Bible Study Essentials for a More Meaningful Routine
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Starting a consistent Bible study routine can feel overwhelming at first — especially if you’re trying to balance work, family, and everything else life throws your way.
Over the years, I’ve found that having a few well-chosen tools makes a huge difference in keeping my study time meaningful, organized, and yes, even fun.
From Bibles designed for note-taking, journaling, or prayer, to highlighters, sticky tabs, and study aids, having the right setup can make it so much easier to stay consistent. It’s not about having every tool under the sun, but about picking what helps you engage with Scripture in a way that works for you.
You really only need a bible, a pen, and a notebook to get started, but in today’s post, I’m sharing some of my favorite Bible study essentials — items I use regularly or am excited to try.
I’ve included Bibles, highlighters, sticky tabs, workbooks for kids, study dictionaries, and even a case to keep all your tools in one place. Whether you’re new to daily Bible study or looking to refresh your routine, these picks can help you dive deeper and make each study session more intentional and joyful.
Choosing the Right Bible
There are so many different Bibles out there that it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Some are designed for note-taking, others for journaling, and some are perfect for prayer or devotional use.
In this section, I’m sharing a few Bibles I’ve been using or have had my eye on. Each one has unique features — from space for notes and journaling to high-quality paper that holds up to highlighting — to help you find the right fit for your study style and personal Bible habit.
Catholic Notetaking Bible
This is the Bible I’m currently using alongside the Bible in a Year podcast with Father Mike Schmitz, and I’m absolutely loving it.
When I ordered it, I thought it was black — but it’s actually a gorgeous dark brown with a soft-touch leather feel that makes it even prettier in person. It feels sturdy, elegant, and really special to hold.
The pages are thin, like most Bibles, but not too thin. I’ve been able to highlight and write notes without any problems. What I love most is the generous space along the sides for note-taking. There’s plenty of room to write reflections, prayers, and thoughts as I go.
The text is on the smaller side, but I’m still able to read it comfortably. And honestly, I’m so excited to see what this Bible looks like a year from now after filling it with notes while working through the podcast.
If you’re Catholic and looking for a Bible that gives you space to really interact with Scripture, this one is beautiful and incredibly practical.
CSB Study Bible (Christian Standard Bible)
I haven’t personally used this one yet, but I’ve heard so many great things about it from readers and friends who love a Bible that supports deeper study.
This version is a CSB Study Bible, which uses the Christian Standard Bible translation — a modern English translation known for its balance of accuracy and readability, making Scripture both clear and faithful to the original texts.
What makes this Bible stand out for many people is how study-friendly it is. It includes thousands of study notes, articles, timelines, maps, and word studies right alongside the Scripture text, which helps bring context and meaning to the passages you read.
If you’re looking for a study Bible that’s great for daily reading, long-term study plans, or digging into Scripture with more depth than just a plain text edition, this is a resource many people swear by — especially if you want study help built right into the pages.
ESV Journaling Study Bible (Gorgeous & Study-Friendly)
While I haven’t personally used this Bible, it caught my eye immediately because it looks absolutely beautiful and so useful for anyone who loves to write in their Bible.
This is the ESV Journaling Study Bible, which combines the trusted English Standard Version translation with wide margins — perfect for note-taking, reflections, prayers, verse mapping, or art journaling right alongside the text.
What stands out about this edition:
Generous wide margins — reviewers rave about how much space there is for notes, sketches, and reflections (great if you journal about what you’re reading or want to personalize your study).
Beautiful design — many people comment that this feels like a keepsake Bible, not something you’ll hide on a shelf.
If you love writing your thoughts right in the margins, journaling your way through Scripture, or just want a study Bible that invites you to interact with the text, this one checks all those boxes.
NLT Premium Value Compact Bible, Filament Enabled
I use this Bible as my prayer Bible, and I love it. The Pink Rose Leather-Like cover is so pretty in person and makes this one feel really special to pick up each day. Even though it’s compact, it’s still very easy to read, and it’s been perfect for highlighting verses by theme, meaning, and prayers I want to come back to.
This Bible is Filament-enabled, which means you can scan the pages with the Filament app for extra study resources, videos, and devotionals. It’s such a neat feature if you like having digital study tools alongside your reading.
Because it’s smaller and lightweight, it’s easy to keep nearby, carry around, or use during quiet time without feeling bulky. It’s become my go-to for marking meaningful verses and building a collection of Scripture that speaks directly to my heart.
Pens and Highlighters
Mr. Pen & Zebra Mildliners
I’ve mostly been using ballpoint pens in my Bible, but I love adding a little color with highlighters too. I’ve been using my Mr. Pen Bible Highlighters alongside my Zebra Mildliners, and they’ve been working beautifully together.
There’s no bleed-through, and only a tiny bit of ghosting on the thin Bible pages. I love the soft, pastel colors — they look so pretty without overpowering the text.
Using these two together makes highlighting verses fun and keeps my Bible looking neat and colorful — perfect for marking meaningful passages or themes during study.
My tip: if you’re trying any new pens or markers, test them on a page in the back first to make sure they don’t bleed through.
DIVERSEBEE Bible Highlighters & Gel Pens
Okay, confession time — I really want these! 😂 They caught my eye because they look almost like crayons, but they’re actually gel highlighters with smooth color and no bleed. The idea of highlighting with something that feels a little softer and more playful just sounds so fun to me!
Since I haven’t used them yet, I don’t have a personal test run to report… but I’ve heard from people who love them for Bible journaling and note‑taking. They’re gel‑based, so you get a nice, rich color without the harsh streaks you sometimes get with regular markers, and the “no bleed‑through” claim is exactly what we look for on those thin Bible pages.
💛 If you’ve tried these, definitely let me know in the comments — did they live up to the hype? Did you use them alongside your favorite pens or highlighters? I’d love to hear your experience!
Extras
Ultimate Bible Dictionary
I’ve found that having a Bible dictionary nearby has been incredibly helpful during my study time.
Sometimes you come across a word, place, or name in Scripture and realize you don’t fully understand the context. Being able to quickly look it up makes everything feel clearer and more meaningful.
I didn’t want to spend a fortune on one, and this one has been working out great so far. It’s simple, easy to use, and gives just enough background information to help connect the dots while I’m reading.
If you’re starting a daily Bible study habit, this is one of those little tools that makes a big difference.
No More Boring Bible Study
I’ve been loving watching Bible Nerd Ministries on YouTube with Faith Womack — she’s so much fun and inspiring! One of the books she wrote is No More Boring Bible Study: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think. It looks amazing, and I love being able to get a peek into her approach to Bible study.
She uses this gorgeous study Bible that’s perfect for art journaling, note-taking, and adding extra inserts. There are blank pages for drawing, doodling, or writing reflections, and she’s got so many notes and tip-ins in her copy that she actually had to have it rebound because it fell apart — a testament to how much she interacts with Scripture!
Sadly, this bible is currently over a hundred dollars since all of her followers wanted one just like hers, and they raised the price.
Even just watching her videos has inspired me to take better notes, organize my study time, and think about new ways to engage with the Bible beyond simply reading. If you love creative journaling, deep notes, and practical Bible study tips, this book and Bible combo is worth checking out.
Bible Study Workbook for Kids
I found this Bible Study Workbook for Kids and I think it would be perfect for my grandson. It’s full of fun activities, quizzes, and questions that help kids engage with Scripture in a meaningful way.
I love that it’s designed to make learning about Jesus interactive and hands-on, not just reading from a page. If you’re looking for a way to encourage young ones to explore their faith and build a habit of Bible study early on, this workbook is a great place to start!
Bible Tabs for Easy Navigation
One of the little things that’s made my daily Bible time so much smoother is using bible tabs. They come in so many colors and designs, and they help you flip straight to the book you want without interrupting your study flow.
Whether you like a simple, minimalist look or fun, colorful designs, there are options to match your style. I love having tabs on my Bible because it saves time, keeps everything organized, and makes it easier to jump back into Scripture whenever you sit down to read or reflect.
I’m linking to a selection of Bible tabs that you can browse — there are lots of great styles to choose from depending on your Bible size and aesthetic preference.
Mr. Pen Sticky Index Tabs
I’ve been using these Mr. Pen sticky index tabs in my prayer Bible, and they’ve been a game-changer for keeping everything organized. They stick well without damaging the pages, and I love that I can mark important passages, prayer pages, or favorite verses for easy access.
These tabs come in fun colors, so it’s easy to color-code different topics, themes, or books of the Bible. I especially like using them alongside my highlighters and pens — it keeps my study space neat, colorful, and super functional. Perfect for anyone who wants to stay organized and make Bible study smoother.
Canvas Bible Case
I don’t have this one, but I do love it — it looks absolutely beautiful! This canvas Bible case is the perfect size to hold all your pens, highlighters, sticky tabs, index notes, bookmarks, and anything else you use during Bible study.
Of course, I’m drawn to the pink, but there are other colors available too, so you can pick the one that fits your style. It looks sturdy and organized, and I can totally picture it sitting next to my Bible during quiet time or tucked in my bag when I’m on the go.
If you like having your study tools in one place (and nothing slipping into the bottom of your tote), this is such a practical and pretty option!
Wrapping Up: Create Your Own Bible Study Essentials Kit
I hope this roundup of Bible study essentials gives you some ideas and inspiration for building a setup that works for you. Whether it’s a Bible designed for note-taking, a colorful set of highlighters, sticky tabs to mark your favorite passages, a kid-friendly workbook, or a handy case to keep everything organized, each tool can help make your daily study time more meaningful and enjoyable.
The best part about creating your own essentials kit is that it reflects your personal study habits and style. Pick the items that excite you, try them out, and see how they enhance your reflection and engagement with Scripture.
If you have a favorite Bible, highlighter, or study tool that makes your time with God’s Word special, I’d love to hear about it! Share your picks in the comments and let’s inspire each other to dig deeper and grow closer to God, one study session at a time.
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