Life Application Study Bible NIV

It's been said that many people don't understand the Bible because they don't read it. And, they don't read it because, let's be honest, there's much in it that's difficult to understand (so you get into a bit of a cycle here-- it's hard, so you don't read, so you don't understand, so it's hard, so you...).

That's where this book enters the scene... And, here's how it's helped me (this was the first copy of the Bible I bought AND actually read-- I'm still working on the understanding it part-- and the "living it out" part even more).

First, the NIV text is very readable (moreso than King James and even some of the other modern translations). It reads a lot like you might talk. You can understand what it's saying, then, without weeding through the "thee's" and "shalts" and "bidsts" etc... In my opinion, a more readable translation makes it more enjoyable to read, makes it more likely that you will read... and insures that you comprehend more as you do read.

Second, the Life Application Bible provide great information in the margines (including notes for just about every verse, personal profiles of many people in the bible, and small write-ups on other relevant topics and events). You can read biographies about people you are meeting in the stories, view the maps to see where they are where they've been, and make quick personal applications. That, in effect, is what this Bible is about-- both reading and comprehending the Word of God so that you can live it out (the hard part).

If you buy this Bible (any Life Application would be like this, as well, it would just be a different translation) you will, in all seriousness, have a commentary, small Bible dictionary, and a few maps and biographies with you.

If you're searching for a study Bible, or a first "adult" Bible... go ahead and get this one. If you already have an NIV version, get the Life Application version of the NASB, or NKJV...