CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible – Bible Review
What is your favorite way to study the Bible? Do you like to:
- Read and highlight key passages?
- Take notes in the margins?
- Color and artistically illustrate the Word?
- All of the above?
Exciting news: whichever method of Bible study best fits your style, the new CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible, Large Print Edition from Holman Bible Publishers helps you do it all!
I just received my copy of the CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible, Large Print Edition and I am blown away by its beauty and functionality! As a creative Christian who answered “all of the above” to the previous question, I am drawn to Bibles like these that allow me to connect with God in a way that engages all of my senses.
Is this the right Bible for you? Here’s a few observations to help you decide:
- First, this Bible is large and heavy – perfect for home use – and packaged for gift-giving. There is lots of room in this Bible to write, take notes, and create your own artwork. It comes in the CSB translation in your choice of four colors and cover designs. I received the beautiful, neutral cream colored version which comes in LeatherTouch with a lovely flower embossed on the front cover. The Bible is comfortable and flexible to hold. The Bible is well made and includes two coordinating ribbons to hold your place in the Old and New Testaments.
- On the inside, the Bible features a single-column setting and wide journaling margins with artwork on every two-page spread. There are more than 600 inspirational line-art illustrations, filigree designs, Scripture quotes, and other unique Scripture art designs that invite you to engage with God’s Word in fresh and exciting ways! At the same time, there are plenty of blank white margins on each two-page spread that invite you to customize and personalize the Bible however you like! The 9.5 font provides the perfect mix between readability and practicality.
- While this Bible is focused on helping you engage with Scripture, worship God creatively and chronicle your spiritual journey, there are a few aids that will help you as well: a one-year Reading Plan, a concordance and a set of full-color maps.
Whether you’re looking for a new Bible to help you revitalize your time with God or a special gift to give to a friend or a loved one, the CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible will help you experience the joy of the Lord for many years to come!
Be sure to order your copy of the CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible today (or act fast for a chance to win a copy of this Bible for your very own!)
CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible – Bible Giveaway
If you live in the US and would like the opportunity to win a copy of this Bible, please leave a comment letting me know how you use your Bible (see the questions at the beginning of the article) AND include your name and full mailing address in the comments (no PO Boxes). (Your personal information will NOT be published – only I will see it). This will allow me to choose and submit a winner to the publisher by April 24, 2025).
And The Winner Is…
Congratulations to Jaycelyn Akana – you are the winner of our Bible Giveaway!
Your information has been sent to the publisher, who has indicated you should receive your Bible in the next few weeks!
Thanks to everyone who entered – I enjoyed reading your comments!
Be on the lookout for another special opportunity coming up in the next few weeks!
Resources
For More Great Books
- Visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews.
- Follow Create With Joy on GoodReads.
- Follow Create With Joy on Amazon.
Disclosure: Thanks to Lifeway for providing me with a sample of this product to review.
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Hello! The Bible I rec’d in 1999 is FULL of my notes in the wide margins! This has been SO HELPFUL to me. It should be standard in all study Bibles. I also highlight and underline and box words. I do not draw/doodle/illustrate, so I’m wondering if the light illustrations will interfere with my notetaking. It is a very pretty Bible though – great to give as a gift to a new Christian! CSB is my husband’s favorite version, though I haven’t read it yet.
Thanks Janine for sharing – I have copied/removed your address info and have you on my list of valid entries! 🙂
Love that you have filled your previous Bible – could not agree with you more that there should be space in all Bibles for notetaking! I was thinking about your question about whether or not the light illustrations would interfere with note-taking as well. On each 2-page spread (with the exception of the opening of Genesis where there are illustrations on both pages), there is always one page dedicated to notetaking/journaling and the illustrations vary in size – some are full column, others are partial. I think that for me (as much as I enjoy coloring, I’m more a note taker these days) I would probably just put a post it note or a tip-in over it to write if I need the space on one of the illustrating pages). But there is also usually more room at the end of the chapter where you could cross-reference any additional entries there!
The CSB is a very easy translation to read. It is especially good for devotional time and for reading through the Bible in a year! 🙂
Beautiful Bible, Ramona! I am journal my prayers in the margins kind of girl! But also quotes, notes… I’m not a big artist but occasionally attempt a drawing- I like that this has light drawings. I love the variety of bibles available these days ! This one looks exceptional!
I think you said leave address but I feel weird to do it… Just remove if I misunderstood! Love Dawn!
Thanks Dawn for sharing and entering the giveaway – I am jotting down the addresses of anyone who leaves a valid comment for the giveaway and removing them before posting (as you can see) so I have your info and you are on my entry list!
I love how you journal and share your faith on your blog! I forgot to mention in the review that the notetaking space is lightly lined for those who like guide lines (but light enough that it is not intrusive for those who are using the Bible for artistic expression).
I have been pleased with all of the Bibles I have gotten from Lifeway. They do a really nice job with their CSB line! 🙂
I like that this Bible is a large print edition. I am a huge note taker in my Bible. It helps me so much. I also like to art journal in a journaling Bible I have. I’ve never been a highlighter, on an underliner. 🙂 I would be very interested in the one year reading plan. I think my daughter would love this Bible. Thanks for sharing! ????
I bet your Bible is beautiful Crystal since you are so creative!
This Bible would make a wonderful gift for your daughter!
This looks beautiful. I have a KJV with similar font and margins for notes, but not illustrations. I only got it recently and haven’t filled it up yet, my older one has so many notes it’s getting hard to read!
I have one Bible like that Mimi – so many notes and so much highlighting, that it’s hard to pick out the passages I highlighted because there are markings on every page!
This is good though – chronicles a beautiful journey with God!
Hi Ramona! What a beautiful Bible! I like to highlight passages in my Bibles. I have one Bible with space for notes on the sides, but my favorite Bible came with margins already filled up info and answered questions, so I can’t really take notes in it. The info in the margins is really helpful, though. But, I’d love to be able to take notes in my Bible, so this one looks great. Since I already won one of your Bible giveaways before (yay!), I will let someone else have more of a chance, by not entering. Love the Bible, though! Happy Easter!
That’s sweet of you Pam – hope you’re enjoying the Bible you previously won!
Wide margin Bibles are great for note-taking.
Hope you had a blessed Easter! 🙂
Hi Ramona! I world love to have a Bible such as this. It sounds like it meets all the needs I would choose, room to take notes, large print, and I would love to be able to create pictures that exemplifies tbe Scripture! My current Bible doesn’t provide room for all of that and I have to use post-it notes and tip-ins to add any extra notes which tend to make a mess when they fall all over and thickens my Bible with all the extra papers. Please make sure to remove my personal info. Thank you very much for the opportunity to win this beautiful Bible!!
I hear you Wendy – I love adding notes to my Bible but don’t like to add bulk.
A Bible like this provides you with the best of both worlds!
Best of luck to you – I have your info! 🙂
Thank you for the review of this Bible. I could really use this one. The Bible I have I only have room to online. I would love to do all of the above. Thank you for a chance to win.
My pleasure Diane – best of luck to you! 🙂
well this is weird… i love doodling and writing notes in my bible though
Not sure what’s weird but have your info – best of luck to you Jamie!
Hi Ramona! I currently don’t have a physical Bible as I am just getting started on this new Christian journey and am diving deeper and deeper into this new connection I am creating with God. I am finding myself wanting to know more each and every day and I truly hope I am headed in the right direction of becoming the follower he wants me to be. Good luck everyone on the giveaway, may God bless us all, for I know my cup runneth over.
Dana – what an exciting time this must be for you!
I pray that God strengthens you as you grow in your faith.
Best of luck to you – having a physical Bible to record your spiritual blessing is something you will cherish for life!
Wow! I actually just recently started referring to the CSB translation in the YouVersion app because our current women’s study book (Kelly Minter’s Finding God Faithful) uses it, & I only have NLT, NKJV, NASB, & CJB Bibles. I’ve never referenced CSB until now! I’m an “all of the above” girl, too— highlighting, circling, underlining, note-taking (on the page & on post-its), & even some word illustration in whatever open space I can find. Thank you for sharing this review, Ramona!
My pleasure Jaycelyn – so glad you enjoyed my review!
I would love to hear what you think of the CSB translation and of Kelly Minter’s study
(I am not familiar with that one).
Best of luck to you – love your all of the above response! 🙂
I underline verses and take notes in the margins while listening to sermons.
Thank you for removing personal information before publishing
That’s a great way to use your Bible Sarah!
No problem – I am huge on privacy and wouldn’t dream of doing this any other way! 🙂
I read and highlight the passages and sometimes put notes from my bible study group in the margins.
That’s a great way to use your Bible Stacy!
Best of luck to you in the drawing! 🙂
I love that this book helps you develop a 1 year reading plan to keep me focused on my Bible study!
I also love it when Bibles include reading plans as one of the helps!
This is such a nice Bible.
Best of luck to you! 🙂
Read and highlight key passages – color coordinated to my feelings. Don’t ask how that works! LOL
Hi Emily,
I’ve seen a lot of color-coding systems and that’s the first time I’ve seen someone mention coordinating the colors to one’s feelings. I love it and truly would love to know more about how that works! In the meantime, thanks for sharing – best of luck to you! 🙂
take notes
I’m a note-taker too Karen! 🙂
My friend has a bible similar to this that has space allowed for notation….I’ve always admired it! I use a separate notebook for my notes, but being able to have them all together would be so wonderful! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win one, it’s just beautiful!
Thanks for sharing Pamela – having a wide-margin Bible to go along with your note-taking will be a real boon to you!
Best of luck in the drawing – I have your info! 🙂
I feel I get the most out of the Bible when I read passages and highlight what really resonates with me. Usually I have many insights related to the passages so I also tend to jot them down in the margins so future me can always look back and expand on it if I want to. As a recently converted Christian doing these things helps me absorb what I read from the Bible so much better than if I just read from it. As someone who has been dealing with lupus since I was 10 years old the Bible has helped me through some difficult times.
Thank you Ramona!
Dear Jannie,
I imagine the Bible would be a great source of comfort for you during the challenging times –
I can’t imagine living with lupus starting at such a young age.
I have fibromyalgia and it has taken a long time for me to wrap my head around that!
Best of luck to you – I’m glad you are now in the kingdom! 🙂
I would like to use it as a study Bible. I love being able to read the inspirational scriptures as I color the beautiful art. I find it a great way to unwind and relax as I study. The beauty and color I add reminds me of what I studied and the margin would be great for my notes.
Thanks for sharing Stephanie – I find studying a great way to relax and unwind as well!
The phrase “life in the margins” is running through my head right now.
Best of luck to you – I have your info! 🙂
This looks like a very beautiful bible. I like the idea of “All of the above?” being in one place. But I really like to color and illustrate in my bible. It helps to calm me down from everything of the world. I enjoy reading different passages, but more than that learning more each day about Jesus and what he does for us.
I think I’ve only bought one of my bibles from Lifeway, but I think I will purchase more from them in the future.
This review helped me know where to go next in my bible study.
Hi Natalie,
I’m so happy to hear that you love coloring and illustrating your Bible –
I agree, it definitely helps to calm us down!
Glad you found my review beneficial.
I have your info – best of luck to you! 🙂
I’d love to win this for my 78-year-old mom-she uses her Bible daily for prayer, reflection, and writing notes during her quiet time. A large print version would be such a blessing for her!
Thank you for the chance,
Beverly
Beverly, that is S?O sweet – your Mom would love this Bible!
Your generous heart makes me smile.
Best of luck – your mom’s info is safe and sound!
Honestly I’m just getting back to reading my Bible. There’s no excuse not to.i would benefit from having one like this because I have to wear those darn reading glasses. The large font would help me greatly. I also love the areas to take notes so teachings could be applied to my everyday life.
Oh Wendy, I know what you mean about those darn reading glasses – lol!
Thanks for entering – your info is safe and sound! 🙂
Thank you all for your entries and wonderful comments! I will be processing these later today (you will know I have processed your comments/info when it shows up live on the post!) Once I have drawn a winner I will update the post. Thanks and have an amazing week! 🙂
P.S. If you are just arriving here, you are free to enter until I have officially closed the giveaway! 🙂
This would be great to relax and reflect! Love to doodle and read so perfect combo.
This sounds like the perfect Bible for you Kim – best of luck to you! 🙂
Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway! The winner has been added to the post!