Skip to main content

Choosing a Bible


Bible 101—some helps for choosing a Bible.


Reading the Bible – sounds simple enough! Warning – there are dozens to choose from!


  1. Check them out. Get familiar with a few different translations of Scripture. You can easily do this online at http://www.biblegateway.com/ Check out the different translations by looking up Psalm 23. Read them and see which style you most perfer.

  2. Translations – New Living Translation (NLT) is a current, accurate, easily read translation. In the end choose one you will read! Other good options include: New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Keep in mind all texts are translated either word for word or phrase by phrase.

  3. A word on using The Message ®. We’d suggest using this version of the Bible as a compliment to any translation. Just keep in mind The Message ® is not a translation but rather a paraphrase of scripture based on the author’s perspective, personal insight, and is geared toward making the story applicable to the time.

  4. Study Helps – May or may not include: time lines, maps, concordance, cross reference, dictionaries, book descriptions, about the book author, literary descriptions, date and history, major theological themes, book outlines, verse by verse notes, etc.
    Choosing YOUR Bible: The best way to make your selection is to go to a Christian book store and look through a few to find one you like. Ask a few friends or others about what's worked for them.


Most importantly, choose one you'll read and read it!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shaking the System

Here at Grace Community Church we just finished a four week series entitled Shaking the System. If you missed any of these -- you can listen online at www.gracecc.org/sermons.html How did this weekend series stir you? What questions or concerns did it raise in your heart and mind? This past week Dave Rod gave us some ideas for personal engagement -- have you or are you planning to take any steps to personally get engaged in social justice issues?
18 comments
Read more

Good Shepherd

As you read the Bible you’ll find a variety of descriptions and metaphors for God. One of the metaphors you’ll notice is that of “shepherd.” Most of us are familiar with Psalm 23 which begins with “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want….” We’d love to invite you to think about God as your shepherd. Although it’s a stretch to imagine the full significance of this metaphor (since we suburbanites have little reference for sheep and shepherding) there is still much to be discovered about Who God is and how he relates to His sheep (oh I mean people). There are two passages of scriptures we’d love to encourage you to read. Psalm 23 and John 10:1-18. As you read these two passages, what are you discovering about Who God is and how He thinks about you? Meditate on this Verse I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… John 10:14 Go to God Father God, I am SO thankful that You are my Shepherd…leading and guiding me. You are all knowing and Your wisdom I cannot fat...
6 comments
Read more

Praying as We Breathe In & Out

By offering a simple prayer with every breath, we can be reminded "for in him we live and move and exist" (Acts 17:28). Although rather simple, this practice requires a connection between the unconscious act of breathing and a conscious expression to God. A Bit of History The church has practiced breath prayer or "prayer of the heart" for millennia . The Eastern Orthodox Church, in particular, has seen breath prayer as a way of living out Paul's instruction to "pray without ceasing."         Examples Jesus Prayer Take a moment to become aware of your breathing. It might help to find a quiet place -- close your eyes and notice your breathing. As you breath in -- bring your thoughts to Jesus. As you breath out -- express a word of gratitude or need. For example, breath in -- saying "Lord, Jesus Christ" -- breath out saying "have mercy on me." Throughout your day -- as you notice your breathing -- take note an...
11 comments
Read more