After choosing to read the Bible, choosing a Bible is the most important choice a Bible reader can make.  If you've ever been shopping for a Bible, you know that selecting a Bible for personal use can be a difficult and confusing task.  Standing in the Bible section of your local Christian bookstore, it is easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated with the available choices.  Therefore, before you go to the bookstore, do some homework. 

• Consider the various translations available.  To do this we recommend that you study the Bible Translation Guide. The Guide is provided here to help you decide on a translation that takes into consideration your personal concerns about Scripture.     
• Ask your church's educator, spiritual formation leader or pastor about the translation that he or she uses for personal use and why.  Ask for a personal recommendation. 
• Decide on extras.  Making a decision about translation is half the work.  But before you go to the bookstore consider extras that are commonly offered.  Will you want a paperback Bible, bonded leather or genuine leather (and don't forget color)?  Will you want a study Bible or a text only Bible?  Will you want it finger-indexed for easy accessibility?  Will a thematic Bible be helpful (Men's, Women's, Spiritual Formation, Disciples', or Devotional Bible are some options)?
• Consider how much you will spend.  In one way, Bibles are like cars, you can get the stripped down model or the Cadillac.  Bibles are as inexpensive as $5.00 (plain paperback version) and as expensive as $150.00 (genuine leather study Bibles with all the helps).  It helps to know what you're going to spend before being presented with the different models. 

Having considered these things will help ensure a good experience at the bookstore.  And, you'll impress the salesperson! 

One last word, don't forget to have a name placed on the Bible.  Most bookstores do this for free if you purchase the Bible from them and many will do it on the spot. It's worth the extra time. After all of this effort the last place you want your Bible to end up is in your church's lost and found!

If you have further questions about Bible selection, email Rick Bennett, Associate Coordinator for Faith Formation at rbennett@thefellowship.info for further assistance.