Recommended Resources

Our Favorite Bibles and Biblical Resources

Want to know what Bibles, books and Biblical resources we use in our personal study? Check out these resources that are our favorites.

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Free Resources

The Chara Project demonstrates how to study the Bible

YOUVERSION BIBLE APP

Access to multiple versions of the Bible and reading plans.

Study Jonah with The Chara Project

BIBLE GATEWAY

Website hosting more than 200 versions of the Bible.

Loving Your Neighbor Bible Study Digital

THE BIBLE PROJECT

Videos to help people experience the Bible as a unified story.

The Chara Project Parables Bible Study

THE BIBLE RECAP

1-Year Chronological Bible Reading plan & podcast

The Chara Project demonstrates how to study the Bible

BIBLE HUB

Website that features multiply versions of the Bible, plus Greek and Hebrew study tools, plus concordances, commentaries, and dictionaries.

Study Jonah with The Chara Project

BLUE LETTER BIBLE

Website that features Greek and Hebrew study tools, plus additional resources for Bible study.

Loving Your Neighbor Bible Study Digital

OLIVE TREE BIBLE SOFTWARE

Biblical software and mobile apps for easy access to Bible versions and Bible study tools

The Chara Project Parables Bible Study

LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE

Website and downloadable phone app that features Greek and Hebrew study tools, plus additional resources for Bible study.

BIBLES (BY TRANSLATION)

We’ve listed some of our favorite Bibles below, by translation.

It’s worth noting that Scripture remains the same across different editions of the same translation. As you’ll see, many of the most popular Bible translations have several editions specifically geared toward different audiences such as men, women or students. The Scripture itself hasn’t changed, these different editions just include study notes, articles and devotional materials packaged with additional insights geared toward that audience. You can see the variety of options below and learn more about different Bible translations, by checking out our How to Choose a Bible Version article.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The CSB strikes a good balance between a word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation. Readable, yet remains close to the original language and structure. For more information on Bible translations, see here.

CSB STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the CSB translation PLUS 15,000 verse-by-verse study notes, 350+ word studies, 66 book introductions, maps, charts, timelines, articles, and a concordance, plus robust cross references.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for deeper study. Of the many CSB Bibles available, we’ve found this one to have the most comprehensive study notes, articles and cross references. We like the many word studies and essays covering major biblical/theological issues. It’s available in standard hardcover or in beautiful leather options.

BY: Holman Bible Publishers. Contributors are a team of biblical scholars that contributed and edited the study notes.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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THE CSB STUDY BIBLE FOR WOMEN

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the CSB translation PLUS ~6,500 verse-by-verse study notes, 500 word studies, 66 book introductions, maps, charts, a concordance, and specialized content geared toward women. It does not include cross references like most other study Bibles.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for women newer to the Bible and interested in a CSB translation. We like the many women Bible character profiles, word studies, and articles that address topics for women. Plus it’s beautiful, with two cover options: a linen hardcover or a teal leather cover.

BY: Holman Bible Publishers. Contributors are a team of biblical scholar women that contributed and edited the study notes, commentary and articles specifically for women.

AUDIENCE: Women

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English Standard Version (ESV)

The ESV trends toward more word-for-word (literal) in translation as it’s focused on following the grammar structure of the original language as much as possible. Many moving from the KJV (King James Version) often prefer this translation since some of the language is similar. For more information on Bible translations, see here.

ESV WOMEN’S STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the ESV translation PLUS 12,000+ verse-by-verse study notes, 350+ scripture sidebars, 66 book introductions, Bible character profiles, maps, a concordance, robust cross references, plus articles geared toward women.

WHY WE LIKE IT: These Bibles are a great cross between enabling deeper Bible study and having women or men specific content. We like how it incorporates word studies, has great cross references and study notes, and includes articles that address topics for women or men respectively. Plus it’s beautiful, with multiple cover options in hardcover or leather.

BY: Crossway. Contributors are a team of men and women biblical scholars who contributed and edited the study notes, commentary, and articles.

AUDIENCE: Women

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ESV MEN’S STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the ESV translation PLUS 12,000+ verse-by-verse study notes, 350+ scripture sidebars, 66 book introductions, Bible character profiles, maps, a concordance, robust cross references, plus articles geared toward men.

WHY WE LIKE IT: These Bibles are a great cross between enabling deeper Bible study and having women or men specific content. We like how it incorporates word studies, has great cross references and study notes, and includes articles that address topics for women or men respectively. Plus it’s beautiful, with multiple cover options in hardcover or leather.

BY: Crossway. Contributors are a team of men and women biblical scholars who contributed and edited the study notes, commentary, and articles.

AUDIENCE: Men

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ESV CONCISE STUDY BIBLE

ESV CONCISE STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the ESV translation PLUS 12,000 study notes, 150+ maps and charts, 15+ illustrations, 12 articles introducing the Bible, 66 book introductions, glossary and a concordance. It does not include an official section for cross-references like most other study Bibles.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is thinner than most standard study Bibles making it a great option for easy transport or when on-the-go. While the study notes are concise, they are quite helpful in understanding the Bible more deeply and include cross references where appropriate. It comes in a leather or hardcover option; as well as a low-price point paperback edition.

BY: Crossway. Contributors are a team of biblical scholars that contributed and edited the study notes, commentary, and articles.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)

Currently one of the most popular English translations of the Bible, the NIV strikes a good balance between a word-for-word and thought-for-thought translation. Readable, yet remains close to the original language and structure. For more information on Bible translations, see here.

NIV STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the NIV translation PLUS 21,000 verse-by-verse study notes, 66 book introductions, maps, charts, illustrations, articles, a concordance, and robust cross references.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for deeper study. Of the many NIV Bibles available, we’ve found this one to have the most comprehensive study notes, articles and cross references. It comes in a hardcover or many beautiful soft-cover or leather options.

BY: Zondervan. Contributors are a team of biblical scholars from multiple denominations that contributed and edited the study notes, commentary and articles.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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NIV, CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the NIV translation PLUS verse-by-verse study notes, book introductions, maps, charts, illustrations, articles, a concordance, and cross references.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for deeper study especially when trying to grasp the history and culture of the Bible’s day. We like how the study notes address culturally based nuances and historical events that are often missed when reading the scripture on its own. It comes in a hardcover or many beautiful soft-cover or leather options. This study Bible is also available in NKJV.

BY: Thomas Nelson. Contributors are a team of biblical scholars that contributed and edited the study notes, commentary and articles, while also drawing content from the Zondervan Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Old Testament, and the IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT)

One of the easiest Bible translations to read, the NLT focuses more on the thought behind the text, rather than the exact words used in the original transcripts. For more information on Bible translations, see here.

NLT LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the NLT translation PLUS 10,000 life application study notes, 66 book introductions, Bible character profiles, maps, charts, timelines, a concordance, and cross references.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for those that want a simple study Bible that has all the features often desired in a study Bible – like study notes, cross references and articles, but doesn’t overwhelm with too much content. We like how this Bible presents the information in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to your life. It comes in standard hardcover or many beautiful cloth hardcover or leather options. This study Bible is also available in NIV, NKJV and KJV.

BY: Tyndale House Publishers. Contributors are a team of biblical scholars that contributed and edited the study notes.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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THE ONE YEAR CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE EXPRESSIONS (NLT)

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the NLT translation in chronological order and divided into 365 daily readings. It does not include any study notes.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for anyone interested in reading the Bible in the order in which the events occurred. Especially in the Old Testament, we like how the Bible comes to life as you see how the historical stories of kings and nations are interwoven with the Psalms and books of the prophets. It also is beautifully designed with larger margins for journaling and comes in soft and hard cover options.

BY: Tyndale House Publishers.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV)

When originally published in 1611, the Kings James Version (KJV) was one of the most literal translations available and focused on formal language and word-for-word (literal) translation. The NKJV is an updated version of the KJV published in 1982 that removes some words that aren’t in common use in English today. For more information on Bible translations, see here.

NKJV FOUNDATION STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the NKJV translation PLUS 293,000 words of study notes, 66 book introductions, 300 theological notes, maps, charts, a concordance, and cross-references.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for anyone – beginner or experienced – interested in studying the Bible in an NKJV translation. This Bible is also thinner than most standard study Bibles making it a great option for easy transport or when on-the-go. Its concise study notes and cross-references don’t feel overwhelming, yet are quite helpful in making sense of the Bible. It comes in hardcover or beautiful soft-cover leather options. This study Bible is also available in NIV and KJV.

BY: Thomas Nelson. Contributors are a team of multi-denominational biblical scholars who contributed and edited the study notes and commentary.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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NKJV, THE WOMEN’S STUDY BIBLE

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture in the NKJV translation PLUS thousands of study notes, 66 book introductions, Bible character profiles on women, maps, charts, timelines, a concordance, plus articles geared toward women. It does not include cross references like most other study Bibles.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This Bible is great for women newer to the Bible and interested in a NKJV translation. We like the women Bible character profiles and articles that address topics for women. Plus it’s beautiful, with multiple cover options including the standard hardcover, linen cloth hardcovers, or soft leather covers. This study Bible is also available in NIV and KJV.

BY: Thomas Nelson. Contributors are a team of biblical scholars that contributed and edited the study notes, commentary and articles and include more than 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds.

AUDIENCE: Women

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THE MESSAGE

The Message is a paraphrased version of the Bible that presents the scripture as more readable and easier to understand by capturing the thought-for-thought of the original text. For more information on Bible translations, see here.

INCLUDES: The complete text of the scripture paraphrased and broken into unique verse-numbered paragraphs.

WHY WE LIKE IT: Meant for Bible devotions and easy reading of the Bible, the Message uses the conversational language of today to capture the high-level idea of what the Biblical authors were trying to communicate. We like using The Message as a supplement to any Bible study, especially on passages that are difficult to understand.

BY: Eugene Peterson, a biblical scholar, pastor, author, and poet. The version was also reviewed and approved by 20 biblical scholars.

AUDIENCE: Anyone

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BIBLICAL RESOURCES: COMMENTARIES, CONCORDANCES, & MORE

The Moody Bible Commentary

The Moody Bible Commentary

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Study Jonah with The Chara Project

Wiersbe Bible Commentary 2 Vol Set (Wiersbe Bible Commentaries)

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Loving Your Neighbor Bible Study Digital

Bible Knowledge Commentary (2 Volume Set) (Bible Knowledge Series)

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Vine's Complete

Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

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IVP Bible Background Old Testament

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (IVP Bible Background Commentary Set)

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IVP New Testament

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (IVP Bible Background Commentary Set)

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Strongs Concordance

The New Strong's Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

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Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Premier Reference Series)

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BOOKS & BIBLE STUDIES

The Chara Project demonstrates how to study the Bible

Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story (Member Book)

By Angie Smith

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Study Jonah with The Chara Project

The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible

By Cobble, Tara-Leigh

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Loving Your Neighbor Bible Study Digital

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

By Sally Lloyd-Jones

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The Chara Project Parables Bible Study

The Action Bible

David C Cook

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The Chara Project demonstrates how to study the Bible

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible

By Richards, E. Randolph, O’Brien, Brandon J.

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Study Jonah with The Chara Project

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition

By Fee, Gordon D., Stuart, Douglas

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Chara Bible Study Guide

A Guide for Personal or Group Bible Study

Chara Article Library

Simple Guides to Help Study the Bible Together

Bible Studies & Devotionals

Check out these Bible studies and devotionals – made with you in mind

All Videos & Podcasts

Access All Available Videos & Podcasts