Book Review :: NIV Bible for Teen Guys

The NIV Bible for Teen Guys is a Bible from Zondervan, specially designed for teen guys. (I received a hardcover Bible to review, but it also comes in a two imitation leather/softcover options: blue or charcoal.) The hardcover is printed with the image you see - there is no dust jacket.

The pages in the NIV Bible for Teen Guys are appealing and very easy on the eyes. It has all black text (including the words of Christ) with various golden brown accents (headings, chapter numbers, etc.), laid out in two columns. This is the NIV version of the Bible (© 1973, 1978, 1984, & 2011). The text is standard size - not large, but not extra small. It does contain some basic footnotes. There is a pretty presentation page (on glossy paper), printed with an image similar to what you see on the cover.

There is a brief, single-page introduction for each book of the Bible. Each introduction covers a few basic things about the book ("When Did This Happen?", "Who Is In This Book?", "Verses You Might Recognize", and "What's It About?").

There are 360+ devotions in the NIV Bible for Teen Guys - so you could easily use this for a yearly devotional. 

I do think it is important to point out that there is a reason this Bible is marked for "teen guys" and not just "guys" - the topics in a few of the devotions reference dating, sex, pornography, drinking, dark arts/occult etc. Whether or not you decide your guy (teen or otherwise) is ready to take on these topics is up to you, but I wanted to be sure to make it clear that these topics are addressed so that you can make an informed decision.

The devotions are placed throughout the Bible, and you can also find the devotions by looking at two indexes at the back of the Bible - one listed by topic ("Topical Index") and one listed in order of appearance ("Index of Devotions for Building Faith, Wisdom, and Strength"). The topical index is a helpful resource and will reference a devotion multiple times if it fits into multiple categories. Some of the devotions are excerpts from other books, but some appear to be exclusive to this Bible.

In addition to the devotions, there are pages devoted to 50+ men of the Bible. These are placed throughout the Bible, and you can also find them by looking at the index at the back of the Bible ("Men of the Bible Index").

There is also a Concordance (approx. 80 pages) at the back of the NIV Bible for Teen Guys. There are no maps like you might find in the back of some Bibles. 

All in all, I think that the NIV Bible for Teen Guys is a good choice for a Bible for teen guys. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through their book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV

The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV has a (full color) printed hard cover which you see in the cover image.

The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV is the New International Reader's Version (NIrV) version of the Bible (© 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014). The NIrV is a simplified version of the NIV, written at approximately a 3rd grade reading level. The NIrV is composed of smaller, easy-to-understand words in shorter sentences than the traditional NIV.

The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV has all black text (including the words of Christ), and is laid out in two columns. The text is a little larger than standard size (but I wouldn't consider it "large print"), making this easier to read for young ones. There are no footnotes. There is a full-color presentation page insert with a place on the back of the page for the child to record the occasion in their own way.

There is a brief (1/2 page) introduction for each book of the Bible. Each introduction covers a few basic ideas about the book as well as an outline of the book's contents.

As you might expect, you will see the typical Beginner's Bible style art throughout The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV. There are 9 full-color inserts depicting the following stories:

- Creation

- Noah and the Animals

- God's Promise to Abraham

- Moses Parts the Red Sea

- Joshua and the Battle of Jericho

- Samuel Hears God Calling

- Elijah is Taken Up to Heaven

- David the Shepherd Boy

- Jonah and the Big Fish

- Baby Jesus Is Born

- Jesus as a Boy in the Temple

- Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

- Jesus and the Children

- Jesus Enters Jerusalem

- Jesus Dies on the Cross

- Jesus Has Risen

- Peter Heals the Lame Beggar

- Jesus Is Coming Back 

At the back of The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV, you will find a 12 page "Dictionary" and a checklist of "150 Famous Bible Stories".

I'd say The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV is probably best for young kids - starting as early as age 5 or 6 (if they are reading) and up to age 8 or so. The only reason I might not suggest it for older children is the styling may look a bit young. 

All in all, I think The Beginner's Bible Holy Bible, NIrV is a nice choice for a Bible for a young reader in your life. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through their book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: NKJV Teen Study Bible

The NKJV Teen Study Bible is a Bible from Zondervan, specially designed for teens. The hardcover is printed with the image you see - there is no dust jacket.

The pages in the NKJV Teen Study Bible are appealing and very easy on the eyes. I especially appreciate the easily readable font. It has all black text (including the words of Christ) with various blue accents (headings, chapter numbers, etc.), laid out in two columns. This is the NKJV version of the Bible (© 1982). The text is standard size - not large, but not extra small. It does contain some basic footnotes. There is a nice presentation page (on glossy paper), printed with an image similar to what you see on the cover.

There is a brief, single-page introduction for each book of the Bible. Each introduction covers a few basic things about the book, some "headlines" (written newspaper-style), a short preview list, and then some information about world events that were taking place at the time the book was written.

Besides the book introductions, there are several special features that are placed throughout the NKJV Teen Study Bible. The special features really help put practical application to the ideas found in Scripture. I would consider this more of a practical application Bible than a study Bible.
Here are the feature types and a quick description of each:
- We Believe (short studies on the phrases from the Apostles' Creed)
- Panorama (main theme of the book)
- To The Point (frank, Scriptural explanations of topics that may come up in life)
- Dear Jordan (advice column style questions and answers with modern day topics)
- Instant Access (practical applications for Biblical ideas)
- Bible Promises (highlighted verses)
- Q&A (questions & answers)

I do think it is important to point out that there is a reason this Bible is marked for teens - the topics in a few of the features reference dating, sex, pornography, smoking, dark arts/occult etc. Whether or not you decide your child (teen or otherwise) is ready to take on these topics is up to you, but I wanted to be sure to make it clear that these topics are addressed so that you can make an informed decision. These features are placed throughout the Bible, and you can find the index listing all of the topics at the back of the Bible in the "Teen Life Index".

There are a few study helps at the back of the NKJV Teen Study Bible such as: a Table of Weights and Measures, "What Do I Read Today?" (reading plan ideas and Bible chart with check boxes), "Bible Truth Index", and "Teen Life Index". There are some full-color maps as well. 

All in all, I think that the NKJV Teen Study Bible is a good choice for a Bible for teens. 

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through their book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

Book Review :: God's Little Lambs Bible Stories by Julie Stiegemeyer, illustrated by Qin Leng

God's Little Lambs Bible Stories is a padded hardcover storybook with a presentation page that makes it perfect for gift giving. 

The God's Little Lambs Bible Stories includes a total of 35 stories (17 from the Old Testament and 18 from the New Testament) spanning between 4 and 6 pages per story. The stories are on full-color illustrated pages. The illustrator's unique style adds to the stories. The stories are a good length - long enough to be descriptive, but short enough to be able to hold the attention of little ones. In my opinion, some of the stories could use more detail to round out the picture of what happened. For example, the story of Joseph talks about him going to Egypt, and then jumps to him talking to the king about his dreams with very little explanation. That is just a small issue I have with a cute storybook, though, and it won't stop me from reading it to my little one.

If you are looking for a Bible storybook, you may want to consider God's Little Lambs Bible Stories.

FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through their book review bloggers program. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.