to win for my kid for her birthday because her favorite color is blue

  24. Teresa says:

    Thank you for the opportunity to win this beautiful Bible. I’ve just started my journey in Bible journaling, and I’m using a Bible that I picked up and dedicated as my “Legacy” Bible because of its larger margins that I can write my notes and thoughts in. However, the margins aren’t wide enough for a lot of the beautiful artistic Journaling that I’d like to do, so this ESV (my favorite translation) Journaling Bible would be so nice to win!

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Thanks Teresa for sharing that this, the ESV, is your favorite translation!
      I have been wanting to read this translation for SO long and this is my first real experience with it!

      So far I am liking the translation – for those who are unfamiliar with it, it is a modern literal translation that is considered to be extremely accurate. I just switched one of my online apps to ESV so I could become more familiar with it! 🙂

      Best of luck to you in the giveaway Teresa – those wider margins make a huge difference! 🙂

  25. Marilyn B. says:

    This is beautiful! I love the faint lines so you can write or draw!

  26. Joan Bandy says:

    If I were to win this Bible, I would soon replace the black one I purchased. For some reason, the first day I had it, the black backing started wearing on the corners. Sadness!

  27. Sandra says:

    I have always enjoyed underlining and making notes in my bible but have yet to have a bible with margins for even mire. This one is absolutely gorgeous with the color and design!

  28. Becky says:

    I’d love to win this. I’ve never journaled or done anything of the sort but would really love to

  29. Tanya says:

    I have written in my bible, but never journaled. The pages are very thin and there’s no room. I would love to try it!

  30. Catherine says:

    I love this! So pretty. I have never been one to write in my bibles, but this bible could turn that around, since my notes would be separate from God’s word a bit. My hubby has been after me to get an ESV bible, so this would be perfect and make both of us happy. 🙂 What a great surprise, right before Christmas. If I won, it would be under the tree Christmas morning, just waiting to be dug into with my kiddos all ears. Thanks for this opportunity!

  31. This is such an awesome giveaway! I’ve read so much about Bible journaling and more in-depth study that can come from spending time in the Word this way. Thanks for reviewing the Bible and offering great insight. The ESV is my favorite translation to study. 🙂
    Sharing on social media! Thank you!

  32. chickie brewer says:

    I try not to doodle in my bible… Although my notes do look like doodling… I would like to win this for a friend at church.

  33. Interesting concept. I could see how this would be a great idea.
    Thanks for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty link party.

  34. Donna says:

    I do Bible journaling but not in my Bible, I’d love to be able to do the journaling right in the Bible, what a great idea! Love your beautiful site!

  35. Dawn Paoletta (@breathoffaith)
    Twitter: breathoffaith
    says:

    What a beautiful Bible! I love to make notes in my Bible. I am more of a highlight and head to the side to add a note girl than art journaling. I would love to write poetic responses in the side notes as they come to me…as much of my poetry is prompted while reading scripture, and I usually jot in the journal… thanks for the chance. It will be for me…because I would love to try this Bible. THe font would be a challenge, but one never knows.

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      Dawn I love your poetry and that would be a wonderfully creative use for this Bible!

      The font is a challenge for me but since I have other larger print Bibles for reading as well as Bible apps, I’ve decided to go ahead and use this Bible to incorporate art and special notes I want to add to my Bible (even if I’m doing my actual reading elsewhere!)

  36. Dandi D says:

    I would love to win this for my sister for Christmas! It would be such a great gift!

  37. Katrina Epperson says:

    What a wonderful giveaway. No, I don’t journal in my bible, but do keep a pad and pen to take notes on. If I were to win this would be for my daughter as a Christmas present. She has wanted one for a long time. Of course then I would purchase one for myself. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
    Blessings
    eppersonkatrina(at) yahoo (dot) com

    • Create With Joy
      Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
      says:

      The nice thing about that Katrina is that Crossway has MANY beautiful designs to choose from –
      I love this design but to be honest – I love them all! 🙂

  38. Pamela says:

    This is so awesome – beautiful covers

  39. Katrina Epperson says:

    What a wonderful giveaway!! If I were to be lucky enough to win this, I would give it to my daughter for Christmas. She has been wanting a journaling bible that is EVS. Then I would purchase one for myself. Great review. Thank you for sharing and the opportunity to win.
    Blessings
    eppersonkatrina (at) yahoo (dot) com

  40. Tiffany says:

    Those have beautiful covers!

  41. Galina says:

    I think the bible would be for my daughter.

  42. Kelly Youngblood says:

    I do currently journal in my Daily Bible in Chronological Order. I do not have a Journaling Bible and have asked for one for Christmas, so this would be for me. I love journaling as I find it relaxing, engaging in His Word, and therapeutic. This helps me to really dig in and also to remember the scriptures more. Thank you for the giveaway and the chance to win. 🙂
    Blessings,
    Kelly

  43. I write a bit in my Bible because there’s not much space, I don’t do as much as I would like to. This is amazing. I would LOVE to win this.

    Thank you for the opportunity!

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

  44. Amanda says:

    I’d love to win this for my daughter!

  45. Kaylene says:

    This is perfect!!! I’m looking for a journaling Bible & a new for me version! 🙂 cross my fingers! 😉

  46. Shakeia Rieux says:

    This would be for my mom,she always write down certain scriptures from the bible every time she reads it

  47. Candace says:

    I love the cover of this! What a fantastic giveaway. I will definitely share it. Thanks for letting me know about it :)!

  48. Jolena says:

    I currently journal in a separate book. Sometimes doodles end up in there as my brain contemplates the things I am reading and as the Lord uses His word to instruct me. I had just heard about these bibles a week or so ago and would love to own one.

  49. Bev says:

    What a beautiful bible. I have wanted to try journaling in a bible for some time. What a unique way to start.

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