How to Choose the Best Bible for You

We are told time after time that one of the best things that we can do as Christians is spending time in God’s Word. Many of us know that time in the Bible leads to more peace, comfort, conviction, and encouragement than anything else we could do. Today, there are so many options when it comes to picking out a Bible that sometimes even knowing which type of Bible we should buy is enough to keep us from diving into one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given! There are so many types of Bibles that there is bound to be a perfect fit for any lifestyle. Whether you read your Bible on your commute, with your cup of morning coffee, or while in your pajamas for the evening, there is a perfect fit for you. So here is a guide to the primary Bible types to help you choose how you can experience God’s gift of love and truth daily.

Devotional Bibles

Devotional Bibles contain features that focus on specific needs and show how God’s Word addresses those areas in the reader’s life. Not only are you getting the Word of God, but you are also getting supplemental words of encouragement and direction in how God’s words may play out in your own life. This Bible can help you take time to reflect and respond to the ways in which God moves in our everyday lives. Example:

NLT THRIVE Devotional Bible for Women, Our Daily Bread Devotional Bible NLT,

The Message Devotional Bible, Large Print

Best read with: a cup of coffee or tea and slippers

Study Bibles

If you are a student at heart and find great joy in knowing every cultural reference and the historical significance of a passage, then a study Bible is for you! Study Bibles are loaded with useful insights and commentary to help readers grow in their personal relationships with God. They are full of background information that you may not have been able to recognize from the text yourself. Academics and writers have done all the research for you, giving you their findings and the results of their studies right on the page in front of you. Example: NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

Best read with: many highlighters and a magnifying glass

Coloring & Journaling Bibles

Perfect for the creative types in your life, journaling Bibles are tailored for artistic expression, with features such as wide-ruled margins, blank page edges, and lay-flat bindings. These are great options that allow you to interact with the text and express firsthand what is being revealed to you personally as you read. This is a great Bible for someone who isn’t afraid to get a little messy while bringing the Scripture to life in a personal, unique way. Example: Inspire Bible NLT, NLT Reflections Bible, The Message Scribe Bible

Best read with: colored pencils, pens, watercolors, and your creatives juices

Text & Reference Bibles

For those of us who are easily distracted, text and reference Bibles emphasize the Scripture text and may or may not contain additional, small features, such as cross”‘references to locate related verses. This type of Bible is great for seeing the ways that all Scripture is interconnected. While reading the Christmas story, you are pointed to the words of the prophet Isaiah, who lived centuries before Jesus’ birth. While reading about the Last Supper, you can find verses about the Exodus when the people of God were rescued from slavery in Egypt. It’s such a beautiful way to see God’s sovereignty displayed throughout the whole Bible. Example (with a digital twist): Premium Gift Bible NLT

Best read with: nimble fingers for all that page-turning

Compact & Thinline Bibles

Slimline Bibles contain classic reference features including a dictionary/concordance, Bible helps, maps, and a presentation page. They are perfect to take with you on the go and come in many sizes. Slimline Bibles fit easily in your backpack or commuter bag so that you are never without the Word of God. You can have a remarkable moment whether you are on your way home from work or sitting on a mountain top after a long hike and hear from the Lord directly. Example: NLT Thinline Reference Bible, Filament Enabled Edition, The Message Slimline, Compact Edition Bible NLT

Best read with: a bus pass and comfortable shoes

Reading this list may be overwhelming. Perhaps you’re thinking, I still don’t know which one is best for me. Well, let us help you out. Mark off your specific preferences using this Bible Finder tool to find out which Bible is best for you!

Find more Bibles at Tyndale.com and NavPress.com.