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Finding the right Bible or Bible study can make such a difference in how we grow in faith. These are the resources my husband and I personally use and love. I only recommend what I have tried myself and genuinely believe in.
Bibles We Love
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible – Artist Series
This is the Bible my husband and I both use for church and study at home. The ESV (English Standard Version) is a word-for-word translation that stays true to the original text while still being readable.
I have the Ruth Chou Simons “Be Transformed” cover, and my husband has the Joshua Noom “The Lion and the Lamb” cover — both are part of the Artist Series, which features stunning artwork with many options to choose from.
What we love most is the lined journaling margins. There’s space to write notes, prayers, and key takeaways right beside the Scripture. We both use these as our “church Bibles,” so we can jot down sermon notes and reflections as we go.
ESV Scripture Journal Set – The Illumination Bible
If you’re looking for a true journaling set, this is my top pick. Each book of the Bible is printed separately (with some smaller books combined), and the Scripture appears on one side while the other page is left blank or beautifully illustrated with a key verse for note-taking.
There are two gorgeous cover styles: Ruth Chou Simons artwork and a more masculine gold foil edition, both perfect for men and women. I personally have the gold foil set (because Ruth’s set wasn’t out when I got mine), and love how it lets me dive deeper into Scripture using my own notes, prayers, and reflections.
NLT Thrive Devotional Bible (for Women)
This is one of my most cherished Bibles. The NLT (New Living Translation) is a thought-for-thought translation, true to the meaning of Scripture and written in a beautiful, poetic style. It’s perfect for reflection and understanding difficult passages in a new light.
The Thrive Devotional Bible includes devotionals, prayers, and “Letters from God” written as if He were speaking through His Word to you. This Bible has truly carried me through some of my hardest seasons, helping me connect with God on a deeply personal level.
NLT Every Man’s Bible (for Men)
This is the best-selling men’s Bible for a reason. My husband uses it for his daily reading, and it’s written with men’s unique challenges and faith journeys in mind. The devotionals and articles are biblically grounded and practical, encouraging spiritual growth in daily life and relationships.
Bible Studies
When it comes to studying the Bible, I personally prefer a book-by-book approach rather than relying exclusively on thematic studies. Reading Scripture this way helps me take in the full context of each chapter and book, rather than just small portions pulled out on their own. I do believe thematic studies are valuable, especially in certain seasons of life or when addressing specific struggles. They can also be wonderful tools for group discussions and relationship building. However, with thematic studies, we are leaning heavily on the perspective of the study’s author, instead of focusing directly on the Author of Scripture – God Himself.
When we limit ourselves to short passages instead of full chapters or entire books, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture and even risk misinterpreting what God intended. That’s why I appreciate resources that guide us through whole books of the Bible. The Daily Grace Co. offers some excellent thematic studies (for example: on Advent, discipleship, and more), but many of their resources also take you through a complete book of the Bible, which is my favorite way to study.
At the time of writing, I am not affiliated with The Daily Grace Co. I simply love their studies for their balance of price, presentation, and solid biblical content. I do have a referral link available if you’d like to check them out— it’s a win-win since it helps both of us!
Daily Grace Co. Referral Link – Save $5 on your first order →
If you’re interested in studies from other publishers, our church uses Lifeway for small groups. And, while I don’t have specific recommendations, I really do like the content in their studies. Also, I have heard great reviews from She Reads Truth, but I have not ever done any of theirs.
⚠️ A Word of Caution – The Bible in a Year (Spiral Bible)
This study is currently trending on TikTok, so you may see it popping up in different places. As far as I can tell, the Spiral Bible brand is the original author and at this point they only sell The Bible in a Year study directly from their website, in hardcover format. If you see it listed elsewhere, it may not be coming from the original source.
Also keep in mind that this is a devotional-style, thematic study and journal, rather than a chapter-by-chapter walk through the Bible. Each section focuses on a theme (like Salvation, Worship, or the Church) and draws from multiple sections of Scripture. This can be a helpful way to understand big concepts and make connections across the Bible, but it also means you’re relying on the author’s choices in how those connections are made. And Christians often interpret those connections differently; just look at the variety of denominations to choose from in our churches!
My personal recommendation is to always prioritize reading at least one chapter a day from the Bible itself, book by book, so you’re grounded in the full context. Use thematic studies as a supplement or deal with seasons of life or emotions you struggle with.
I have not personally used or seen this study, so I can’t give a firsthand review. At $40 for a 52-week guide, it seems fairly priced, especially for something designed to cover the scope of the Bible. Just approach with wisdom and discernment.
Behold – A Study of the New Testament (The Daily Grace Co.)
Behold walks you through the entire New Testament in one year, reading about five chapters each week. Each section includes daily reflections, weekly overviews, and contextual insights that help you connect Scripture to your life and deepen your understanding of Christ’s teachings.
It’s perfect for anyone wanting to explore the New Testament at a steady pace and grow in consistency with daily study. (Use my referral link to save $5 on your first order! Daily Grace Co. Referral Link – Save $5 on your first order →) ** We are also doing this study as a virtual group for women (and husbands of women in the group) on Facebook through the Going Homesteadily Gathering, and just started this week! Come join in!
The Story of Redemption – Full Bible Study (The Daily Grace Co.)
Daily Grace Co. Referral Link – Save $5 on your first order →
This four-volume study takes you through the entire Bible in one year, about 3–4 chapters per day, roughly 30 minutes of reading. It’s fast-paced but incredibly rich, helping you grasp the full story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Each day includes reflection questions and a weekly wrap-up, perfect for readers who want to understand the big picture of God’s redemptive plan and see how every part of the Bible points to Jesus.
The Study of Matthew – Going Homesteadily NT Journal
Going Homesteadily Shop Etsy Link →
This is my own digital guided journal creation, and the first in a growing series of New Testament study journals. Each volume focuses on one book of the Bible, guiding you through about five chapters per week with room for notes, memory verses, devotionals, and reflections.
The Study of Matthew Journal is designed to help you pause and reflect on what Scripture means for your daily life, who God is, and how God still speaks through His Word today. The digital download is available now on Etsy — more books will be added soon as they’re completed!
A Note on Youth and Children’s Studies
What About Youth & Children’s Studies? I want to be completely transparent here: I don’t currently have a full list of youth or children’s study recommendations. As a new mama to one year old twins, I’m still learning what works best for little ones.
We do have some of the Daily Grace Co. board books, and I think the content is wonderful. They are biblically sound and beautifully written. The challenge at this stage is that one year olds just don’t stay engaged very long, and just want to chew on everything, which is normal – LOL! These resources will likely become more fruitful as Ava and Isaac grow.
That said, I’ve also looked through quite a few storybook “Bibles” and “My First Bible” style books, and honestly, many of them feel insufficient. Here’s the tip I would give parents:
When looking for youth studies and story Bibles, make sure they aren’t altering or minimizing key parts of Scripture.
For example, one story Bible we reviewed made it seem like Adam wasn’t present when the serpent was speaking to Eve, which changes the dynamic of the Fall. Another barely mentioned God resting on the seventh day, which is an essential truth about His creation and rhythm for humanity.
Obviously, children’s resources need to simplify language and stories to match short attention spans, and we do want children to grow up hearing these accounts. But it’s equally important to make sure simplification doesn’t turn into distortion. If we’re not careful, these subtle changes can unintentionally breed misconceptions about God’s Word and cause doubt or confusion later on.
So for now, I’m sticking to resources I fully trust, like Daily Grace Co.’s youth materials for older kids, and as my twins grow, I’ll be able to recommend more with confidence.
Closing Thoughts
Every Bible and study on this list has helped me grow closer to God in a unique way. Whether you’re just starting to read Scripture regularly or you’ve been walking with the Lord for years, the right Bible can make study time feel like a conversation with Him.
I pray these recommendations bless your time in the Word and help you grow in understanding and faith.
