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When you hear the term "Bible journaling," you might picture colourful artwork, intricate lettering, and floral washi tape. While that's a wonderful way to engage with Scripture, it's only one side of the story.
At its core, Bible journaling is simply the act of recording your thoughts, questions, and prayers directly on the pages of your Bible.
For men, this can be a powerful tool—not for scrapbooking, but for serious study, personal reflection, and building a lasting spiritual legacy. It’s a way to wrestle with the text, document your journey, and understand God's Word with greater depth and clarity.
This guide will show you practical, straightforward ways for men to get started with Bible journaling and find the right Bible for the task.
Bible journaling for men is a practical method of engaging with Scripture that focuses on taking notes, asking questions, outlining passages, and using symbols directly in a wide-margin Bible to deepen theological understanding and document one's faith journey.
Why Should Men Journal in Their Bibles?
Journaling isn't just about creative expression; it's a discipline that builds a stronger faith.
- Deeper Study & Retention: The physical act of writing down notes, summarising a chapter, or drawing connections between verses helps you to think more deeply about the text and remember what you've learned.
- A Space for Tough Questions: The margins of your Bible can become a safe place to wrestle with difficult passages, ask hard questions, and record your honest thoughts and prayers as you seek answers.
- Track Your Spiritual Growth: Over months and years, your journaled notes become a personal record of your faith journey—a testament to how God has guided, challenged, and grown you through His Word.
- Create a Legacy: A Bible filled with your personal notes, prayers, and insights is an incredible inheritance to one day pass down to your children or grandchildren.
Getting Started: Practical Tips for Men
You don't need to be an artist. Here are four straightforward ways to begin:
- Simple Note-Taking: Use a fine-liner pen that won't bleed through the page. As you read, underline key verses and use the margin to jot down a summary of the passage, a key takeaway, or a related thought.
- Ask Questions: Write your questions directly in the margins next to the verses that prompt them. This turns your Bible reading into an active dialogue.
- Use Symbols & Outlines: Develop your own simple set of symbols. A lightbulb for a new insight, a question mark for something you're pondering, an arrow to connect related ideas. You can also use the margin to create a simple outline of a chapter's structure.
- Cross-Reference: When your study notes or another passage of Scripture sheds light on what you're reading, simply write the reference (e.g., "see John 3:16") in the margin.
Our Top Recommendation for a Men's Journaling Bible
ESV Journaling Study Bible, Artist Series (Hardcover, Joshua Noom, The Lion and the Lamb)
With a cover like no other, this edition combines robust cover design with wide, lined margins, offering the perfect balance of expert strength and space for your own reflections. Shop Now
Choosing the Right Bible for Men's Journaling
The most important tool is a Bible with enough space. Look for these types:
- Wide Margin Bibles: These are the standard for journaling. They typically feature extra-wide, lined margins on the outside of each page, providing ample room for notes.
- Journaling Bibles with a Classic Design: You don't need a floral cover to journal. Many journaling Bibles come in classic, durable covers like black or brown leather, cloth-over-board, or TruTone.
- Study Bibles with Note Space: Some study Bibles, like the ESV Men's Study Bible, are specifically designed with both study notes and margin space for your own thoughts.
A Classic Choice for Durability and Note-Taking
ESV Wide Margin Reference Bible
For the man who wants a clean slate, this Bible offers extra-wide margins and high-quality paper, providing a durable and flexible canvas for years of notes and study. Shop Now
Your Legacy of Faith
Bible journaling for men is about active engagement, not decoration. It's a tool for theologians, students, fathers, and workers—anyone who wants to understand God's Word more deeply and build a faith that lasts. Choose a durable Bible, grab a good pen, and start the rewarding journey of documenting your walk with God.
Ready to start your journey? Explore our full collection of Journaling Bibles ►
Or browse our full collection of Bibles for Men.
