Review: Journal the Word Bible

Dec 10, 2018

Okay! I am SO EXCITED!!! I got something fun in the mail a few months ago, and I've been dying to share it! In October, Christianbook (aka CBD) had a sale on their bibles and I was able to snatch up the Journal The Word Bible (NKJV) on sale for $14.99! What?! It arrived within just a couple of days, and I quickly opened it up and have started using it. I am thrilled to finally share it with you!

I have been on the hunt for a long while for a note-taking bible. Since bible journaling has become sort of a big thing in recent years, publishers have started creating more bibles that have wide margins. Hooray! Perfect for note-takers like me! After a few months of research, I finally landed on this one, and I think I am going to enjoy it!

Here are some things I like, and some things I think can be improved:

Pros

Portability

This bible is super portable! It is not really too chunky in my opinion (like most study bibles tend to be). This bible measures 6.75" x 8.5" x 1.75". It

Single-Column Layout

This was a big one for me. My study bible is single column, and over the last 10 years of studying that, I have found that I really like the single-column layout. This bible has the verses laid out in paragraph form (versus verse-by-verse) and to me, it reads more like a book that way. I REALLY like it because it helps me connect better with what's being. It also includes topical subheadings as most bibles do.

Wide Margins

This is the whole reason that I bought this bible - the WIDE margins! This is PERFECT for note-taking! The margins are approximately 2" wide and lined. This allows lots of room for notes.

Red-Letter

This bible is a red-letter bible which means the words of Jesus are notated in red. I really like that!

Pages

The pages in this bible are VERY smooth and slightly thicker than your typical "onion leaf" pages, though to the touch that's what it feels like. The page color is a cream though in some lights, it can have a yellow hue to it. There is also no gilding on the pages, which I think actually adds to the aesthetic of the overall look.

Cover Design

The cover design is timeless with it's damask swirl cloth & warm brown simulated leather

Price

Cons

No Concordance

Ugh. This is my real complaint with this bible. I do tend to flip to a concordance in the back of my bible when I need to go deeper about a specific topic or person. While I can always grab one of my other bibles for this, I would like to the

No Maps

I don't know about you, but I am a visual learner. I remember the day that I was sitting in church looking at a map in my bible that showed the areas inhabited by the 12 tribes of Israel... and then it finally clicked that the 12 tribes of Israel were Abraham's sons. Ever since that day, I have found that there is a great value in having maps included within a bible.

Letter Size

Okay, hear me out on this one. I realize I am just in my 30's but come on. 7-point? It's SO TINY! I might need a magnifying glass eventually, but for the $14 I paid, I am okay with it. The large print was still around $30 with a discount.

No Thumb Index

This is really not a deal-breaker for me. I only have 1 other bible that does have a thumb index, so while that would be a nice feature, it's not necessary.

To be determined

Durability

This bible has a Simulated Leather / Cloth Cover. My Life Application Study Bible also has a simulated leather material and after 9 years is quite worn, so we shall see how it goes.