What Type of Bible Should I Buy?
When it comes to choosing the right Bible we first should ask ourselves what we will primarily be using the Bible for. I use different Bibles depending on what I am using them for. Like many things in life, there are many options and each one is great (because it contains God’s Word), but the format and design of each specific Bible lend themselves to various uses.
Disclaimer: I am a big fan of the ESV Translation, so the majority of my recommendations will be ESV Bibles.
Bible Studies
Sermon Notes
Daily Reading
Devotional Reading
Children’s Bible
A side note: If you order any of these from Crossway directly do not forget to sign up for the Crossway+ membership. It is completely free but saves you at least 30% on everything.
Study Bibles
ESV Study Bible | Soft/Hard Cover | Personal Size | Large Print
ESV Concise Study Bible | Hard Cover | Economy Print
ESV Women’s Study Bible | Soft/Hard Cover
ESV Student Study Bible | Soft/Hard Cover
NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible | Various Bindings
CSB Study Bible | Soft Cover | Hard Cover | Large Print
Journaling Bibles (Note Taking)
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible | Hard/Soft Cover | Artist Series
Ideal Bible for sermon note-takers. The single-column format makes it perfect for more passage-specific note-taking.
ESV Double Column Journaling Bible | Soft/Hard Cover
Still good for sermon notes, but the double-column can make it more difficult to link the notes to the correct passage.
ESV Scripture Journals | Whole Bible | Old Testament | New Testament | Individual Books
This Bible comes as a set of individual book journals. One side has Biblical text, the other side has a lined page. Ideal for Bible studies where you’re really digging into a specific book of the Bible.
Plain Text Bibles
ESV Thinline Bible | Soft Cover | Large Print
ESV Translation of the Bible with only basic footnotes.
ESV Readers Bible | Hardcover Set | One Volume Set
This Bible comes in a set of 6 volumes. It is just the Biblical text without large and obvious chapter and verse markings.
Devotional Bibles
ESV Women’s Devotional Bible | Hard Cover
ESV Men’s Devotional Bible | Soft Cover
ESV Psalms | Soft/Hard Cover
ESV Prayer Bible | Hard Cover
Children’s Bibles
Jesus Storybook Bible | Hard Cover
Sally Lloyd-Jones invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God’s great story of salvation–and at the center of their own story too!
The Biggest Story | Hard Cover | Board Book | Storybook Bible
Kevin DeYoung leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ’s death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.