In the past, I always believed that having one Bible was enough. I would buy a new one when the one I was using started to fall apart. That was until 2019 when I realized that I was spending money on all kinds of things. Stuff like hobbies, clothes, furniture, all kinds of other books, and I had plenty of these things but still thought I needed more.
I knew that I needed to set my priorities straight. I made a decision to buy a new Bible and I did just that in 2019. On New Year's Eve day I have my new Bible in hand ready to start 2022. Yes, it's an extravagance but one that I believe is justifiable. I will budget in all other areas of my life but not this one. By the way, I don't spend very much on my Bibles, they are just perfect to see me through a year or two.
This year I chose an ESV Journaling Bible and I am excited to start my journey on January 1, which happens to be tomorrow. In 2019, I purchased an English Standard Version (ESV) Bible Single Column Journaling Bible, and to make it easier to highlight passages I bought a highlighter set that didn't bleed through the page. I own different versions, King James (KJ), New King James (NKJ), and New International Version (NIV) I don't have a preference.
Growing up I had watched my grandparents underline verses and full chapters with a red pen and ruler, passages that spoke to them as they read their Bibles every day, twice a day. Everyone has their own way to mark up their Bible. You can highlight key passages so that you can quickly find them when you need a particular verse or when you are talking with someone. I strongly encourage you to write in your Bible. With that in mind look for a Bible with a wide margin so that you can write your notes and thoughts alongside the verses.
These photos are my Bible. I used to only underline or highlight and jot down a few notes that I may have heard during a sermon or a Bible study I was at. I have since learned to put MY OWN THOUGHTS down. I also write down questions that I might have, ponderings, or something that I have just learned. It doesn't matter what it is, I write it down. By the way, this is a work in progress. The more I do, the freer I feel about marking up my Bibles.
If you have never written or highlighted your Bible here are a few suggestions that you can use to start marking up your Bible, this isn't an exhaustive list, do what works best for you.
Highlight Jesus's words
Use brackets to highlight long passages
Box passages such as parables
Circle verse numbers - I use this when I am going to read in front of others this way I know where to start and where to end.
Highlight favorite verses
Write a note as to why a particular portion is highlighted
No matter what you decide to do OR NOT DO the most important thing is to READ YOUR BIBLE. Preferably EVERY DAY!