Choosing the Right Bible For You
I walked into the Family Christian Store only to see a huge wall lined with many bibles. My first thought was “WOW! How do I know which bible to choose? Theres so many.”
I wanted to walk out of there as I was thinking “I am not going to stand here all day trying to go through them all. How do I even know which is the ‘right’ one?” I felt too overwhelmed by how many translations and bibles there was. The thought, “What if I buy the wrong bible?” flooded my mind.
Maybe you can relate? You see many bibles, posts on instagram of different bibles, you begin to wonder which one is the best one to have?
Friend, if I were sitting next to you in my living room with my cup of coffee or tea in hand, I’d tell you something like this… “don’t fret. Don’t worry and don’t stress. Take a deep breathe and let’s find you one together. How about we pray together first and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in which bible is best for you.”
I’d then show you my stack and have you flip through them.. all of them… I wouldn’t be ashamed with what you see, I wouldn’t be afraid at what you’d think, because God. You’d see highlights, underlines, prayers, scribbles, stained tear drops, cringed and wrinkled papers, you’d see bookmarks and writings all in between lines. You would see that I’ve walked through a lot, but you will also see that in it, reading His Word and being with Him, truly has helped and changed me in ways no person can. You will see how He pulled me through the roughest and toughest of seasons with His refreshing Word. And I believe wholeheartedly He will surely bring you closer to Him through your seasons too.
Now I hope this image didn’t scare you…. I own quite a few bibles, actually, some are missing from this photo. Of course it never started off that way. It started off as one.
With four daughters, I felt very led to hand one down to each daughter as they grew older, sharing what God spoke to me and how he taught me His word throughout my years.
I believe each bible we have, whether it’s one or it’s ten, serves a purpose and helps, matures, grows, and strengthens us in our walk with Christ.
I’m going to share a brief view with photos of the bibles in the picture above, that I use in hopes this could help clarify a few questions for you 🙂
Journaling Bibles are one of my favorites to use. I wish I knew about them when I first was getting to know Christ. He speaks when we read the Bible, and each time He speaks when I read the Word, I write what He downloads to me and sometimes date it if I don’t forget. To me, it is a heart opening place where you can journal what He speaks and reveals to you or even study the words in itself.
My first journaling Bible I purchased is the ESV Single Column Chestnut Leaf Bible. It has tons of writings in it now because I’ve had it for years. I now use it as a family bible, writing in my prayers in them for my family. I have to say this bible has quite a bit of tear stains in it as it has been one to carry me through my life. The pages are yellow tint with black lettering. The words aren’t too small or large and the size is a perfect size.
This ESV journaling bible is from Hosanna Revival (they have the prettiest bibles), and it is called the Yorkshire. What I love about it is that its a smaller compact bible that I can carry along with me anywhere I go fitting in my handbag perfectly. I love the gold lettering of what it says on the back. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom” 1 Corinthians 3:17. Of course this one is written in so much as well, but its one I cling to taking with me everywhere I go.
In the year of 2019 I began reading this bible, The Daily Walk Bible. What I like about this bible, is it has each days reading along with an overview, an example or metaphor, to help grasp that days reading. The translation is NLT, which I’m still iffy on only because I love word for word not thought for thought (more on this below). But I still read it because I like to compare different versions on the verses I read. I have a custom made bible cover from Mama Boo Clay on it to protect the front and back. She makes the prettiest covers for your journal and bible if you’re in the market for one.
As I began to read more into the Word, I wanted to know more about what I was reading. Of course I don’t always recommend to rely on man’s word but it does help clarify a few things. We should always always always invite the Holy Spirit in asking the Father to reveal His Word to us. He will surely do so. This is the ESV Student Study Bible. I recommend to begin with this bible so it doesn’t overwhelm you when you dive in and begin to learn the Word even more. Its a perfect study bible for any walk with christ you are in. This bible has a Mama Boo Clay cover on it as well, to help protect the leathering.
This study bible I own is much thicker filled with more study keys in it. If you want to go more in depth, this would be the study Bible to go with. Though I don’t recommend this one being your first study bible, it also is one to grow more in depth of the Word.
The price is affordable and it has a beautiful soft leather touch to it.
The CSB Women’s study Bible is one I have learned to like. It is full of color, going more in depth of studying the women in the Bible. I find it helpful when I am wanting to know more on a story I read and how that particular woman is tied to Jesus. It shows the backgrounds and character traits of the women.
One bible that I have loved over the years is the CSB She Reads Truth Bible. I have it in the indexed champagne color. I was once given a SRT (she reads truth) bible, but that one was written in like crazy. Markings and tears from my little one (it was my second child at the time) and missing pages… it was time for an upgrade. It truly has impacted my walk with Christ. I love the short devotionals, colored pages, timelines, bible in a year chart and even the topical index in the back.
Lastly, the newest addition (meaning in August of 2021) I felt led to grab this, the ESV Hebrew-Greek Study Bible. Funny thing is, I wasn’t in search of a new bible or this one, but I felt the Lord sharing on my heart to dive deeper into knowing the true meanings of the words I read. I would research them online, but as you know, there’s so much sites that it can be overwhelming. It’s not a coincidence I cam across this by “accident”. There was actually many different translations in this bible but since ESV is my favorite, I grabbed it and have been liking it so far. Here is just a brief view it.
Friend, I know there are so many translations out there and you aren’t sure which to choose or where to begin. I want to help. Though I don’t have all the answers, I want whichever bible you choose to be the one that draws you closer to Him, having a desire and a deep hunger for the Word of God, falling more in love with the creator and author, not the Bible itself.
Tips I learned along the way:
- First, Pray. Ask the Lord which translation and bible is best for you in this season. He will show you.
- View the translation chart. Below I share the chart for the translations to help pinpoint where you’d like to stay. Word for word is more on keeping the word the same without changing words. Thought for thought is not personal choice, but I do view those translations from time to time on the YouVersion app.
- Red Letters and Concordance. These two go hand in hand and are the ones we definitely should look for when purchasing our bible. Red letters are Words of Christ, showing when he teaches and speaks. Concordance is in the very back of the Bible helping you search words & verses.
- Block time to search. Block an hour and go take a look at bibles in a store, if possible, to get a feel. Never try the internet first, internet is great, but when you have it in hand, it’s a far different experience and more likely better.
- Enjoy your bible. Most of all, have fun finding one and enjoy your new bible. Don’t make it harder than what it is. This bible is a living and active bible that impacts our daily life. Whether you choose a thinline, a study bible, or a devotional bible, God will speak through it, revealing more of himself to you.
Never let choosing a bible be a burden friend. I pray that you will leave reading this post with a bit more clarity and peace, walking into the store ready to walk out with a bible in your hand hungry for the Lord and His Word, ready to dive in upon purchasing. May the Lord guide you on this journey in searching and choosing the right bible for you.
My dear sweet friend, here is my prayer for you:
Abba Father, the one in whom I can trust and confide in, I thank you for being our father and bringing us together. I thank you for knitting this moment together knowing already what would happen. Father, I come to you today and lift up my sweet friend to you, I ask that you fill her up with your immeasurable love, with your life giving Word and your guidance. I ask you that you help bring her to the right bible that will speak & transform her very life. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our Path, and I pray that this bible will be just that. Give her a hunger and a desire to know your Word and know YOU. May this very bible you draw her too, lead her to the well, the life transforming grace you give. Thank you for drawing her near to you and filling her up with your love and presence in Jesus Name,
Amen.