Introduction
I was excited to receive the ESV Journaling Study Bible from Crossway in the TruTone English Saddle design featuring 1 Chronicles 28:9. This is a Bible I’ve wanted to add to my collection for quite some time, so I was especially excited to finally have the opportunity to spend some time looking through it and getting to know it.
The beautiful caramel-brown cover immediately caught my attention. The Scripture embossed on the front reads, “If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” from 1 Chronicles 28:9. I love that this is the first thing I see whenever I reach for this Bible. It’s a beautiful reminder to keep seeking God and His Word.
I received this Bible from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts
The first thing I noticed was the TruTone English Saddle cover. It’s soft, comfortable to hold, and has beautiful stitching around the edges. I really appreciate the feel of a soft-cover Bible, and this one feels sturdy and made for long-term use.
This Bible does not have gilded or metallic page edges. Instead, the pages have their natural paper-colored edges, which I personally don’t mind at all. It also includes one ribbon marker and lays flat nicely, which I think is especially helpful when you’re studying, writing, or journaling.
Inside, the Bible combines the resources of a study Bible with generous space for journaling. The two-inch ruled margins give you plenty of room to write observations, prayers, notes, and reflections as you read God’s Word.
It also includes approximately 12,000 study notes, 80,000 cross-references, 80+ maps and illustrations, 10 topical articles, 120 Bible character profiles, 900 Bible facts, and a glossary of key terms.
There are also introductions throughout the books of the Bible, along with a substantial collection of resources in the back, including information about God’s plan for salvation, Christian truths and doctrine, how to read and understand the Bible, the Christian life, ethics, weights and measures, coordinates, maps, contributors, and more.
How It Impacted Me
What I particularly love about this Bible is the combination of study and personal reflection. I’m someone who enjoys writing in my Bible, adding prayers and notes, and personalizing the pages as I spend time in God’s Word.
The generous journaling margins make this Bible feel like something I can truly make my own over time. I can see myself filling those margins with prayers, observations, Scriptures that speak to me, and little reminders of what God is teaching me.
There are also several blank pages at the beginning and end, which I love because they give me room for stickers, embellishments, notes, and other personal touches.
Bible Journaling & Personalization
I’m especially looking forward to adding my own embellishments and making this Bible personal to me. For someone who enjoys Bible journaling, the combination of the ruled margins and the additional blank pages gives you plenty of opportunities to add your own creative touches.
I also appreciate that the pages feel substantial enough for writing and Bible study without feeling overly thin.
Scripture That Stands Out to Me
“If you seek Him, He will be found by you.”
1 Chronicles 28:9
This Scripture is one of my favorite things about the Bible itself because it’s right there on the cover. Every time I reach for it, I’m reminded of the invitation to seek God. That makes the design feel much more meaningful to me than simply being a beautiful cover.
Who I Would Recommend This Bible To
I would especially recommend this Bible to someone who enjoys Bible journaling, studying Scripture, writing prayers and observations in the margins, and having additional study resources available while reading the Bible.
If you enjoy personalizing your Bible and want generous space to write while still having the depth of a study Bible, I think the combination of features in this Bible is worth exploring.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think the ESV Journaling Study Bible is a beautiful combination of study and journaling. I love the soft TruTone English Saddle cover, the 1 Chronicles 28:9 Scripture on the front, the generous two-inch margins, and the amount of study material included throughout.
I’m really looking forward to using this Bible during my own Bible study time and seeing how it becomes more personal as I add notes, prayers, stickers, and embellishments along the way.
I’m also planning to share more about how I personalize and use this Bible as I spend more time with it.
Bible Details
Bible: ESV Journaling Study Bible
Cover: TruTone English Saddle
Design: 1 Chronicles 28:9
ISBN: 979-8-8749-0261-2
Publisher: Crossway
Where to Find It
You can find the ESV Journaling Study Bible on Crossway’s website here:
Shop the ESV Journaling Study Bible at Crossway
Disclosure
I received this Bible from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.
