How to Choose a Bible & the Bible I Use
I’ve been asked by readers the following questions…”What Bible do I use?” “And how do I choose one?”
These are both great questions, especially if you’re a new Believer or if you’re desiring to grow deeper in your walk with Christ.
In my video I share the different Bibles I use and why, and I also give you some tips on the different versions and what to look for when you’re choosing your Bible.
If you can’t view the video in your feed reader, you can watch it here.
Study Bibles come with a plethora of tools, such as maps, topical studies, concordances, as well as commentaries, which is just an overview explaining what the Scriptures mean. But keep in mind that these commentaries are man’s perspective.
When I was new in the Lord, I appreciated the commentaries because the explanation of the verses helped me, but as I grew deeper in my faith and understanding, I can tell you that I have not always agreed with every commentary that I have read.
The Bible says to, “test all things.” (1 Thes. 5:21)
Also, one thing I forgot to mention in the video is that some Bibles have Christ’s words written in red (but not all of them). When I was just learning to follow Christ, having Jesus’ words written in red really helped me to follow along in the Word. Even reading my Bible after all of these years, I still like having a Bible where my Lord’s words leap off the page due to a different color font. But of course, that’s my preference. To each his own. 🙂
If you’re a new believer in Christ, one Bible that I would highly recommend is The Bible for New Believers. This is a great Bible if you’re just starting out on your Christian journey! I would have loved this Bible when I was a new Believer because it explained so many basic things of the Christian faith but it wasn’t available back then.
Also, I said in the video that I didn’t think my study Bible was still in print, but I was wrong. I found one at www.CBD.com.
So what’s your favorite Bible translation? And do you have a favorite study Bible? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Live a poured out life for Christ,
I’m linking up with: Women Living Well, and The Better Mom.
I find it very interesting to see what other versions of the Bible that people use. I have several different ones inclunding two parallel bibles, NASB,NIV.NLT,HCSB, NKJV, ESV, AMP and MSG. I collect Bibles so to speak. I have several different NIV Womens devo bibles as I enjoy the different devotions in them.
Kelly, I feel like a Bible collector as well! I guess all that really matters is that we’re reading it!
We have an older Bible (maybe 1970s?) called The Open Bible that is KJV, but with many extra “helps”. I also like NLT for the “modern” writing, and Amplified because it really helps me understand the passages more in depth. Sometimes I read all three translations, but I usually use KJV the most because I really like “old school” writing 😀
Heather, I like the Amplified, too! Since I wasn’t raised on the KJV the ‘old school’ writings just don’t make sense to me. Perhaps my brain needs to slow down a bit to process the thee’s and thine’s?? 🙂
I’ve heard that reason used so many times, but the KJV is written at a 5th grade level and NIV at 7th grade. Getting over the thee’s and thine’s are so easy to do once you try. Give it a chance, it is such a blessing!
Funny you don’t understand the KJV. The KJV is written in an eighth grade level. The rest of the versions are 10th grade level and up.
I’m curious where you got your info. Could you please reference. Very interesting!
<a href="Bible Translation Reading Levels
I’ve heard that they were written at 5th grade for KJV and 7th for NIV. I will try and find a link to support this. Although I think KJV is best version (this coming from someone who was raised on NIV) I think opening up your Bible and reading and learning about our amazing Father is what’s important.
I have an Amplified Bible and Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible which I use frequently. I also have several Prophecy Bibles- Jack Van Impe, John Hagee, Grant Jeffrey, and Tim LaHaye, that I use when I am watching prophecy teaching. I also have a parallel Bible
I love my ESV Reformation Study Bible (Sproul) and my ESV YouVersion Bible app. I listen to my reading plan on YouVersion while I get ready in the morning, but as far as Bible study, I like my Reformation Study Bible. I also use my John MacArthur study Bible for study too.
Oh and as part of our homeschool, we like listening to the dramatized audio Bible (Faith Comes By Hearing). We’re studying Gen-Deut as part of our history this year, so there’s a lot of dramatic dialogue in there. 😉
When I was a new believer I always wondered how there could be so many different versions that could all be called “God’s Word”. Which one should I memorize? The versions don’t all say the same things. How confusing. I began to study about Bible versions and original texts. There are several good books available that explain Bible translation, history, versions etc. The one I started with years ago was Bible Versions by G.A. Riplinger. This issue is SO crucial. I know so many people who are confused because they think they are studying God’s word, but are reading someone’s ideas from a perverted text. God is able to and has preserved his true word. I know this is a sensitive idea for some, but please consider the facts so you can be sure to be studying God’s true word.
I know I’m replying to an older post, but which version do you read?