The 5 Best Pens for Bible Journaling

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best pens for Bible journaling are, then I’d recommend the Faber-Castell Complete Bible Journaling Kit as the best one.

The Bible is considered a Holy book, but that does not mean that we cannot personalize it.

After all, the purpose of studying the Bible is to inspire and to be aware of the truth.

Interpreting and expressing one’s understanding of God’s words should be filled with positive intentions.

It may sound weird to some people that some Christians are writing or scribbling in their Bibles.

It’s even crazier if they see someone painting, stamping, or note-taking in them.

The activity of Bible journaling may be new to crafters, but it’s not so new to Bible historians.

Bible journaling started way back centuries ago.

Before the invention of printing, Bibles during the Middle Ages were replicated and distributed through hand copying.

Artists added hand-drawn illustrations to those hand-copied volumes.

These illustrations were not just for decoration; they served as explanatory tools for those who couldn’t read Latin text.

Skip forward to the year 1980 when Bible journaling became popular.

Crafters’ problems at that time were the narrow margins and pages that could not withstand additional mediums.

It was in 2014 when Bible journaling took off.

A papercraft artist named Shanna Noel posted a blog showcasing her bright, colorful, artistic illustrations in her journaling Bible.

Using the wide margins for note-taking during Bible studies caught on with readers.

And Bible journaling began.

Here are the Best Pens for Bible Journaling we’ll be reviewing:

• Faber-Castell Complete Bible Journaling Kit

• G.T. Luscombe Pigma Micron Bible Study Pen Kit

• Mr. Pen, Assorted Color Pack of 6 No-Bleed Pens

• Sharpie 12 Pack Assorted Colors Fine Point Art Pens

• Feela 8 Bright Colors Bible Gel Highlighter Study Kit

What is Bible Journaling?

Many of us knew of people with well-loved Bibles with handwritten notes and highlights.

Some even include their family pictures or prayer requests stuck on one of the pages of their Bible.

They may not know, but this is what we now call Bible journaling.

Bible journaling is the process of reading your Bible and recording the scriptural insights you receive in your Bible.

For some, engaging with the scripture and transforming your time in the Word is an exciting way.

Bible journaling is when you exercise your creativity and respond in an artistic way to God’s word.

Many Christians journal to express their creative side.

But it’s important to note that journaling is also part of worship.

Rather than reading the text alone, we meditate on His word through drawing or coloring.

Why You Should Start Bible Journaling

Bible journaling may be a new concept, but we can find the directive of God in the scriptures.

In Jeremiah 30:2, Jesus instructed Jeremiah to “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.”

Writing in the Bible is a way to interact with the words of God to transform and shape us.

The art or the notes will remind you how the Holy Spirit moved you when you studied the passage.

For many, it’s a way to slow down and let the truth of the scriptures sink in.

It’s like, after a long, busy day, you want to sit and savor the time God has for you.

If Bible journaling still intrigues you, here are some benefits of starting one.

It Improves your Focus on Studying the Bible

One of the pitfalls of studying the Bible is reading a passage like a chore and moving on with your day.

You do not allow time to savor the message of God and meditate on it.

And that is one of the joys of Bible journaling!

It allows you to stop and reflect on what the passage really means.

The act of writing, drawing, or coloring slows down your reading speed.

It helps you focus, remember, and contemplate the Bible passages.

It is a Form of Prayer

Bible journaling has a significant impact on improving your prayer life.

Writing the passages like prayers helps you see your life and current circumstances in a new way.

After reading a particular passage, stop and respond to its message. 

Speak a prayer about its message.

Ask God to reveal Himself to you as you dive into and learn of His promises.

It can be viewed as a Legacy to the Next Generation

Bible journaling enables us to create keepsakes that we can pass on to the younger generation.

It reminds us how God ministered to, blessed us, and protected us throughout our lives.

It is our fellowship with others, and we share how we enjoy coloring, sharing the gospel, and praying for each other.

What is Needed to Start Bible Journaling?

Now that you are interested in the concept of Bible journaling, let’s move forward.

It’s okay if you still feel awkward putting any markings in your Bible.

Just start small, one step at a time.

You can try highlighting your favorite verse or taking notes on the margin next to it.

Here are some Bible journaling supplies you need to start your journey.

A Bible with a Wide Margin

After you finally decide to try Bible journaling, you need a place to do it.

While you can write in any kind of journal you prefer, I encourage you to get a wide-margin Bible for journaling.

Note-taking in the margins of your Bible will give you instant context later.

Writing down your thoughts in a separate journal could disengage you from the verses that prompted them.

That is why putting your ideas next to the passage means they’re just there every time you dig into the Word.

Using the margins of the Bible to write notes will serve as a map of your spiritual journey.

You will be reminded of God’s important message for you at that time.

As you write more in the pages of your Bible, the more you document your spiritual growth to meditate on later.

A Good Set of Pens and Pencils

One of the best Bible journaling supplies you should have is a good set of pens and pencils.

After you have read and meditated on God’s message, it’s time to put pen to paper.

To do that, you must have the best Bible journaling pens.

When note-taking or drawing directly on your Bible, choosing the best pens for Bible paper is crucial.

Choosing the best Bible journaling pens that don’t bleed is the most significant factor to consider.

Consider that most of the Bible has paper-thin pages that tend to bleed.

It is also good to consider the type of pen you want in your Bible.

It’s all about preference on the types of pens, especially if you do more hand lettering than drawing.

Some consider fine-tip or fine-point pens, gel pens, brush pens, and dual-tip pens.

Without Bible journaling pens, you can also use other substitutes in your Bible journal.

You can use markers for Bible journaling, pens with gel ink, gel pens, and colored pens.

A Variety of Colors

Now that you have drawn your design using the best types of pen, it’s time to fill your designs with different colors.

Colors are also one of the best Bible journaling supplies.

Choices are water-based watercolor, colored pencils, crayons like the Crayola Twistables, or gelatos.

The more variety of colors, the better.

Colors matter.

They are the ones that give life to your Bible art design.

Bible art journaling is incomplete without using colors to make your design come alive.

Coloring your Bibles doesn’t only mean you are after the design.

Bible art journaling enhances your brain function, too.

Bible art means deciding where to lay down color and color combinations.

In Bible journaling, you’re deciding what makes sense in the context of what you’re studying.

What to Look for When Buying Pens for Journaling

Here are the criteria to consider if you plan to buy the best pens for Bible journaling.

Size of the Tip

One of the factors you should consider for the best pens for Bible Bible journaling is the head tip.

This certain part indicates the usage and purpose of the Bible pens.

Larger pen tips highlight lines and fill in gaps in drawings.

On the other hand, Bible pens with small tips are used for letters and detailed drawings.

The best pens for Bible journaling vary in the size of their tips.

It’s important to buy the best Bible journaling pens according to your needs.

Types of Tips

There are two types of tips for Bible journaling pens.

These are metal gel and wax-based.

Metal gel tip pens are often manufactured using strong metal tips, which are known to endure extensive usage without breaking.

This type of tip is slender, and its common size is at most 0.5 mm.

Metal gel tips are made with water-based ink for smoother lines.

For some, these are the best pens as they are highly precise and detailed in calligraphy and drawing.

On the other hand, Bible pens that have wax-based tips are comparable to Crayola Twistables.

These kinds of tips are usually large, and they can be sharpened.

However, they are prone to melting and breaking.

The wax-based Bible pen tips are commonly used to fill in large gaps on paper surfaces and highlight important statements in the Bible.

Bleed Through

It is always important to note that you choose the best pens for Bible journaling that do not bleed through the paper.

These kinds of specialized pens prevent you from the horrors of defiled pages.

You must test the pens to see if they bleed by using them on thin paper for qualitative assessment.

Storage Case

One way to care for your Bible journaling supplies is to have a reliable and durable storage case.

Some factors to consider when buying a storage case are that it should allow you to organize your pens and be portable.

The two kinds of pen storage cases available in the market are plastic and hard pouches.

Those with hard cases are popular because they can be easily turned into an easel.

These two cases also come with either snap buttons or soft clips as a locking device.

Buying the best Bible journaling supplies is not a walk in the park.

There are many things you need to consider so you will have an exciting journey.

Bible journaling is not just about being creative.

It should be about your walk with God and how to live for God.

To aid you in your search for the best pens for Bible journaling, here are our recommendations.

Faber-Castell Complete Bible Journaling Kit

Today, one of the most exciting ways to engage with the scripture is through Bible Journaling.

One of the most popular sets used for Bible Journaling is the Faber-Castell Complete Bible Journaling Kit.

A world-renowned brand, Faber-Castell caters to various age groups and skill levels.

The Faber-Castell Journaling Kit contains a vast range of writing materials.

The color pens offer everything you need to engage creatively with the scripture.

It has a variety of colors that are perfect to add to your Bible journaling supplies.

Each kit includes high-quality art materials, an inspiring assortment of papers and stamps, and complete illustrated instructions.

The newest additions to this set are the Gelatos Gift Set, Stamper’s Big Brush Gift Set, and Studio Caddy Premium Gift Set.

This complete kit has 47 pieces in total.

It has stickers with inspiring designs, and 2 Pitt Artist pens with much thinner head tips to underline valuable words during your journaling progress.

The stencils come in two sets for lettering and drawings.

The pigment of the Gelatos is acid-free, making it non-bleed through Bible pages.

For those wondering what gelatos are, they are acid-free pigment sticks that work like magic.

Faber-Castell kit also has a design guide for simple works and creative opportunities.

Pros:

• Includes plenty of accessories to personalize Bible pages

• Included stencils come with four designs and work beautifully with thin Bible sheets

• With acid-free Gelatos vibrant crayons

• 2 Pitt artist pens with premium India ink

• Great gift for Bible art journaling enthusiast

Cons:

• Use of plastic stencils preferred

G.T. Luscombe Pigma Micron Bible Study Pen Kit

One of the best-sellers from G.T. Luscombe is the Pigma Micron journaling pen.

The set includes 8-micron pens, six medium-point pens with head tips in 0.45mm coded as 05, and two smaller 01 ones of 0.25mm.

The Pigma Micron pens are ideally used for fine drawing and writing.

The variety of colors in this Bible study kit can free your creativity.

It has all the qualities of a pen for journaling.

The ink color enhances much pigment while being used.

The Pigma Micron pens are non-bleed-through, non-smearing, and fade-proof.

Each micron pen offers the smoothness you can expect, so no skip lines will be formed.

The fine, sophisticated head tip delivers a wonderful performance of underlining and taking notes.

The Pigma Micron pen also has great all-around pens for use in your planner.

Pros:

• With two types of head tips and eight pens

• Serve a diversity of lettering tasks

• Safe and Non-toxic

• The ink does not bleed through Bible pages

• With smooth and skip-free lines of lettering every time

Cons:

• The sharp edge of the pen can cause tearing

• The black ink is prone to ink leakage

Mr. Pen, Assorted Color Pack of 6 No-Bleed Pens

Mr. Pen No Bleed pens are available in a pack of six different colors.

Each pen has a fine tip of 0.7mm, considered a fine measurement for relevant Bible journaling.

These Bible journaling pens are perfect for color-coding, journaling, and studying the Bible.

The ink of these Bible journaling pens is as smooth as the gel pens but has the qualities of a ball-point ink pen.

True to its name, Mr. Pen’s ink does not bleed through Bible pages and dries out quickly.

It also avoids smearing for easier note-taking and lettering tasks.

I consider these more than just Bible study pens; you can also use them for writing in personal diaries or calendars.

The versatile ink colors could help you memorize the Bible in the most hassle-free way.

Pros:

• Non-smear, smooth, and fast-dry ink

• Ideal for Bible study and Bible journaling

• No bleed-through on any paper, especially thin paper

• Attached is a clip-on for easy placement on pockets and hardcovers

• The 0.7mm fine point tip ensures smooth scribbling

Cons:

• It is not ideal to use in coloring books because of its fine-point tip

• They do bleed through the Bible pages after sometime

Sharpie 12 Pack Assorted Colors Fine Point Art Pens

The Sharpie brand is well-known for producing premium craft supplies, especially highlighter pens.

One of the newest additions to their collection is their Sharpie Art Pens, which are at a fine point.

This set of Sharpie Art Pens comes in different colors and can be used to create vivid lines that won’t bleed through paper.

Each set has a wide range of package options, from 8, 12, and 16 to 24 counts per purchase.

The Sharpie pens have a slim head tip that provides thin, precise lines for drawings and handwriting.

However, the tip is not so thin that you can use it to shade large spaces without any blots from re-application.

The colorful ink shades are great for doing calligraphy, too.

The pens are perfect for note-taking even for a long time because of their slim design. In terms of the ink,

Sharpie ink dries up quickly. 

It does not bleed through books even if you accidentally press its tip down a bit hard.

Sharpie inks are also acid-free, water-resistant, fade-proof, and anti-smear.

One thing I like about this set is the hard storage case attached to the pen counts.

It is very durable and has an opening that lets it transform into a vertical stand.

The case can also be flipped into a compact easel, which allows easier access to the Sharpie kit and allows for better storage.

Pros:

• Vivid color options that don’t bleed through paper

• Fine point creates detailed marks and a slim pen design

• Ink is quick-drying, acid-free, fade-proof, and smear-resistant

• It comes with a hard case that opens into an easel for fast access and organization

• Perfect for adult coloring and Bible journaling artists

Cons:

• Have a bad smell that can irritate your nostrils

• The ink of the pens wears fast, especially when you take notes regularly

Feela 8 Bright Colors Bible Gel Highlighter Study Kit

The Feela Bible, Gel Highlighter kit, owns eight unique colors for your Bible journaling adventure.

Each pack comes in a see-through and portable pouch for convenience.

These color pens have a twist-up design that reduces gel breakage, so they remain clean.

The ink is acid-free and non-toxic, so you don’t need to be concerned about your security.

They are also smear-proof and do not bleed through Bible pages.

Using the Feela Gel Highlighters for your Bible art offers smooth gliding to any paper surface.

The 8 different colors are distinct from each other and bright but not glowing.

The tip of these color pens is so soft that you only need a slight touch of hand to write smoothly.

This type of pen glides over the paper with ease, and it doesn’t get grainy or dry out when stored with the cap on.

Pros:

• Smooth gliding for a perfect experience

• The ink used is acid-free, smear-proof, and water-resistant

• Offers a quick response service and is totally risk-free

• More than a gel highlighter and can be used as crayons for art journaling

• It doesn’t leave a bad smell, as most highlighters do

Cons:

• The black ink on the printed label smears your hands while using it

• The tip of each pen has an odd angle

• They are more like crayons than gel highlighters

Conclusion

Most of these Bible pen users are religious people who record a Bible journal.

They consistently write the lessons they learned from reading the Bible.

They also take joy in recording things happening in their lives every day.

Bible journaling allows them to understand why certain things happen.

It also makes them ponder Bible passages better than Bible study.

Bible journaling allows them to slow the pace of their reading and focus more on God’s word.

I recommend buying the Faber-Castell Complete Bible Journaling Kit to complete your Bible journaling journey.

It is a complete journaling kit with pens, stickers, highlighters, machine papers, and stencils.

What I love about this Bible journaling kit is the 46-page Illustrated Design Guide.

This journaling kit includes everything you need to begin creating mixed-media pieces and journals to capture your thoughts and memories.

Experience the joy of Bible journaling as you doodle with Pitt Artist Pens, add colorful stickers and die cuts, and get creative with the stencils.