Bible Journaling Supplies: What You Actually Need to Start
As an Amazon Associate, Scripture and Sketch earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “on Amazon” go to Amazon.
To start Bible journaling, you really only need three things: a Bible with room to write, a fine-tip pen that won’t bleed through thin pages, and a soft highlighter. Everything else (tabs, washi tape, colored pencils, stencils) is a fun extra you can add once you know you’ll stick with it.
Quick comparison
| Item | What it’s for | Need it? | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESV Single Column Journaling Bible (Crossway) | Clean layout with wide ruled margins | Yes (or another journaling Bible) | Check price on Amazon |
| NIV Journal the Word Bible (Zondervan) | Lined margins, thicker paper | Alternative pick | Check price on Amazon |
| NIV Beautiful Word Bible (Zondervan) | Pre-drawn verse art to color | Great if you “can’t draw” | Check price on Amazon |
| Tyndale NLT Inspire Bible | Line-art illustrations to color, single column | Great for creative journaling | Check price on Amazon |
| Sakura Pigma Micron pens | Fine pigment ink for writing in margins | Yes | Check price on Amazon |
| Zebra Mildliner highlighters | Soft, muted color with low bleed | Yes | Check price on Amazon |
| Bible tabs | Find every book fast | Nice to have | Check price on Amazon |
| Colored pencils | Shading drawings, zero bleed | Nice to have | Check price on Amazon |
| Washi tape | Borders and flaps without drawing | Nice to have | Check price on Amazon |
Start with the right Bible
A journaling Bible is just a Bible with extra room: wide margins, sometimes lined, often on slightly thicker paper. You can journal in a regular Bible, but you’ll run out of space fast and the thin pages will show everything from the other side.
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
The classic. One column of text per page with a wide margin beside it, so the page feels open instead of crowded. It’s one of the most popular journaling Bibles around and comes in a ton of cover styles. The paper is still Bible-thin, so pair it with the right pens (more on that below).
NIV Journal the Word Bible
Wide, lined margins in the NIV, on paper that handles many kinds of pens well. A good pick if you mostly write notes rather than draw.
NIV Beautiful Word Bible
Comes with hundreds of pre-drawn verse illustrations, so you’ve got something to color and build on from day one. If the idea of a blank margin scares you, start here.
Tyndale NLT Inspire Bible
Single-column NLT text with line-art illustrations in the margins to color. The NLT is the easiest major translation to read, which makes this a nice match for devotional journaling.
Pens that won’t bleed through
This is where most beginners get burned. Regular gel pens and markers soak right through Bible paper. Look for pigment ink in a fine tip.
Sakura Pigma Micron pens
The go-to Bible journaling pen. Archival pigment ink, very fine tips, and they write cleanly on thin paper with little to no bleed. Get a small set with a couple of tip sizes and you’re covered.
Highlighters
Zebra Mildliner highlighters
Softer, muted colors than a typical highlighter, and they’re water-based, so they show minimal bleed on journaling Bible paper. Use a light touch and don’t go back over the same spot twice. Test on a page in the back of your Bible first. (The maps or concordance pages are perfect for this.)
Nice-to-have extras
Bible tabs
Little stick-on tabs for every book. They’re one of the most popular Bible accessories for a reason: you’ll stop flipping around looking for Habakkuk. (If you’re still learning where everything is, our list of all 66 books in order helps.)
Colored pencils
The safest way to add color. Pencils don’t bleed at all, layer nicely and erase a little if you mess up.
Washi tape
Decorative paper tape you can lift and move. Great for making borders, flaps for extra notes, or a quick bit of color without drawing anything.
What to skip at first
Watercolors, gel pens, permanent markers and anything labeled “bold.” They’re the most likely to warp or bleed through thin pages. Try them later, on a test page, once you know how your Bible’s paper behaves.
How to actually start journaling
Pick one verse from what you read today. Underline it. In the margin, write one sentence about why it stood out, or draw one tiny picture that sums it up. That’s a journaling entry. Seriously.
If you want a simple structure, try the SOAP method from our guide to Bible study notes. And if you need something to read first, our Bible reading plan for beginners gives you a starting order.
FAQ
What supplies do I need for Bible journaling?
A journaling Bible, a fine-tip pigment pen like a Micron, and a soft highlighter. That’s enough to start. Tabs, colored pencils and washi tape are optional extras.
What pens don’t bleed through Bible pages?
Fine-tip pigment ink pens, like Sakura Pigma Microns, are the most common choice. Avoid gel pens and markers on regular Bible paper.
Are Mildliners safe for Bible pages?
They usually show minimal bleed on journaling Bible paper, especially with a light touch. Test first on a back page of your Bible.
Do I need a special Bible for journaling?
No, but it helps. Journaling Bibles have wider margins and often thicker paper, so you have room to write and less bleed-through.
Can I journal if I can’t draw?
Absolutely. Write, highlight, use washi tape, or pick a Bible with pre-drawn art to color, like the NIV Beautiful Word Bible or NLT Inspire Bible. Stick figures count too.
