Not sure which Bible is right for you? This ultimate buying a Bible guide breaks down translations, formats, and tips to help you choose with confidence.

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buying a bible guide

Connecting My Bible to “Real Life”

Through years of guidance and education, I learned that the Bible is much more than a book of stories, but a toolkit on how to live life well–a life lived with meaning, purpose, and direction. Just 8 years ago, I discovered how the Bible connected with “real” history (those things they teach you in school) and that most Bibles don’t follow a chronological order.

It’s understandable that many of us as adults want to revisit the things we learned as children in Sunday school or even try to decode the Bible for the first time, but many of us open it up to only feel overwhelmed. In choosing a Bible, we often question:

  • What do I do with this thing? 
  • Can I jump around or do I read from start to finish? 
  • What’s the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament? 
  • Why are there so many different versions? 

I’ve completed over 50 Bible studies in my adult life and I still crave more knowledge. Why? The Bible says, 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16

Instead of seeing the Bible as a historical document, look at it as a tool for living life well. It’s a reference book, workbook, daily meditation, counselor, advocate, inspiration, and motivation to find purpose in your days.

The Bible is filled with stories, psalms, poetry, parables, history, analogies, promises, encouragement, and prophecy.

Which Bible Should I Purchase?

The first thing you need to do in choosing a Bible to purchase is to find one that you love. Find a style that appeals to you–one that you look at and think, I could use this every day! 

Maybe you like the cover or the way it feels when you turn the pages. Maybe it has room to write or multiple versions for comparison.

Have a favorite Bible but are not sure you want to write all over it? Great! Set that aside and go purchase one that you can write in. Even if it’s the same exact one.

I’m not being sarcastic, I’m being serious. Bibles are meant to be read–get one that can get messy in the process!

A few years ago an older lady sat down next to me and then she opened this falling apart, ink-soaked, scraps-of-papers-Bible. I was in love. Here was my cute and pretty Bible, some of its pages untouched and this lady looked like her tears were staining the pages.

I wanted that for myself.

I went out that day and bought myself a new Bible that I loved. This week the binding on that Bible tore. A bittersweet, but proud reminder of the day I committed to using this Bible six years ago. It’s filled with notes, bookmarks, prayers, photocopied diagrams, and maps.

I love opening it because it feels alive with purpose, meaning, and motivation.

buying a bible guide

What’s With All the Different Versions?

When choosing a Bible, you need to consider the different versions or translations. If you’re new to this, then you may be confused by the variety. I grew up on NIV so I use it the most. However, when I’m at church, people come in the doors with all kinds of versions and I love hearing the same verse in different ways.

So why are there so many? When the Bible was translated from the original Greek and Hebrew, there was room for interpretation. Some translations are literal word for word while some are complete paraphrases. Others combine the two concepts of words and ideas so I suggest you use multiple versions for comparison. The good news is many apps and websites will do that for you for free! For example, check out YouVersion and Bible Gateway.

Purchasing a Bible

Ready to start choosing a Bible? There are so many types to choose from. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Parallel Bibles

Parallel Bibles offer multiple versions for side-by-side comparisons so that you can get more understanding on the meaning of verses.

2. Women’s Study Bibles

These devotionals throughout the Bible geared specifically toward women are so diverse! Lots to choose from. 

3. Journaling Bibles

Journaling Bibles are useful for people like me who love to doodle and write. They come in all formats, from full blank pages to guided lines in the margins, so check out a few different styles.

4. She Reads Truth Bible

This beautifully designed unique bible uses the Christian Standard Version and accompanies it with verse highlights and historical information, as well as diagrams and timelines.

5. Reference Bibles

Reference Bibles usually come with detailed concordance and/or commentary. A concordance is basically an index of words and topics that will point you to specific verses. In contrast, commentaries vary from footnotes to full studies explaining difficult concepts or providing background for reference.

6. Quickview Bible

I love the visuals in the Quickview Bible. It’s an NIV Bible alongside infographics in order to help you organize your thoughts as you learn the facts of the Bible. In addition, it includes reoccurrences of numbers in the Bible and timelines of major characters.

7. Archaeological Bibles

These Archaeological Bibles are for anyone who loves reading up on bible history and watching the History Channel. Any recent discoveries are also documented in these color photo-filled Bible.

You Might Also Like…

Still not sure which one to pick? Check out my Bible Favorites Page to see photos and links to the Bibles I personally use and recommend!

Then check out more posts on Bible study here:

Keep studying, friends!

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