How to Choose the Right Study Bible

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).

There are many wonderful ways to enjoy God’s Word.

You can download the YouVersion app and choose from a large library of Bible reading plans. This free service is an amazing gift to anyone wanting to learn the Bible.

You can redeem your commute or workout by listening to an audio Bible.

You can buy yourself or someone you care for a nice study Bible. It was this very gift that changed my life. I became a Christian reading the leather study Bible that my now wife Grace gave to me back in 1989. Since that day, we have given away many study Bibles to our children, family and friends.

You would be well served to make sure that you and your close family and friends have a good study Bible. When shopping for one, here are some helpful tips:

1. While purchasing a study Bible can be quite expensive, every serious student of the Bible should consider investing in at least one Bible with some helps (footnotes, cross-references and so on) and room for their notes.
2. When buying a Bible, the general rule is that the more money you spend, the better the quality of paper, binding and leather you will receive. Since you want your Bible to last a long time, investing up front is wise.
3. Because your primary Bible will be filled with notes and become very familiar to you, it is wise to invest in a good Bible so that it lasts. This will enable you to spend considerable time reading it, memorizing it, studying it and meditating upon it as God the Holy Spirit reveals to you the person and work of Jesus on every page. There is a God who made you, knows you, loves you, longs to forgive you, help you, speak to you, hear from you and be with you forever.
4. Lastly, feel free to write in, highlight and mark up your Bible. It is a tool that God wants you to interact with and return to regularly.

Is there any book or topic in the Bible that you are interested in reading? {eoa}

Mark Driscoll is a Jesus-following, mission-leading, church-serving, people-loving, Bible-preaching pastor and the author of many books, including Spirit-Filled Jesus, which you can preorder here. He currently pastors The Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his family. For all of pastor Mark Driscoll’s Bible teaching, please visit markdriscoll.org or download the app.

Click here to get a free devotional e-book from Pastor Mark Driscoll.