When I was younger, I highlighted all over my Bible and wrote notes. What I noticed just a few years later was that when I used the same Bible, though sometimes my highlights and notes were useful, many times I later disagreed with my earlier comments and wished I had scribbled less. I enjoy keeping my larger printed Bibles largely free from notes so that I can approach the text fresh every time.
However, I do find that writing notes, making highlights, and interacting with the text is a useful way to study and helps me retain more over time. Because of this, the last few years I’ve become very fond of the various formats of Scripture Journals being published.
A Scripture Journal will generally be a printing of a single book of the Bible as a stand-alone little volume. It will either have large note-taking space in the margins, or might even have the text on one page and blank journaling lines on the other. It is a fun way to go in depth, to write and mark all over the text, and to have a study that is encapsulated in time during the season in which you had this engagement with Scripture.
Scripture Journals for Hebrews
Beginning in January, I am going to preach an in-depth study of the book of Hebrews at the Tusculum Church of Christ. I’m going to invite my members to use a method such as a Scripture Journal to engage the text in preparation for each week.
Here are some various formats of Scripture Journals to consider on the book of Hebrews. Please note: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and the links I’m including here to Amazon do not have any affect on the price, but they do result in my receiving a very small percentage of the purchase price if you buy one. Websites are costly to host, and I appreciate your using these links, should you choose to.
ESV Scripture Journal. This is a basic Scripture journal with the Biblical text on one page, and open lines on the page across from it.
ESV Spiral Bound Scripture Journal. This is a basic Scripture journal with the Biblical text on one page and open lines on the page across from it. These are spiral bound, which means that the pages lay completely flat in a very accessible format for note-taking.
ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal. These are truly beautiful. The covers are ornate. The interior pages contain dotted lines for note-taking as well as numerous hand-drawn illustrations to help you engage creatively with the passages you are reading. At the time of this post, these are deeply discounted on Amazon. You can also buy larger sets of all Old Testament or New Testament books.
NIV Beautiful Word Bible Journal. This Scripture journal has an ornate cover. Most pages involve the Biblical text on one page with space for journaling on the page across from it. This Bible also includes some colorful quotations of key verses to help direct your attention and inspire you.
The NET Abide Bible Journal. This Scripture journal has the Biblical text on one page with space for journaling on the page across. Additionally, this version includes discussion questions and writing prompts to help you process each section of Scripture, as well as a guide to help you pray.
The NLT Filament Bible Journal. This Scripture journal includes a lay-flat binding. It also connects with a Filament Bible app you can download. You use the Filament app to scan the page in the Bible you’re reading, and it provides you with numerous resources including study notes, devotionals, interactive visuals, videos, and maps. It is a creative way to pack a ton of helpful content into a lightweight physical Bible. If you are newish to the Christian faith, the NLT is an easy-to-read version and these extra resources will be quite a help to your comprehension.
The NIV Jesus Bible Journal. This Scripture journal includes the Biblical text and space for journaling as well as the study guides and resources from The Jesus Bible study Bible.
The NKJV Comfort Print Bible Journal. This Scripture journal is similar to the others above, but features a 12 pt. font, making it much easier to read if you struggle with small print.
The CSB Scripture Journal. This Scripture journal is similar to the others, but features an 11 pt. font, making it easy to read if you struggle with small print. It isn’t quite as large as the NKJV version listed just above, but it features the Christian Standard Bible translation, which is my personal favorite for most of my own Bible reading.
I encourage you to have a look and see if any of these is a good fit for you. How will you go deeper in your Bible study in the next year?
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