Are you new to Christianity and want to have your first very own Bible? Or are you searching for a new Bible that presents the Word in a different and deeper manner?
Choosing the right Bible can be a daunting task. There are many things to consider. After all, your Bible can be your closest lifelong friend and counselor. It is who you turn to for comfort, wisdom, and to get closer to God. It is who you turn to in order to increase your faith. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
But what does it mean to “hear the Word”? This Bible verse says something very important to me personally. Reading the Word is vital to our spiritual growth. But, hearing the Word, I think, allows it to be absorbed into another of our senses. I believe the combination sends it deep into our subconscious mind; even if we don’t actually memorize the verse. It becomes a part of us often without even knowing it. It gives the Holy Spirit something to work with when He whispers encouragement, comfort, and even sometimes chastisement.
This is why I always read scripture out loud to myself. Listening to the Lord allows us to meditate on His Word until we receive through it, His message for us.
My Personal Journey with the Bible
I remember my very first Bible. I attended Sunday School classes from a young age at a local Lutheran Church. It, by the way, was a King James Bible. It was just the right size to carry with me each Sunday. I was impressed that it had a zipper to close when I wasn’t reading it. After school, I would join my mom and dad for the morning Church service.
I had that Bible for many years. Unfortunately, I often did not understand what I was reading. Then, like so many young folks, I stopped reading it. I moved to other cities and states. I was about thirty years old when I moved to Dallas, Texas. That was where I had the opportunity to experience and appreciate how other Christians worshiped.
Dallas is home to many Christian educational schools and seminaries. There is a heavy Baptist presence throughout the South. I discovered that there is also a Pentecostal influence there. I became friends with people from all faiths while I lived there. I must admit that when I attended Church at my friend’s Pentecostal Church, I was intimidated by the exuberance and mysterious expressions of praise and worship. In my Lutheran Church back home, the congregation mostly sat in quiet contemplation during the services.
What I did come to know from some of my Christian friends there, was that I didn’t know very much about the Bible. Sure, I could quote a few verses of scripture, but did I really understand what they meant? Sadly, I did not. Fortunately, Mark, my best friend, helped me to answer some important questions about my faith. After all my years of attending Church, I did not really understand “being born again”. I must have seemed like Nicodemus to Mark as he helped me realize I had been missing the whole point. John 3:1-21
By that time, I don’t know what had happened to my old Bible that I used to read in my bed as a youth. So Mark presented me with a new Bible. It was a Harper Study Bible. I was intrigued with all the explanations that accompanied the scriptures. They helped me gain a much better understanding about what I was reading.
Types of Bibles to Consider
So, no matter how long a person has been reading the Bible, there are many resources to help gain a more acute understanding and closeness to God through His Word.
What Bible is best for you? The best Bible is one that will hold your attention. It will draw you in when it seems difficult to find time. It is one that will not just sit on the coffee table and draw dust. There are a great many Bibles to choose from. Let’s look at just a few:
Study Bibles
Study Bibles provide the capacity to gain a deeper and intuitive understanding of the Bible. They include commentaries that provide explanations to many verses. There are maps that show the path of the children of Israel through the wilderness; to the three missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. You will find images of the tabernacle, Solomon’s Temple, and Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. A study Bible may include concordances or charts that can give a better understanding of biblical times.
Several of the Bible scholars who I have followed the teachings of, insist that the Old Scofield Study Bible is the best cross-reference study Bible ever published. Among its many features are book introductions and outlines, unique subject chain reference system, comprehensive indexes, chronologies, a concordance and authoritative, full color Oxford Bible Maps. To my surprise, I did find a beautiful edition on Amazon. You can see it here. https://amzn.to/4ebGjiz
I also found this New King James Version MacArthur Study Bible on Amazon that I especially liked because of its index to key Bible doctrines, the overviews of the life of Christ, His ministry, and His week of Passion. This is a hardcover version. If you would like to learn more, Click Here. https://amzn.to/3ZzwA18
My third choice of a beautiful Study Bible is the ESV Hardcover Study Bible. I particularly like its full-color maps and illustrations, 50+ topical theology articles, and the many Bible character profiles. You can see it here. https://amzn.to/3XyhRB0
Devotional Books
There are many great devotions for men, women, teens, and couples which have daily reading plans. They contain articles and study resources to help you understand God’s Word and apply it to daily living. They can help you find personal growth, understanding, and uncontainable joy. You can find examples on my Resource Recommendations page.
Journal Bibles
Journal Bibles provide the opportunity to document your spiritual growth within the pages of your Bible daily. A Journal Bible features pages for writing new revelations, reflections, and prayers. This ESV Journaling Bible on Amazon is perfect for those who love to take notes and reflect on their readings. To learn more, see my Resource Recommendations page.
Picture Bibles
Picture Bibles are perfect for young children to provide visual descriptions of some of the great Bible stories. They spark interest to continue learning and to develop a lifelong routine of studying God’s Word. See examples on my Resource Recommendations page.
Student Bibles
Student Bibles are a great choice for helping young adults gain a better understanding of Bible truths. They are designed to reveal how the Bible views the tough decisions that youth face with clear, and honest answers. The NIV Student Bible on Amazon is highly recommended for its practical insights and study tools. If you would like to learn more, see my choices on my Resource Recommendations page.
Large Print Bibles
Large Print Bibles help to retain our desire to read the scriptures when our eyesight becomes impaired or begins to fade with old age. They are much easier to read with larger than normal text.The KJV Holy Bible, Giant Print Full-size Faux Leather Red Letter Edition is my favorite. You can learn more by clicking this link. https://amzn.to/3Bb3Mls
Parallel Bibles
Parallel Bibles show side-by-side comparisons of multiple versions to help gain more understanding of their meaning. The NIV/KJV Parallel Bible on Amazon allows you to compare two popular translations easily. My best choices are on my Resource Recommendations page.
Conclusion
No matter where you are in your faith journey, there is a Bible that can help you grow closer to God. For a curated list of recommended Bibles and other resources, visit our Resource Page.
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