The Personal Growth Study Bible

Experiencing God's Life-Changing Power

Thomas Nelson Publishers

ISBN 0-8407-0827-0 (hardcover) $39.99
ISBN 0-8407-0835-1 (black leather) $59.99
ISBN 0-8407-0831-9 (burgundy leather)
ISBN 0-8407-0839-4 (blue leather)

Review by George W. Knight

A Bible to Help You Grow Personally, Spiritually

If you are really serious about your own personal growth and development, then The Personal Growth Study Bible is worth your consideration. This new Bible is designed to help you grow spiritually by applying the truths of the Bible to your daily life--where you actually live and work each day.

This Bible is actually not a study Bible in the traditional sense. Most study Bibles are heavy on the academic side with features such as maps, concordances, cross-references, introductions to books in the Bible, and discussions of the background, culture, language, and authorship of the Bible. These features are designed to give you a deeper understanding of the Bible and its setting.

By contrast, The Personal Growth Study Bible provides you with scores of eight-week reading plans at the front to help you take a needs-centered approach to your Bible reading and meditation. Designed with the busy mid-life audience in mind, the biblical helps recognize that time for serious Bible study is often hard to find.

Hundreds of comments on key Bible passages are scattered throughout the text of this Bible. Various personal Bible-reading plans are organized for the reader's convenience around these insights. As readers follow one of the recommended plans, they discover the Bible's teaching on basic topics that deal with the necessary truths for Christian growth and development.

These short and readable comments on the biblical text fall into three distinct categories. The first group consists of "FAITHbuilders." These truths help readers get to know God better and grow in their personal relationship with Him. Other comments are "LOVElinks." These challenge readers to enrich their personal relationships with spouses, children, parents, and friends. Finally, there are comments called "INsights." These are designed to help readers nurture their inner selves and to grow as persons of character and integrity.

Almost every book of the Bible has a reading plan organized around these three particular growth needs of believers. It's a great way to do regular and systematic reading of the Bible while gleaning insights for Christian growth and daily living at the same time.

The Personal Growth Study Bible is designed for quick and easy reading and understanding. The comments on the biblical text are superb. Here's one good example of a "LOVElink" (relationship-building) truth on Abraham's response to Lot's attempt to claim the best land for himself (see Gen. 13:1-9).

"Abraham, as the elder of the family, had well-established rights when his herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen began to quarrel. But did Abraham take full advantage of those rights? No. . . . He surrendered his right of first choice of land to demonstrate love and good will. These are good principles for us to put into practice. When we are in the midst of a disagreement, we can decide to stop quarreling. We can choose to value relationships more than winning."

An extensive index also adds to its usability. For example, a reader looking for insights on "forgiveness" would find a list of all the biblical texts and comments on this theme by turning to this handy section of the Bible.

The translation used in this new study Bible is the clear and readable New King James Version. Other features that make it a joy to read and use are the large typeface, generous white space, and copious subheadings within the text.