“Why do you have all these books about reading the Bible? Why don’t you just read the Bible?”
I’d been hosting a friend for the weekend and after a couple days of late summer fun on the lake, we decided to call a break. We brewed some tea and circled our way downstairs, dropping into the over-sized chairs in the middle of my home library.
While more critical than supportive of the Bible, she was genuinely intrigued by my various study materials.
I may as well confess it now: I’m a nerd at heart. Yes, I was that kid in school. The one who brought books home even when I didn’t have to, and who never, ever allowed the teacher to escape the day without collecting our homework.
“Let me get this straight,” my friend said. “You have all these books that teach you how to read another book?”
She was right. What began as a sincere desire to get to know God better evolved into a journey vastly different than any I’d ever known. I came to Jesus later in life, my mid-thirties, and out of respect for my new relationship, I wanted to read the Bible. But I also wanted to understand what I read.
I wanted to know not just what scripture said but what it meant. And even more than that, I wanted to know what I was expected to do about what it meant.
While I have no delusions of ever fully understanding everything about the Bible, I did want to glean from those who had taken the time to dive into God’s Word on a much deeper level than I had. So my resources were sort of like having an actively involved friend on the journey with me. A friend who just happened to have some great foot-notes and cross references and maybe even a few colored maps of where we were going.
I’ll also share how I’ve since learned to be careful who I invite along for that ride. Because apparently even the history and culture and language and traditions of biblical times can be subject to perspective. Like Miss Maudie said in To Kill a Mockingbird, “Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of [another].”
Everyone has an opinion, right.
My personal experience of uncovering God’s truth through His Word and accompanying study materials is the main reason I’m excited to introduce you to an awesome new resource from Thomas Nelson, The Woman’s Study Bible. And we get to give away a copy for FREE. Yay! {Be sure to leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing.}
I’m seriously picky about my Study Bibles these days. Because when I am actively seeking clarity and discernment on rightly handling God’s Word in that moment, I need to know I can trust my references.
This Bible doesn’t disappoint. I absolutely love the special features like the topical articles, the essays from women I follow and respect who are dealing with various life issues, and the many Character Profiles. Then there’s all those charts and timelines that are perfect for more in-depth studies, making this perpetual student quite happy.
I will warn you in advance, though: On the days you’re trying to navigate all of life and you feel like your “Quiet Time” might be a maximum of 5 minutes, the rich coloring of this Bible is going to shamelessly tempt you to linger just a little longer.
We’re super excited to be able to give away a copy so leave us a comment below and tell us how you use Study Bibles {or how you would like to} as you dig deeper into God’s Word.
{P.S. If you’ll be kind and share this giveaway on social media for us, we will give you an extra entry in the giveaway! Thanks in advance, friend.}
I study the Bible with different resources as well. As you said , trusted ones. I love studying and learning more about God and grow closer to Him!! Thank you for the opportunity to win this resource!
Love using a study Bible!!!! There are so many helps and insight in them that lead me to discover so much more than I would on my own.
I would totally love to try out a Study Bible because I think it would help me focus more. Right now I am using a devotional and kind of bouncing around from book to book in the Bible. I also love bible journaling, I’m a visual person and it helps me spend more time with my bible.
This is so Me! Can’t wait to study with this Bible.
My study centers on what I am teaching kids in chapel and kids worship. I love to develop a series, such as a close look at the parables.
Thank u for giving us this opportunity to win.i love study Bibles, different versions of Bible to.i love doing individual word study for deeper insight.i am so glad I found u on fb.have a blessed day
As a 64yr. woman, who developed a personal relationship with God only a few years ago, I am still in the mist of processing through my journey of the past and finding my future. I use Bible Studies as an aide to help me navigate through my maze, that was and is my life. Each one gives me a new perspective in my relationship with Lord.
I also use different study materials as
Well as my bible
It gives me helpful
Tips and strengthens my faith as I begin
To search out what God is placing in my heart for that day that week or even preparing to minister to the woman .thank you for the opportunity to win
i would love this bible has i am looking for a bible that a good study bible
i really am struggling with my faith right now and really need a good study to help me .
study bible that is
Im real big on topical studies and for me, the study notes in these topical studies gives me the additional understanding I need not only for context but for life purposes. This is a gorgeous bible, thank you for offering it. <3
Love, love, love my study Bibles! I have several different ones, all of which I use for reference and deeper understanding, but I don’t have a NKJV study Bible. I’d love to add it to my library! (I also shared on Twitter & FB.)
I don’t own a study Bible per se but I LOVE The Message version of the Bible. Like you said, you want to trust your sources, and I believe the author of the message is spot on. I love reading the intros to each chapter. I learn more in those few paragraphs than I did in attending a Christian school. As I life coach myself I’m always asking questions and looking for the deeper meaning. “What do you want me to learn?” is often how I start put my God time. This study Bible could be a gateway into greater insights.
I wanted to know not just what scripture said but what it meant. And even more than that, I wanted to know what I was expected to do about what it meant. < I love this!
I love study bibles!. They've been especially useful in helping me develop my Sunday school lessons!
I would love to use this Bible to learn more about my Lord. Then I can pass what I learn on to my Son’s and Grandchildren . Thank you for the Chance to win it.
My parents owned a Christian bookstore growing up and my most treasured memory is of my dad sharing with customers how to use the various study bibles. I love the Word as it is a gateway into the presence of God!
There are many ways to view a passage of scripture. We can view the historical aspect, the literary aspect, the spiritual aspect, the practical aspect, and many other aspects. I have always wanted to have a well rounded view of the scriptures, not only for apologetic reasons, but so that I am blessed to my fullest potential through my studies of God’s Word. A study Bible for women is a Bible I know will greatly bless me in my journey as a Christian woman. As women, we obviously face different challenges in life than men. A study Bible designed by Godly women for my needs, my daily struggles, and my deepest desires is a treasure filled with more blessings and direction for daily living than I could imagine.
Would love a new study Bible. I just joined a new church and this would really open the way to spark conversations with some of the women there.
Congratulations friend . . .you were the winner chosen by random number. Please message us your mailing address.
We pray God’s hand on you as you step into His word with this beautiful study Bible. May you be richly blessed.
A study bible will help provide me a chance to dig deeper in my faith. I am trying to go deeper in my faith.
I’ve never actually owned a real study bible….but I’d love to!
Trying to dig deeper and be more involved in women’s ministries. What a beautiful way to be equipped!
I would use the study bible to help me understand God’s word and apply it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I would use the study bible to help me understand God’s word and apply it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I start with a study Bible, and research verses, context, people, locations, and even original words. I’m kind of geeky about it. 🙂
I tend to use different versions but I would love an actual study Bible! Shared on fb
To Be honest I don’t like to read. The reason I do is to dig deeper in Gods word, so kinda like a kid I like to get study resources to grab my attention and help me to stay focused. This one looks like something I could use! Thanks and God bless!
I do not have a study book. Everyday I read the bible, I have s note book and pen. I read and as I read I write down notes, I write done questions and I write down prayers. I continue to read and talk with God. I ask him questions. Each time I read my questions are answered and it just lead to more conversation with our God. I love it and enjoy it. I just want to keep reading and talking. I have no one to study the word with so God makes himself available for me and I am thankful.
Please consider me for the study bible, I think the time is right for me to rediscover the word of God.
I would love to win this Study Bible to use for my daily devotions,
A study bible definitely helps you further understanding the scriptures.
I love to read a passage in different versions to help me understand the text. One of my Bibles is a women’s devotional Bible and I do have a Jewish study bible that helps me connect to our Jewish heritage as believers. However, I’d really like a study Bible that helps me get the context behind what was said as if I was there when it was spoken! I hope your study Bible will help me with that!
I’m a word picture person and I want to visualize things. Knowing what the words mean or the setting of a scene helps things make more sense.
Looking forward to having a study Bible that actually helps me study but doesn’t make me overwhelmed. I love God’s word and a study Bible would give me insight that will help me go deeper for myself and as I share God’s word with others and especially my Sunday school class. I want God’s word to come alive for all of us!
I’ve never had a study bible. I think it would help me dig deeper and gain better perspective. Thank you for the opportunity.
Very rarely will you see me just sit down abd read the Bible. Like you, I have a ton of studies and for some reason, prefer them. This Bible sounds amazing though and may be the answer to my prayers. Thanks for sharing! 💜
My study bibles encourage me to linger and dig deeper into text that I might otherwise skim over.
Don’t have a study Bible and would love to use it for understanding the context of the passages I study. We use the NKJV in our church, and the idea of having one in that translation is exciting and the color WOW! 🙂
Shared on a variety of media outlets, too. 🙂
Entering to win the Bible. Thanks for this chance to win a beautiful and awesome Bible! 🙂
I would love a study Bible so that I can learn to have a deeper understanding of what I’m reading when I read the Bible. I think it would help me understand so much more than I do now.
I’ve never owned a study Bible, but am looking for a way to deepen my quiet times
Would love this for a fast bible study a study a mother of three and very busy lifestyle this would be awesome ! And it’s prettybut need I mention that ?! Thanks for the chance ❤️
I would love to have this Bible to give to my sister!!!
Thank you for sharing your hunger for understanding God’s Truth. Your description of this Study Bible causes me to want one RIGHT NOW! I usually have a thesaurus nearby and a bible dictionary and am also using google to gain full understanding, reading Blue Letter Bible’s many translations and study helps. I would love to have a copy of this and will delight in sharing about his on social media. Thank you!
I love a study Bible as it always brings a fresh insight and deeper understanding. Sharing on Twitter and FB too. Thank you for the chance!
My current study Bible is separated from it’s binding. I have loved it long and well. One of my favorite sections of the study Bible is the Concordance in the back. I use it all the time especially when I’m writing.
God bless you, Janis
Commenting on Twitter and Facebook later.