Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about women.

Last week I shared a post about some questions to consider before you buy a new Bible. You can read that post HERE.

Today, I decided to invite some of my friends to share with you about their personal Bible choices.

Each of these women loves the Lord and loves His word. I felt like they would be able to share some insights and wonderful ideas for Bible choices.

Would you like some awesome suggestions of Bible translations, types, and formats? Here are 14 Bible ideas from real people for real people. Read their stories and be encouraged and inspired by their Bible reviews and highlights.

I contacted each friend and asked them to share their answers to these questions:

1) What Bible type do you use? Study Bible? Publisher? Translation?

2) What do you like about it?

3) What do you wish it had and/or not like about it?

Here are their responses!

I’m calling this one…

“14 Awesome Bible Recommendations from 14 Awesome Women.”

Her website: https://conformingtothetruth.net/

1) Bible: New inductive Study Bible by Precept Ministries International Published By Harvest House Publishers. Translation: NASB

2) What do I like About it? I learned many years ago the Inductive Study method that Precept Ministries teaches in Chattanooga Tennessee. The new Inductive Study Bible is designed for marking words. The letters are larger than most Bibles and the scriptures are spaced further apart for the marking process. It is also designed with wide margins for note taking.

Most Bibles come with a commentary and paragraph themes. The inductive Study Bible does not. It is designed for you the student to walk through the word and after study, write the paragraph theme yourself. There is no commentary so that you can read and study the word without looking at what someone else gleaned from the scriptures. I like this very much. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and before I go to see what someone else learned I want to learn it first hand myself. {I am not saying you should never use a commentary. But what I am saying is do not go there first.}

I believe that the inductive Study Bible comes in the NASB translation as well as the ESV translation. why did I choose the NASB? First, it was the only translation they had at the time:) I would choose it again because I believe that NASB holds true to the original wording. It is a word for word translation not a thought for thought translation. The ESV may be as well but I have studied with the NASB for so long I cannot give it up.

3) What do I not like about it or wish it had? I am actually in the process of looking at getting a new Bible. I have been looking for a few months now and have decided that I am going to replace my current bible with the exact same one. I like everything about it. There is nothing that I would add or take away.

~ Find out more about Lisa’s Bible by clicking this link: New inductive Study Bible by Precept Ministries International

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Her website: http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/

1) Bible: Currently, I use an (Old) King James Version published by Jet Move Publishing which is over 5 years old. Funny, even when it falls apart I kindly ask my hubby to put it together again!

2) What I like About it? It holds center column references which I cherish so much, a topical concordance and red lettered Jesus sayings. It is easy to navigate maybe because I am so used to it like the back of my hand. (Totally highlighted.) Some of my other favorite perks are the one-year bible reading plan *which I sometimes use* are the discussions, a short history about each book, and a very short list of martyrs of the early church.

3) What I do not like about it or wish it had? I wish it had more, in terms of maps to the old historical sites of the bible and most treasured in-depth concordance.

~ Find out more about a Bible similar to Ifeoma’s by clicking: Nelson Classic Giant Print Center-column Reference Bible

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Her website: http://www.blessyourheartandhome.com/

1) Bible: The New Inductive Study Bible; New American Standard; Harvest House Publishers. The study material in the Bible was compiled by Kay Arthur and the staff at Precept Ministries International.

2) What I like About it? My favorite things about this Bible are the wide margins for taking notes, making lists, and sketching outlines, and also the untitled chapters. Rather than the editors titling each chapter, there is a blank before each chapter for me to write the chapter’s theme. As an introduction to each book of the Bible, there are helps for how to study that particular book. At the beginning of this study Bible, guidelines are provided for how to study the Bible inductively, but I would recommend picking up one of Kay Arthur’s books on her inductive study method to get the most out of using the features in this Bible.

3) What I do not like about it or wish it had? I wish it had more commentary by Kay Arthur or Precept Ministries, but although there are excellent study aids, maps, and timelines, this Bible has very little commentary. On the other hand, I admire and appreciate Kay Arthur’s desire to primarily drive people to the text of Scripture to mine it for themselves.

~ Find out more about Amanda’s Bible by clicking: The New Inductive Study Bible; New American Standard; Harvest House Publishers.

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Her website: http://www.lorischumaker.com/

1) Bible: My favorite right now and for the last few years is the Tyndale Life Application Study Bible – NLT translation. It seems that different Bibles have been favorites for different seasons of life. For many years, I loved the AMP translation because of the added vocabulary options it gives right in the text. My very favorite was created by Joyce Meyer. She applied the Biblical text to our everyday lives. It was what I needed then to speak through to me. But, I can honestly say I love all the translations! I’m a word girl so soaking in all the beauty of God’s Word through different word choices is exhilarating! I just sat down the other night with a young lady who is digging into the Word for the first time. She was wondering about translations and I pulled 5 off my shelf!

2) What I like About it? For my current favorite, I like that the NLT makes the language more contemporary yet still maintains an air of tradition. Because it is a study Bible, it has specific commentary at the bottom of each page. I love to read the scripture, hear what God is saying to me and then look at the commentary. I feel it often broadens my understanding of the time period, culture, or circumstances. It also gives the map, a timeline, and historical perspective of the author and/or the main “characters” of each book. I love history so all of these pieces really help me to understand the whole picture!

3) What I do not like about it or wish it had? Nothing! I love it just the way it is!

~ Find out more about Lori’s Bible by clicking: Tyndale Life Application Study Bible – NLT translation.

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Her website: http://countingmyblessings.com/

1) Bible: I use the New Living Translation of the Life Application Study Bible by Tyndale House Publishers.

2) What I like About it? I like the easy to read translation and the notes that help me dig deeper into Scripture and help me apply it to today. It’s full of maps, notes, and explanations.

3) What I do not like about it or wish it had? I suppose the only thing I would like it to have is wider margins for note taking. I like to write my thoughts while I’m reading, so I keep a notebook going. It would be nice to have room for them in the Bible itself.

~ Find out more about Deb’s Bible by clicking: New Living Translation of the Life Application Study Bible

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Her website: http://www.amydalke.com/

1) Bible: I use the Hebrew-Greek keyword study bible, NASB, published by AMG Publishers.

2) What I like About it?I’ve used this bible for nearly 4 years now, and it’s my very favorite. I like it because you don’t have to know Greek or Hebrew to understand the meaning of the original words used to write the books of the bible. Not only do you get the definitions, the dictionary gives you detailed explanations for how the word is used in various contexts. I started using this bible before seminary- and it’s still my go to.

~ Find out more about Amy’s Bible by clicking: Hebrew-Greek keyword study bible, NASB, published by AMG Publishers.

Alison Tiemeyer (Littleton, Colorado

1) Bible: I use a Bible called “Impact: The Student Leadership Bible.” It’s published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and is the New King James Version. I also use the Bible Gateway app to read The Message and the ESV versions.

2) What do I like about it?I like reading the Leadership Bible because all of my Bible study notes from high school and college are in this Bible. I’ve thought about getting a new ESV Study Bible – and I will someday soon – but it’s really amazing to witness how God has worked in my life by reading notes I took from high school. I also like reading a few different versions for a fuller understanding of the passage and its context.

3) What I do not like about it or wish it had? I wish that the Leadership Bible was more of a study Bible. I’ve never owned an actual study Bible (I use the internet and commentaries), but I am looking forward to someday having a study Bible. I also wish there was more room for note-taking. The pages often feel cramped. I tend to take a lot of notes, so I’d like more space on the pages for this.

~ Find out more about Alison’s Bible by clicking: “Impact: The Student Leadership Bible.”

Her website: http://www.ichoosebrave.com/

1) Bible: I use the NKJV, Thomas Nelson, 2010.

(My first Bible was a gift from my parents, a Precious Moments New King James Version still marked with the date February 24, 1987. These words shaped my early years. Memorization, family discussion and of course the annual reading of the Christmas Story were always from the New King James translation when I was a child.)

2) What I like About it? When I began to teach my own children The Word, I found myself going back to my roots and now read and teach from a slimline New King James Version. I love that it uses the words I was raised with. I love that it’s small and light and easy to use when I’m speaking. It feels like home.

~ Find out more about Katie’s Bibles by clicking below:

NKJV, Thomas Nelson, 2010

Precious Moments New King James Version

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Her website: http://www.dawnklinge.com/

1) Bible: I use two Bible versions. One’s an actual book (NIV) that I can hold and read in a comfortable chair, and the other (ESV) is for reading at my desk and studying. I have used the same Bible for over twenty years in my quiet devotional time. It’s falling apart but I love it. It’s the Women’s Devotional Bible, New International Version, published by Zondervan. I grew up in a church that primarily used the NIV version, so it’s what I know best. It’s what I have most Scriptures memorized in. I’ve also become more familiar with the English Standard Version (ESV) over the last ten years because it’s what has been used at my church.

2) What I like About it? I use the Gateway Bible app ESV version (found in app store) on my computer when I’m doing any Bible study and when I quote any verses in my writing. I do this for consistency. I also love that I can click on commentaries, read related verses, or other versions when I’m using the Gateway site. Finally, The Message, by Eugene Peterson. This does not qualify strictly as a version, but rather, a paraphrase. My pastor has quoted from The Message often, and I love how it uses modern language to help me understand the Scriptures. I plan on reading through The Message in the next year or so.

~ Find out more about Dawn’s Bible selections by clicking:

Women’s Devotional Bible, New International Version

English Standard Version

The Message, by Eugene Peterson

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Her website: http://gingerharrington.com/

1) Bible: I normally read the NASB as that’s the Bible I’ve used for years. I started memorizing from that translation, so I didn’t want to confuse myself by changing. However, I often go from NASB to reading online. Then I pull up The Message, The Amplified and NASB side by side on Biblegateway. I really like reading these three translations together.

~ Find out more about Ginger’s Bible selections by clicking below:

NASB – New American Standard Bible

The Message Bible

The Amplified Bible

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Her website: http://arabahjoy.com/

1) Bible: I have several Bibles that I use and I love each of them. The one I use most frequently, however, is my One Year Daily Bible.

2) What I like About it? This Bible structures your daily readings in such a way that you read through the entire Bible in a year. I have used this Bible now for nearly 25 years! It has given me the structure I need to regularly read through the Bible many, many times (and doesn’t include commentaries and notes so I don’t get sidetracked!) This year I am reading through the New Living Translation, but they have many translations and formats available that I’ve used and loved.

~ Find out more about Arabah Joy’s Bible selection by clicking: One Year Daily Bible.

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Her website: http://faithspillingover.com/

1) Bible: I use mainly the NIV version of the Bible.

2) What I like About it? I like its clear readability and faithfulness to the text. For daily reading, I prefer the Thinline Bible, one that has few footnotes and cross-references. Although notes, explanations, and extra material can be helpful, I feel like they can distract me from focusing on hearing what God is saying to ME when I read a passage.

I use the NIV Life Application Study Bible If I need more information to prepare a message or a Bible study. It is full of charts, timelines, character studies, and footnotes, which are so helpful. Over the years, I’ve referred to it often when one of my kids or someone attending our home Bible study has a question. The NIV is published by Zondervan.

Sometimes I use the New Living Translation because it brings new meaning and clarity to the scriptures for me, so encouraging to read! But it’s important to remember that that translation, while not a paraphrase, like The Message, does have a bit of commentary added in the translation; it’s not quite as faithful to the text.

3) What I do not like about it or wish it had? What I DON’T like about the NIV is that the new version, published in 2011, made an effort to be gender inclusive, so is not quite as faithful to the original text. It has some awkward constructions like “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23 This is both confusing and grammatically incorrect. The word “him” was eliminated.

For that reason, I just bought an ESV Journaling Bible, but I’m too sentimental to stop using my highlighted NIV!

~ Find out more about Betsy‘s Bible selections by clicking below:

NIV version of the Bible

Thinline Bible

NIV Life Application Study Bible

New Living Translation

The Message

ESV Journaling Bible

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Her website: http://ariyanagoodstuff.blogspot.com/

1) Bible: Yes I use the NASB translation. It’s the topical reference bible. Foundations Publication.

2) What I like About it? I love it, I had been researching different bibles and I chose this one because it has a topical section similar to the Nave’s topical bible, dictionary/concordance, reading plan, maps, introduction to the books of the bible, and cross reference passages in the center of the scripture pages. All of that and it’s not bulky.

~ Find out more about Ariyana‘s Bible selection by clicking: NASB translation. It’s the topical reference bible. Foundations Publication.

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Her website: http://www.leahadams.org/

1) Bible: I use and have used several Bibles. Right now my study bible is an ESV and I really like it. The study bible I used prior to this one was the John MacArthur Study Bible (New King James). I loved it too. I have also used the NIV study bible.

2) What I like About it? I like the ESV because it is deemed to be very close to the original manuscript. It and the NASB are the two closest translations to the original, I believe. As you probably know, one has to pay attention to NIV versions. The NIV 1984 version is the one I like, but it is getting more difficult to find. The updated 2011 version brought some changes of which I am not fond. For example, the language has been made more gender neutral. Instead of ‘brother’, the new version might read ‘brother and sister’. ‘Man’ might be ‘mankind’. So, if you have a 1984 version, hold onto it!

In addition to my study Bibles, I use the Zodhiates Key Word Study Bible for lexicons, tenses, and a dictionary A LOT. I think that knowing the original words in the Hebrew or Greek adds so much to one’s study. I also use Strong’s Concordance for lexicons if I am not at home. I have a Strong’s App on my mobile device.

~ Find out more about Leah’s Bible and book selections:

ESV Study Bible

NASB

John MacArthur Study Bible

NIV 1984

Zodhiates Key Word Study Bible

Strong’s Concordance

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Aren’t these amazing suggestions from women all over the world!

I’m so thankful for my wonderful friends and for their heart for God’s Word!

They bless me regularly, and I pray their words today have blessed you and given you some great suggestions as you search for a new Bible!

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You can get more info on translations and how to select a new Bible in this article: https://www.melanieredd.com/4-great-questions-consider-buying-new-bible/

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So, what do you think?

I’ll pose the same questions to you:

1) What Bible type do you use? Study Bible? Publisher? Translation?

2) What do you like about it?

3) What do you wish it had and/or not like about it?

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**And, would you do me a favor — if this article has encouraged you today — would you share it with someone else?

Maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?

~ This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links. Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. For more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.

~ I regularly link to these AMAZING SITES~

© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses women.

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