NIV Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

The Life Application Study Bible is the #1 selling study Bible. With over 10,000 notes and features to help the reader both understand and live out Scripture, this Bible is an excellent resource for personal study and for use as a Bible teacher.

This is the third edition and some of the updates include: more notes, the “comfort print” font from Zondervan, and a new design for visual clarity to name a few. Having had a previous edition of the Life Application Bible, I was curious to see how this new edition looked and read.

 

First impressions are that the new design is much easier to follow and read. The in-text notes are easily recognizable by the color scheme difference and the footnotes are separated by a red bar.

The font for both the main text and notes is a bit small, with the footnotes being smaller than the main text.  It does read easy with the font but it could have been a bit bigger for me. Another item for concern is how bad ghosting (see words from the other side of the page) is in this Bible. It is very noticeable and quite distracting while reading. I would have hoped that either line-matching would have happened or a more creamier color paper used to mitigate this.

Also, I noticed that the poetical texts seemed to be lighter in color than non-poetic readings. I am not sure why that it but it is a bit annoying in some of the prophetic books.

The construction of this Bible is quite nice with perimeter stitching for reinforcement and a good binding (mine is the leather soft). It is not edge-lined which is not surprising for a leather-like binding.

It is a heavier Bible and not ideal for carrying in a backpack. Also if a Bible for devotional reading is being sought,

I would not suggest this Bible as the prevalent notes will most likely be a distraction while trying to read the main text.

*I received this free review copy from Bible Gateway Blogger Grid in exchange for my honest review. #BibleGatewayPartner

NIV Quest Study Bible (Comfort Print)

The NIV Quest Study Bible is a study Bible that, instead of having a myriad of footnotes, has questions and answers that interact with the text as one reads through the Scriptures. With over 7,000 notes in this Q&A format, the reader has questions that pertain to the text being read to help better understand key aspects of what is being read.

There are also helpful, larger articles in the footnotes for more in-depth questions. In addition, the larger footnotes also contain information to help better understand the book being read. There are also book introductions to give a quick summary on when the book was written, who the target audience was, and the main purpose of the book.

As to the Bible construction, the hardback is sewn-bound and has one bookmark that matches the dust jacket in color. The paper is thin and I would not suggest writing much in this Bible unless you use Bible marking pens/pencils as it will most likely bleed through to the other side. Ghosting (when the thin paper allows for the text on the other side of the page to be seen) is present and is most noticeable in the poetry books.

This Bible is a heavier Bible so I would not suggest using this to carry in a backpack or shoulder bag. Also, if you are looking for a Bible to just read I would also not suggest this Bible as the questions are prevalent and could be distracting while reading.

Having said that, if you are interested in a study Bible that is not so note-heavy that it is hard to read the text, this Bible may be the one for you.

*I received this free review copy from Bible Gateway Blogger Grid in exchange for my honest review. #BibleGatewayPartner

ESV Prayer Bible

Prayer is a topic that has volumes upon volumes written on it. From how to pray, to prayerbooks, and even certain prayers in the Bible, prayer is a subject that has perplexed and challenged many over the centuries.

The ESV Prayer Bible was developed with end goal of the reader having a better understanding of prayer by reading prayers from various people. Some prayers are brief and others more lengthy. Some from known readers and some from not so well known. Either way, with more than 400 prayers,  this Bible has prayers that will encourage and potentially mature those who are looking for a stronger prayer life by reading the prayers of those who have gone before.

It is has a 9.25 font for the main text with a 7.25 font for the prayers. It weights just over two pounds and is slightly over five inches in width and eight inches in height. It is in single column format which not something I typically use but it works well with the prayers versus a double column format. Presently, it comes in hardback (which is what i have) and Trutone.

*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest assessment.

NET Bible 2nd Edition

The NET Bible is a unique Bible in that it approaches Bible translation from that of the translator. The notes have more to do with why a particular passage is translated as it is. There are notes that are study notes but these serve to aid the translator notes which I appreciate greatly.

This Bible is also different in that it is completely free to disperse across the internet (within the proper guidelines). This gives teachers and pastors the ability to print out the passages of Scripture they will be discussing without need to contact the publisher for permission.

As to the Bible design, it is a double column format in 9.5 font that is easy to read. It is Smyth sewn and comes in either bonder or genuine leather. It is a bigger Bible with over 58,000 notes which is great for study but not ideal for carry. There are smaller editions for carry but these do not have the extensive notes as the full size edition.

I would encourage all Bible readers to look into the NET Bible as I believe it will enhance study and understanding of how Bibles are translated and also the richness of some text to shine.

*I received a review copy for my honest assessment.

Reformed Preaching by Joel R. Beeke

There is a lot of preaching today that is focused on bolstering the hearer. The illustrations and anecdotes are used to assume and enlighten those who need encouragement. Encouraging messages are needed at times. However, when they are all that a preacher uses then he does a colossal disservice to his listeners. 

Joel R. Beeke has written a wonderful book on why it is vital that preachers teach both that which brightens the mind and calls the soul to act. True preaching shows the listener where they have gone awry against the truths of Scripture and then shows how Christ gives power to live for Him and not for self.

While I would not classify myself as one who subscribes to reformed theology I can wholeheartedly agree that to preach only that which brings clarity of mind but not the glory of Christ is error. Both must be taught and Beeke expounds on this in his book giving Scriptural reasons on why this must be.

*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest assessment.

NIV, Starting Place Study Bible, Hardcover, Comfort Print

The Starting Place Study Bible is an excellent resource for those were getting into an introductory study the word of God. The notes, aids, and instructional articles are very helpful for those who were new to scripture or perhaps have been taught something and I wanted to make sure it is accurate. I found the particular aids throughout the scripture very relevant and also placed at idea locations to help understand a text and also to make sure the proper teaching was followed.

One item about this particular thing is it is a little heavy so it is not ideal for carrying around often. I also feel that the Bible is a bit blocky for my liking as I prefer taller and thinner versus thicker and shorter. That said just to be in a great resource for somebody who want to buy will be the very first time or perhaps wants their first Study Bible.

*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

NIV, Maxwell Leadership Bible, 3rd Edition, Premium Bonded Leather, Burgundy, Comfort Print

If you have read my post for some time you will know that I highly regard the leadership trainings of John Maxwell. His material had impacted my life and I even had the privilege to meet him in person.

This latest Bible, which is really a revised edition of a previous Bible, has his leadership thoughts and teachings along side Biblical passages that use examples in Scripture of both good and bad leaders. By using examples from the Bible, Maxwell shows how Scripture has the best leadership advice and those wanting to be the best leadership should look to God’s Word.

The Bible itself is in the comfort print with is a print designed to be read easily. It comes in several bindings and the paper is decent. It is a bit heavy compared to some smaller editions of this Bible so it is not ideal for a lot of carry. It would do well for a devotional Bible if someone is wanting to studying leadership from a Biblical standpoint but I do not recommend it for more theologically-focused study.

*I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest assessment.