My Personal Spiral Bible Review: Engaging Scripture on Deeper Level

If you’ve ever been frustrated with the lack of space in your Bible for notes and thoughts, there’s a solution to make your Bible reading more meaningful. Keep reading to learn about a new Bible called the Spiral Bible, a great resource to enhance your quiet time and growth in God’s Word.  If you’re a note-taker, journaler, or need a pen in hand when reading Scripture, this Bible is for you.

Bible Reading, Journaling, and Note-taking on a Whole New Level

I’ll be honest. I don’t like to do a lot of sponsored posts. I have no problem with those who do lots of them, but personally, it’s just not my thing.

Think of it as a notebook and a Bible merged into one.

The Bible measures 8.5 x 11″ – a typical notebook size.

It comes with a soft cover and thick pages, unlike the typical paper found in a Bible – thin as a fly’s wing, with that distinct crinkling, page-turning sound.

The Spiral Bible comes in lots of fun and brightly colored covers, and some more subdued covers for the masculine audience as well.

There is also a kid’s version of Genesis and Exodus (in BBE – Bible in Basic English), complete with lots of coloring pages.

This version of the Bible is broken down into 5 books total: 4 sections of the Old Testament Books (KJV only) & the New Testament.

The Old Testament is grouped like this:

Genesis- Deuteronomy

Joshua – Esther

Job – Song of Solomon

Isaiah – Malachi

The New Testament is offered in the King James Version, American Standard Version, and the World English Bible (more on this version below). The Old Testament is offered in King James Version only.

So, there are 5 different spiral-bound books to make up the entire Bible, Genesis to Revelation.

My First Impression of the Spiral Bible

I was sent an American Standard Version (ASV) version of the New Testament to review.

Appearance

The first thing I noticed about it is that it does not look like a typical Bible!

Usually, Bibles are leather (or pleather) bound. Mine came with a bright pink soft cover with cheerful flowers! I loved the brightness and vibrancy.

I also noticed right away that the page size is bigger than a standard Bible.

It might be the teacher in me, but I like that it kind of had the look of a workbook. I felt like it was saying, “C’mon, girl, let’s get to work reading God’s Word!”

With letter-sized pages, it’s big enough to have plenty of room to write in while small enough to put in a backpack or tote bag or even large purse, if you want to bring it with you.

There are also super-wide margins on every page, as well as a full blank page at the end of every book, for you to use for notes, thoughts, prayers, even drawings.

The large print was also a big win for me! Wearing readers are a regular thing for me, and having big print is such a wonderful help.

Functionality

I noticed right away that the paper of this Bible is nice and thick. You can write in the margins or underline text or highlight, and it won’t bleed through to the backside of the paper. 

I like to use a marker-type pen, and there was no issue with the ink bleeding through (a pet peeve of mine!) Even with a thin, fine-point Sharpie, there was no problem.

As I said above, I was gifted the American Standard Version New Testament – not to be confused the more well-known NASB (New American Standard Bible).

The ASV reads more similarly to the King James Version, with ‘ye’ and ‘thou’ used throughout.

If you’re not used to a more ‘Old English’ type of translation, the New Testament also comes in the WEB (World English Bible), which is a more modern translation.

If you’re not familiar with the WEB version, the Spiral Bible website explains it this way:

“The WEB is a literal, modernized update of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901, also known as the Revised Version and American Revised Version. The ASV is rooted in the original King James Bible of 1611 and is the basis for many other translations, including The Living Bible. The WEB is a direct descendent of the King James Version, yet updated for modern readers and using the Greek Majority Text and the Hebrew Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.”

So, for the New Testament, there is the option for a version that reads a little easier to our modern minds, yet rooted in accurate and historic Bible translation.

There are no section headings as well as study notes.  The layout of this Bible truly allows for the Bible to speak for itself, without any of man’s superimpositions onto the text. 

So while it may appear as a modern version of the Bible, you can be absolutely sure that the translations are historically accurate, just as in any traditional Bible.

Outside of the words themselves, this Bible is nothing like a typical Bible – and that’s totally fine!

The Purpose of the Spiral Bible

Why reinvent the wheel, you might be wondering?

The Spiral Bible is designed to bring to life your Bible-reading experience. Often, when we read the Bible, it can be passive at times. We are just absorbing the text.

But the Spiral Bible is meant to be an interactive experience. While most of us have probably underlined or made notes in our Bibles at some time or other, we probably have run into the problem of limited space. 

With this Bible, there is ample room in the margins to take notes, jot down questions, draw arrows, and record your thoughts and what God might be saying to you.

The creators of the Spiral Bible encourage you to make this a ‘spiritual scrapbook’ – I love that imagery! 

You’ll be able to record all of the profound moments you have with God and His Word, without trying to write in miniature size and stuff words in between the lines of Bible verses.

There’s room for several different ways to respond to Scripture – for prayers, for notes, for thoughts, for journaling, even for drawing.

All this is designed to help you STUDY the Bible and genuinely engage with it.  Having the space to take notes and record your thoughts can provide focus, concentration, and help you organize what the text is saying and what the Holy Spirit is saying to you.

My Personal Experience

I have used this Bible during my own personal quiet time, and I’ve found that having it just appear like a notebook encouraged me to take notes.

I wanted to mark it up, underline, and draw my own observations. Really listen to what the Holy Spirit might be revealing.

I don’t think I ever realized that having a traditional Bible with limited space could actually be a hindrance to digging into Bible study. 

I love that my notes are easy to read because they aren’t written super-tiny in tight spaces and margins!

I’ve found it especially helpful not just for my own personal Bible study, but for my small group as well.

Many times, we are discussing the text, and someone will share some profound thoughts on the passage. I love that I can add that to my notes in the margin to re-read them and not forget our discussions.

If you like to study the Bible using the inductive method, I’ve found that this is also a great space to take those notes and jot down those observations and interpretive information.

Pros and Cons of the Spiral Bible

In full transparency, there is no perfect product. So, let me share what I loved about the Spiral Bible. And rather than call them ‘cons,’ I’ll share what I’d rather frame as ‘limitations.’

What I Loved

Lots of Space for Notes

No more squeezing my thoughts into very tiny spaces! I like it that you can even write out prayers, responses, or personal application… plenty of room for all of it.

Flatlay and Fold-over Design

This makes it very easy to take notes, just like a regular notebook.

Large Print 

This is a big one for me! It’s soooo helpful to have a Bible I can actually see!

Fun Designs 

A modern and fresh spin on a timeless classic. I also appreciated that some of the covers were simpler and more masculine, for lack of a better way to say it? Meaning, there are options for men besides flowers and butterflies!

Easy Transportability

I like that it’s streamlined and very easy to grab and go! And because it’s so big, it’s hard to lose and easy to find if I do! 

 

We spend our money on lots of things – some important and necessary, some frivolous. I have no problem with spending my money on things that I consider investments.

And a Bible that is going to enhance and provide opportunity for me to dig more deeply into God’s Word is something I consider a worthwhile investment.

Final Thoughts on the Spiral Bible

There is no other Bible like this that I’m aware of, and I genuinely believe your Bible study time will take on a new life using the Spiral Bible.

I love the heart behind the creators of this Bible, and I love that they’ve created an innovative way to encourage and facilitate Bible study.

I would recommend starting with one section of the Bible that you plan on studying, whether it’s a section in the Old Testament or the entire New Testament. Give it a try just a little at a time and see what you think!

I’m sure it will take a little time to thoroughly study through that portion of Scripture.

By the time you’re done with that, plan to invest in the next portion! Hopefully, over time, you’ll have your own spiritual scrapbook of what God has revealed to you in His Word.

More Bible Resources

If you’re looking for more Scripture resources, I love to share things to encourage you and your families in your relationships with God.

Here are some that may be of help!

31 Scripture-Based Back-to-School Prayers {Free Printable}

Free Printable Dinner Party Scripture Signs

23 Meaningful Printable Christmas Bible Studies to Focus on Jesus