Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category
The Open Bible – Review
The Open Bible was one of the first study Bibles I ever had as a young Christian, so when I saw that Thomas Nelson was releasing an updated version I had to check it out.
The review copy of this Bible is the hardcover which makes for a durable Bible that can take a beating but is a little bulky. The version is New King James, which you may or may not like. My first version was King James so I do find the New King James a great update, but still prefer the English Standard version. However, I do appreciate the fact that the translators of the NKJV used the original KJV as a benchmark, while working to produce an accurate and modern word-for-word translation.
I appreciate the features of this study Bible. It opens with a “How to guide…” to orient people to the features of the study bible and continues with a six and a half page guide for how to study the bible. The author of this section encourages the reader to dig deep into the scriptures. This is a good bible for new Christians with a section called, “The Christian’s Guide to the New Life.”
This bible contains not only a 94 page concordance but an almost 300 page Biblical cyclopedic index that is a special kind of subject index that comes the best features of a concordance, and a topical index. The authors include a useful how to for using this index.
Between the Old and New Testament you will find an introduction to the visual survey of the Bible that includes a timeline and history of the early world, a basic history of Israel. There is a life of Christ chart that compare and contrast the Gospels.
Each book of this bible begins with an introduction of the book, including information about the author and the time of the writing. There is also a section in the introduction that focuses how Christ in the book. The introduction also includes an outline of the book.
The text includes cross references and many passages have additional notes to help the reader better understand the passage.
After the book of Revelation this study bible includes a harmony of the Gospels, prophecies of the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and a Guide to Christian workers that focus the reader on the Great Commission and a question and answer section for help in dealing with people. There is more information backed into this Study Bible, but I want to leave you with a few things to discover for yourself.
This is an excellent choice for a Bible for a new Christian who desires to learn more about God and His Word. It is also a good choice for those who love the King James but want a good study bible. The downside (for me) is that it’s only available in New King James.
I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to review this Study Bible, I was under no obligation to give anything but my honest opinion.
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NKJV Open Bible, Bonded leather, black By Thomas Nelson
The study Bible that gets you quickly and fully into the Word.
Find what you need! The Open Bible, New King James Version is designed for the hungry reader. This Bible is filled with amazing study aids including comprehensive book introductions and outlines, 64-page concordance, Read-Along references and translation notes, and the classic Biblical Cyclopedic Index covering more than 8,000 textual entries. The Open Bible, New King James Version also features a seven-step method on How to Study the Bible, a Visual Survey of the Bible, The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, and The Greatest Archaeological Discoveries of the Bible. Features include:
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NKJV Open Bible, Bonded leather, black indexed By Thomas Nelson
The study Bible that gets you quickly and fully into the Word.
Find what you need! The Open Bible, New King James Version is designed for the hungry reader. This Bible is filled with amazing study aids including comprehensive book introductions and outlines, 64-page concordance, Read-Along references and translation notes, and the classic Biblical Cyclopedic Index covering more than 8,000 textual entries. The Open Bible, New King James Version also features a seven-step method on How to Study the Bible, a Visual Survey of the Bible, The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, and The Greatest Archaeological Discoveries of the Bible. Features include:
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More Beauty, Less Beast: Transforming Your Inner Ogre–Debora Coty
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More Beauty, Less Beast: Transforming Your Inner Ogre By Debora Coty / Barbour Publishing If you ever wrestle with that out-of-control inner ogre that threatens to destroy the divinely beautiful princess hidden within, this witty and wise book is for you. With simple, practical tips for taming that nasty, unsightly beast, you’ll discover how to transform its unattractive snarl into inner and outer beauty – refashioned, revitalized, and renewed. |
Review Summary: Let me just start by saying I found this book both funny and encouraging. And overall, I could related to what the author was saying. I’m not a typical girly girl that gets excited about purses and shoes. So some of her examples leave me rolling my eyes. However, when she got to the third section where she broke down the fruit of the Spirit she really got me. She did a great job of driving home key points that I believe scripture is trying to teach us. This would be a great book for personal devotion and I think it would be a kick to use as a Bible study.
Digging Deeper: As I said the first section was tough for me, in that, I’m not a typical woman, growing up on a farm with no brothers I was expected to work hard feeding cattle and hauling wood. But I the first section titled “Outer Beauty” the author looks at many of the traps that ensnare women, such as judging by appearances or Maturing Gratefully. Each chapter begins with verses of encouragement and ends with suggestions on how to tame the beast that lives within so many of us.
The second section the author moves from the outer beauty to the inner beauty. And really hits hard the crux of the matter that in the big picture it’s the inside that really matters to God. Here she deals with overcoming adversities in our lives as well as dealing with our self-esteem and guilt that we women tend to carry.
In the section she refers to as the undergarments is the fruit of the Spirit working in our lives. And thankfully she equates God’s fruits to fruits we recognize not pieces of underwear! Yes, I realize as I’m sure the author does that Galatians says the Fruit of the Spirit, not fruits, but I feel that she through scripture leads in God pleasing growth.
Finally in section four, she reminds us of the importance of making a difference in our world. She through the eight chapters will make you cry and laugh, but even more importantly think. How can I make a difference in the world around me.
The only potential downside to using this book as a Bible study is the fact there are 34 chapters. However, the chapters are short and at times you could probably cover two chapters a week. However, if you don’t mind an extended time I could see how this book could enrich the lives of a group of women drawing them closer to God and each other.
If you would like to learn more about Debora check out her website
Disclaimer: I want to thank the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. The only obligation I was under was to give my honest feelings about the book.
Review–Busy Mom’s Bible by Zondervan
One of the most popular translations the NIV provides a thought by thought translation of the Bible. This particular devotional Bible has a lot to offer.
It starts off with a “How to use” guide to encourage busy moms to spend at least some time in the Word. It encourages the reader that even if they have only a minute in their day there is something for them in this Bible. The publisher provides 52 one minute starters. Along with the one minute starters are five minute reflect and pray studies. Something to take you just a little deeper.
For those who have a whole ten minutes in their day the publishers have provided what they call a 10-minute study. My favorite being the God is… study.
I didn’t think about this when I selected this Bible for review, but the online version didn’t give me the same “feel” as a physical Bible. As an online Bible using the Bluefire Reader it is very frustrating to maneuver. (I’ve found that true with most online Bibles)
I think this Bible has a lot to offer not only busy mom’s but anyone. The publisher has provided some good references and give the reader to dig as deep as they like. However, for deeper study I still prefer the Life Application Bibles.
Rating: B-
Source: netgalley.com
![435570: NIV Busy Mom"s Bible, Pink/Hot Pink Duo-Tone](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/tiny/4/435570.gif "435570: NIV Busy Mom"s Bible, Pink/Hot Pink Duo-Tone") |
NIV Busy Mom’s Bible, Pink/Hot Pink Duo-Tone By Zondervan The NIV Busy Mom’s Bible is a trim, go-anywhere pocket Bible that gives you inspirational content quickly during the course of your day. Packed with one-minute thought starters and featuring the entire Old and New Testaments of the most-read, most-trusted NIV Bible, plus relevant and encouraging thoughts for the day, this is spiritual fuel for your busy mom-on-the-go lifestyle. The NIV Busy Mom’s Bible is a trim, go-anywhere pocket Bible that gives you inspirational content quickly during the course of your day. Packed with one-minute thought starters and featuring the entire Old and New Testaments of the most-read, most-trusted NIV Bible, plus relevant and encouraging thoughts for the day, this is spiritual fuel for your busy mom-on-the-go lifestyle. GOT A MINUTE? ONLY A MINUTE? This Bible is designed just for you. Throughout this Bible, you will find 52 one-minute Thought Starters that let you dip into God’s Word for a minute of refreshment. To go deeper, each of these Thought Starters is followed by an option for a five-minute Reflect and Pray or a ten-minute Study to help you learn even more about what God’s Word has to say to you today. Devotional thoughts are written specifically for you, the busy mom, and cover topics such as raising kids, marriage, emotions, and your identity in Christ. Other Features Include:
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