I have had the opportunity to be part of several women’s Bible studies and accountability groups.
In the beginning years of parenthood, I clung to these groups for social reasons. These groups have lead me to some of my dearest friends. The girls that I text when I need encouragement, advice, and prayer.
I also attended the groups because I knew without the accountability my Bible would only be pulled of the shelf on Sunday morning and Wednesday nights. But through the hills and valleys of life, I have learned that the Bible is more than a book to read during church and when Women’s Ministry in is session. I have learned the Word is alive and active and the Holy Spirit is ready to speak words of hope, peace, and love into my heart each time I open it.
Before we were even married, my husband gave me a The Woman’s Study Bible
I have been shocked to see how many mommas don’t have a Bible. While many have a “family” Bible, so many lack a personal Bible that is directed just to women and helping them dive deeper into the Word. So, I contacted some of my favorite publishers to see what is available.
I received five Bibles. Three Bibles are devotional Bibles and two are study Bibles. Let me explain the difference.
Devotional Bible – These are great for new Christians because daily devotionals are placed among the Scripture. Instead of having to find a devotional to lead your quiet time, you can simply grab your Bible. As you flip through the Bible, you will see pages dedicated for quiet time use. At the end of each reading, a page number is provided to find the next devotion. Very little background information is given for each book of the Bible and verse. You can see in the image below the devotional on the left and scripture on the right.
NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women: Insights for Everyday Life
If you are fan of Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst, then you will enjoy this devotional Bible containing daily readings from Lysa and her team. Each devotional will “encourage and inspire” you as a woman.
NIV Women’s Devotional Bible
This Bible contains 260 devotions for each weekday of the year and 52 weekend devos. There are also book introductions, reading plans, and a subject index. The devotions remind me of Our Daily Bread devotions format (if you are familiar with them). Each contains a portion of scripture to read, a reading to make the scripture personal, a quote, and reflection questions.
Unlike the other two, this devo Bible isn’t necessarily geared toward women. “The devotional readings in this Bible serves as a tour guide through all the Scripture.” This Bible is cool because it helps you read straight through the Bible. I suggest a similar Bible (The Daily Walk Bible) in my ebook. Reading from Genesis to Revelation was a turning point in my quiet time and understanding of the Bible. If you have not read straight through, I high suggestion a one of these Bibles as they give insight into the daily reading and break the reading into manageable sections.
Study Bible – These Bibles help the reader better understand the Word, dig deep, and provide tools to encourage the reader to truly study the Word; not take it for surface value. (My Bible, mentioned above, is a study Bible.) They typically include cross-referencing system to allow the reader to look at similar verses, and footnotes that assist the reader in understanding. Also included are alternative translations, explanation of the Greek and Hebrew terms, and background and culture understanding.
The Ryrie ESV Study Bible Hardback Red Letter
I remember as a child when my mom received a Ryrie Study Bible for Christmas. My Dad had wrapped it in a very large box along with small empty boxes to stump my mom. My Pastor highly suggested this study Bible. The plethora of information provided makes it obvious why he did. (Unfortunately, this Bible is not part of the giveaway.)
NIV First-Century Study Bible: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
My husband was standing beside me as I pulled this Bible out of its box. We both gasped. This deep pink leather Bible is bea-u-ti-ful. Gorgeous. The picture below doesn’t do it justice but the pages include a beautiful brown, tapered coloring and soft colored images. I immediately wanted it for myself (until I remembered all of the notes that I have in my current Bible).
The Bible contains “Day in the Life” articles to help you understand the world of Bible times, book introductions, bottom of the page notes, textural articles to tackle tough Biblical topics, and word studies. Colored maps, charts, photos, and illustrations are also included. (Did I mention that this is a beautiful Bible?)
My only qualm with both of these study Bibles is that they have filled each page with content leaving no space for writing notes. Obviously this a big deal to me, but may not be for everyone.
While I have loved all of the Thanks-Giveaways, being able to give away some Bibles makes my heart smile. If you do not have a Bible, I pray that you will enter so that I can provide you with a way to study God’s Word. If you are happy with the Bible that you currently own, I would ask you to enter in faith that God will provide you with a name of someone whom you can give the Bible too.
Giveaway:
Enter: To enter to win one of the Zondervan Bibles listed above, leave a comment with your first name and last initial on this post along with how you would use one of these Bibles.
This post contains affiliate links.
Read my ebook – A Quiet Time, Worth the Time.
Thank you to Moody Publishing and Zondervan Publishing for allowing me to review and give away these Bibles.
KYLIE RYAN. I would love one of these Bibles but I wouldn't care which one. They are both such wonderful additions that I can use in Bible study. If I won one of these Bibles I think I would start a new Bible Journey. I would do more Bible study with my children more than anyone else because we are called to teach our children the way of the Lord and I think one of these Bible would help me do just that. Every mother needs one.
Thank you for this opportunity to win one of these beautiful Bibles and God bless the women and the mothers who are lucky to receive them.
Kimberly W. I would do self guided Bible studies. (I cling to Bible study groups like you mentioned you did).
Anaiah Y.- If I won one of the study Bibles, I would learn to love and trust in God even more. Taking time to get to know Him on my own, on a deeper level, always produces amazing results.
Amanda B – I have been reading the bible cover to cover for the last three years but have been doing this at face value and being that I am a new Christian, have had little understanding on how to delve deeper into his word. I feel that the Holy Spirit has been leading me to do more than just scratch the surface. If I won, I would be able to do just that.
Emily M
If I were to win one of these bibles I would share it with my best friend. She has had a hard couple of months and we would both benefit from some self guided study to strengthen our faith and give us encouragement for whats to come.
Have a blessed day everyone!
I would love to win one of these to start a new year off! It would be great to use for daily devotions.
Sarah K – I would use the bible for my personal study. It's always nice to have a fresh bible and devotional!
Alex W- I would use this as my own study bible. My husband has a study bible I always borrow. So I would love to have my own that I could mark up!
Shauna M. I would love one of theses bibles to read/study in my quiet time. I have a lot of questions!
Karley F. I have been longing to get into the Bibleore, but struggling about where to start. One of these would be a great help for that!
Tara W- I would love to have a new bible! I would use it when working on my bible study lessons.
Heather L. I have a friend who I know only through a moms group on Facebook – she's been messaging me asking me questions about God and Jesus – a bible is on my list to buy her for Christmas – I just haven't done it yet!!! She has no believers around her – please pray for me as I talk to her!!!
Melissa Rivas – I NEED a new bible! Lol ive had my bible since i was 13 years old, it was given to me by my youth leader at the time. Now that im an adult, married with kids, i need a new bible because the one i have is for teen girls and eveytime i go to look to buy one i get so overwhelemed with the different choices. I know eventually i will get a new bible but it has been a pressing issue this year so i would love to get the chance to win a womens devotional one. =]
Michelle G-I would love to win a new Bible to learn and have some help comprehending the word of God. I have a hard time reading my King James version because it is hard to understand. I would love the helpful commentary!!
Maria S. I need a new bible! The one I have is a teenager study bible. I'm a newly SAHM, so I need that deep devotional time with God. I need to grow from where I've been stuck and having a women's bible will give me a better opportunity instead of getting on the computer every morning and night and looking for devotionals. Thank you for the chance to win a bible!
Jessica B. If I had one of these bibles I would love the RYRIE!! I have wanted one of these bibles ever since I learned that Elizabeth George has used this in all her years of studying (and has recently submitted it with all her notes to a publisher). I admire Ms. George for her wisdom and as a Christian woman. I would make notes just like Elizabeth , just like you. More than anything I love God's word and learning something new every day in it!! Thank you!
Danielle B. If I won one of these books I would use it to guide my quiet time and help me to be more committed to not missing a day!
Priti F. Would love a woman-directed bible. Will help to recommit to quiet time.
Olga A. – If I won one of these Bibles I would start a more in depth bible study. Mine is lovingly used and a new one would be great. A little more insight into scripture is always good and I'm a huge fan of combining a daily devotional with daily Bible reading. Thank you Heidi for all these great giveaways!
Dalcie T. I would use the Bible to grow in the Lords word, so that I could raise my children to love and follow Jesus.
I would just like to have my own womans' bible. We have a family one, bibles for the childrens homeschooling. Quite honestly some days the only bible reading I do is when teaching/working with the kids. I would love to have my own, it might be the swift kick I need to read my bible more diligently.
Noel C. If I won one of these Bibles, I would spend more time with God. I don't spend nearly enough time in the Word, and would love to spend more!
Charity J. – If i won, I'd continue doing personal bible study. Searching the scriptures is a great way to grow closer to God, along with prayer of course. Working on a closer relationship with God. 🙂
Lindsey R. – I would love to have the devotional Bible for women. I know it would be the encouragement I need to overcome the struggles of knowing what to read during a devotional.
Helena H.
I would love to lead a Bible Study in our international MOPS group. We have been meeting for three years now but this would take things to the next level. I would feel more equipped for such a task.
Brandi T. If I won one of these Bibles I would begin a new journey in exploring God's word. I'm a teacher and I enjoy the beginning of the school year with newly sharpened pencils and a new notebook with nothing written in it. I always get excited at the beginning of the school year, because I get to start fresh after reflecting on the previous year. A new Bible would be a fresh start and a new beginning on my journey to learn more about God and become closer to God.
Amanda I. If I won one of these Bibles I would use it to study for my sunday school class. I teach high schoolers (: I have been wanting the ryrie study Bible for a while(its on my Christmas list)!!!
Elizabeth S. I would love to have one of the devotional bibles. I am in process of becoming co/coordinator of our local mops. I think it would be very helpful in guidance.
Karis M. I would love to win the NIV First-Century Study Bible. I already have a good devotional Bible, but what I'm really missing in it is the maps and historical context. So many times, reading through both the Old and New Testaments, I've wished I had something like this to look at for context. Thanks for offering this wonderful giveaway.
Meredith S. If I won one of these Bibles I would be encouraged to do more of my own self-guided Bible study instead of relying on pre-printed studies.
Charity R If I won one of these bibles I would use it for my daily reading. I have a small personal bible but not one geared toward women.