3 Steps To Choose Your Study Bible

📚 3 Steps to Choose Your Study Bible

In February of this year, I had the pleasure of sitting beside my sister in Christ, Kennedy, during Sunday service. As always, our pastor, Dr. Darrell Hall, asked us to open our Bibles in preparation for the sermon. Since I work in the IT field, my go-to for reading and taking notes is always a digital device. Naturally, I pulled out my iPhone, ready to scroll through scripture. But then, Kennedy pulled out a physical copy of the Word.

"If you haven’t read the whole Bible for yourself, how do you know what’s in it?"  Dr. Darrell Hall

That hit me. Hard. I’ve read the Bible… or at least, I thought I had.

See, true reading means sitting down, taking notes, and absorbing what’s written. And as mature as I consider myself in my faith, there’s still so much I don’t know, want to know, and need to understand better. That’s when I realized I needed to buy a physical Bible in a translation that best suited my journey. Here are the three steps I took to do just that:

1️⃣ Explore the Translations

Bible translations can be a deep topic, but the best way to find one that fits you is to try them out. Apps like YouVersion Bible App, Bible Gateway, and Blue Letter Bible are great for comparing translations side by side.

Here are a few examples;

• ESV (English Standard Version) – Word-for-word accuracy, great for deep study.
• NIV (New International Version) – Easy to understand, balances readability & accuracy.
• NLT (New Living Translation) – Conversational and smooth to read.
• KJV (King James Version) – Classic and poetic but can be difficult for modern readers.

2️⃣ Evaluate Your Note-Taking Strategy

Taking notes during Bible study isn’t just about jotting things down—it’s about creating a resource you can return to for reflection and growth. Without notes, it’s easy for insights to go in one ear and out the other.

Going back to Kennedy—she uses a journal Bible, and I think that’s dope. It allows her to read scripture, write her thoughts beside it, and reflect in real time. For years, I took notes digitally, which was convenient, but also easily lost in the sea of notifications, apps, and distractions on my phone. Your Bible pages won’t hit you with a text, an email, or a social media update.

If you’re serious about growing in the Word, consider a method that helps you retain what you learn. Whether it’s a journal Bible, a separate notebook, or even writing in the margins, make sure your note-taking serves as a tool for deeper understanding.

3️⃣ Ask a Peer

Your Kingdom circle is more than just your friend group—it’s a resource for your journey in the Word. Surrounding yourself with people who actively study scripture will encourage you to dig deeper and ask questions.

Sometimes, one translation isn’t enough to fully grasp the meaning of a passage. Your circle should be filled with people who are so hungry for the Word that they can recommend commentaries, context, and additional translations to help you gain clarity. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations or insights—they might just point you to a perspective you hadn’t considered.

⏫Ready to Level Up Your Bible Study?

With these three steps, I pray you feel encouraged to find the study Bible that’s right for you. Don’t let the Bible just be a reference point for keeping up in Sunday service—make it your daily guide Between Sundays.

Speaking of that, if you haven’t already, consider adding Between Sundays to your collection of spiritual tools. Between Sundays is my devotional series designed to be relatable, practical, and deeply rooted in scripture to help you grow in your faith day by day.

💡 What’s your next step? Crack open your Bible, take some notes, and let’s grow together Between Sundays.

Written by: Keyauri “Key” Kendrick

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