Bible Translations
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. When we read the Bible in English, we are reading a translation. There are many good translations, but here are a few that are especially good at balancing accuracy with readability.
New International Version (NIV)
- Translation most often used at South Ridge during worship services, teaching, and groups.
- Language is easy to understand for readers of all ages
- Gender-accurate language (Example: updating “man” to “humanity” in many areas and “brothers” to “brothers and sisters” in areas where the context intends both.)
- Number one best-selling Bible in 2022
English Standard Version (ESV)
- Literal language
- Poetic phrasing
- Extensive footnotes and references to serve the reader in seeking clarity
- Number two best-selling Bible in 2022
- Built from the RSV, so much of the language is more traditional than modern, making it less readable than other translations
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- Very literal language
- In-depth footnotes
- Due to literal word-for-word translation from Greek and Hebrew, some phrases don’t flow as smoothly in English as other translations.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
- Highly readable
- Extensive footnotes and references to serve the reader in seeking clarity
- Includes notes and new findings from recently discovered manuscripts
- In the sweet spot between formal and dynamic language
- Gender-accurate language (Example: updating “man” to “humanity” in many areas and “brothers” to “brothers and sisters” in areas where the context intends both.)
Study Bibles
Because the Bible was written in the Ancient Near East, its cultural context is often foreign to us and difficult for us to understand. A Bible with good study notes can be helpful in understanding the world in which the Scriptures were written so that we can apply them well to our own lives and world. Here are study Bible recommendations.
NIV Study Bible
NIV Starting Place Study Bible
ESV Study Bible
CSB Study Bible
Bible Reading Plans
Regular Bible reading forms Christians. Whether we read through the Bible every year or take several to make it through, the difference between being a regular Bible reader and someone who simply wants to be one is having a plan. Knowing what you should read next is better than wondering where to begin and how far to go.
Here are some reading plans that may be helpful.
Melissa Kruger’s favorite Bible reading plan allows flexibility so that if you’re overloaded you can skip a day or two and not fall behind. It, too, has a free PDF to check off as you work through the canon in a year. The Old Testament readings are roughly chronological, with daily New Testament readings as well.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s reading plan walks through the entire Bible in a year (twice through the New Testament and Psalms) and readings from different sections of Scripture each day. Download the PDF reading plan to keep in your Bible. You can sign up for a daily newsletter with Don Carson’s devotional reflections along with supporting information. There’s also a daily devotional podcast (Apple | RSS | Stitcher) with readings from Carson’s For the Love of God (vol. 1) that follows along with the plan.
New believers and those new to daily Bible reading may find the Navigators’ 5x5x5 New Testament Bible Reading Plan a way to establish a new habit and get deeper into the text. The plan calls for reading one chapter each day (about five minutes), five days a week, and recommends five different ways to understand and apply the text.
This “straight through” method of reading the Bible is simply to move straight through the Bible in a year. Every day of the year, read three or four chapters. Use use a simple checklist as a bookmark to track your progress. Use this plan with different translations, and the reading experience will get more rewarding every year.
Story of Scripture
Too often, Bible study is myopically focused on the parts (individual verses and passages), but we can best see the parts in light of the whole Story. Here are a few accessible resources that equip the readers with "the big picture" of Scripture.
The True Story of the Whole World - Goheen & Bartholomew
Remaking A Broken World - Christopher Ash
The Bible Project
BibleProject is a nonprofit, crowdfunded organization that produces 100% free Bible videos, podcasts, articles, classes, and educational Bible resources to help make the biblical story accessible to everyone everywhere.
The Story of Scripture
Developed by South Ridge’s team of Pastors and Directors, this is a basic story line of Scripture that tracks history from Creation to New Creation.
Biblical Worldview
The Universe Next Door- James Sire
The Gospel Coalition
The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Colson Center
The Colson Center exists to equip Christians with the clarity, confidence, and courage they need to live like Christians in this cultural moment.
Christianity Today
Christianity Today is a global media ministry that seeks to elevate the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God with the vision for a church more faithful to Christ and a world more drawn to Him.
Prayer
A Praying Life- Paul E. Miller
This book honestly addresses the greatest challenges related to prayer and also gives practical tools and suggestions to develop a rich, regular prayer life.
Every Moment Holy - Douglas McKelvey
This book is a book of prayers that model for us what it looks like to see and respond to God in every area of life.