Category: Bible

3 Bible Reading Plans for 2018

12/31/2017

The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible was released on November 1, 2017

Reading Scripture is a must for Christian discipleship and growth. This is a non-negotiable for every believer. I was raised on the NIV Bible, switched to the HCSB in 2011, and switched again to the CSB in 2017. There are more options than ever for studying Scripture, every type of Bible, every type of reading plan. Here are three CSB options to consider in 2018:

1). The CSB Disciple's Study Bible - this features the Foundations 260 Reading Plan developed by Dr. Robby Gallaty at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. This is a new Bible, it was released on November 15, 2017 - learn more about it here.

2). She Reads Truth - this is also in the CSB - a Scripture reading movement for women developed with the hashtag: #SheReadsTruth - the Bible has a one-year Bible reading plan. It's also a new Bible, released on April 15, 2017 - learn more about it here.

3). The CSB Study Bible - this is the Bible I use for study. I was a fan of the HCSB before this one was released. There are two Bible reading plans in the back of this great resource - the first is a 3-year Bible reading plan that takes the reader through the entire Scripture over a 3-year period. The second is called, "Daily Bread," which is one-year reading plan that covers the Old Testament once, and the New Testament twice in one year. This was released on May 15, 2017 - learn more about it here.

Bonus: The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible also came out this year from LifeWay - outstanding resource from the great 19th century British pastor, Charles Spurgeon. Unfortunately, this new Bible doesn't have a Bible reading plan - learn more about it here.

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What We Can Learn From Martin Luther

10/31/2017

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500 years ago today, an Augustinian monk in Wittenberg, Germany nailed 95 theses to the door at All Saints' Church. This act of defiance was the beginning point of the Protestant Reformation.

What can we learn from this event today? Why does Martin Luther matter?

1). Luther reminds us the "church" can err. The Roman Catholic Church was selling indulgences - they had drifted away from the Scriptures. If it happened back then, it can happen today.

2). On January 3, 1521 Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. He was warned of his writings and views, and he refused to recant them. The word "Protestant" comes from the word, "Protest." All Protestant churches are in essence a "Protest" church of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. When he nailed his theses to the door four years earlier, he probably didn't intend to begin a new branch of Christianity and be removed from the Catholic Church.

The two main doctrines Protestants reject from the Reformation to today are papal supremacy and the sacraments. The doctrine of salvation reemerged as faith alone - by rejecting the sacraments of salvation the Catholic Church taught, Luther began the greatest revival in Christian history. Luther's rejection led to salvation.

3). Luther translated the Bible into German, the language of the people. The common people in Germany during the 16th century, did not know Latin. Luther translated the Bible into German and used the newly invented printing press to print mass copies. Regular Joe and Jane all of a sudden were able to read the Scriptures for themselves. They also were able to "Protest" the Catholic Church with their own Bible. Finally the Bible began to come to every home.

Today, the language of the people is mobile internet - if they can't read it from their hand, they don't read it.

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3 Study Bibles that Should Be on Your Shelf

11/24/2012

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If you're serious about treasuring God's Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11), a good study Bible can help. I use all 3 of these for devotional, sermon, and teaching preparation. Study Bibles have helped me learn God's Word more than any other resource. Here are 3 you need to own:

HCSB Study Bible - this is my favorite Bible translation and study Bible. First Baptist Moreland gives these as gifts and if you fix my car, I'll give you one. The study notes aren't as thorough as the NIV Study Bible, but are outstanding at providing the text in the overall biblical narrative.

ESV Study Bible - this study Bible contains so much info, I still haven't finished learning what's in it. The articles in the back are books in themselves. Even if you don't use the ESV (I don't), you still need to own this resource.

NIV Study Bible - I was saved and raised on this Bible. I believe it has the best study notes of all, it doesn't have the articles and features as the first two. This has been the #1 study Bible for 20 years! I especially love and use the cross reference system.

NKJV Study Bible - a rising star - Its really doesn't have anything the first 3 don't already have. Uses the Strong's numbering system if you use it.

Apologetics Study Bible - not in the Big 3 - but an awesome resource to own. More people want to borrow this Bible from me than any other. The articles and twisted Scripture references share insights to how people misuse God's Word. Parents should give this to their college students.

Need a Bible for your phone? YouVersion Bible App - I use this for my iPhone and have been impressed with all the translations and ease of use - plus it's free!

This came out last month...The Gaither Homecoming Bible - wow, I want someone to buy this for me...

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Which Bible Should you Buy your Preteen or Teenager?

11/22/2012

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Is Santa bringing your teenager a new Xbox 360? Tomorrow is Black Friday, aka Iron Bowl Eve in Alabama - which is an outstanding day to find a good deal on a new Bible for your preteen.

Here are 4 study Bibles for Santa to consider:

Apologetics Study Bible for Students - the HCSB geared for teenagers. This is the Bible First Baptist Moreland gives to our graduating seniors and the first choice I and our minister of students recommend for parents to buy their middle and high schoolers. When a teacher questions the scientific support of God or the reliability of Scripture - this Bible offers a solid response.

ESV Student Study Bible - this is the condensed and student geared version of the incredible ESV Study Bible. This Bible came out in July 2012 and our minister of students gave one away on a Wednesday night - I wish I had been downstairs to win. This Bible is mainly for high schoolers.

NIV Teen Study Bible - this is my favorite Bible for Preteens (5th & 6th graders). It's a little young for high schoolers - Zondervan publishes a Teen Girls and Teen Boys edition as well. All 3 of these are great for preteens/middle schoolers.

NIV Student Bible - this is the all-time classic of student Bibles. Every teenager had one when I grew up in youth group - my wife still has hers. This Bible was the DC Talk "Jesus Freak" of Christian Music back in 1995. Every home should own one!

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Which Children's Bible Should You Buy?

11/20/2012

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Are you about to buy children Christmas presents? The most important present you could give a child is God's Word. Here are 6 Bibles you should consider giving to children:

NIrV Kids' Study Bible - A full text Bible for 1st and 2nd grade boys and girls.

NIrV Adventure Bible - our 1st grade son has this Bible and we love it. It's a full text Bible and has a blue cover for boys. Here it is for girls.

NIrV Discoverer's Bible for Early Readers - recently our Kindergarten to 2nd grade Sunday School teacher asked about a good Bible, and this is the one I suggested. It's a full text Bible.

NIrV Read with Me Bible - we've raised all our children with this picture and story Bible. This is not a full text Bible, about 100 color Bible stories. Ages 4-6 years old.

Read with Me Bible for Toddlers - every 2 and 3 year old should begin with this Bible, we did. Outstanding pictures - about 30 Bible stories.

The Action Bible - Wow! This is my favorite picture Bible for boys! It's comic book style is for 1st to 3rd graders - our 1st grade son (and myself) enjoy reading the 250 stories.

Coming in February 2013 - HCSB Illustrated Study Bible for Kids (boys)

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3 Bible Reading Plans for 2018

What We Can Learn From Martin Luther

3 Study Bibles that Should Be on Your Shelf

Which Bible Should you Buy your Preteen or Teenager?

Which Children's Bible Should You Buy?

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