Do you want to spend more time in God’s Word, but you’re not sure where to begin? The Bible’s depth can seem overwhelming, but within the pages of Scripture you will find words of peace, hope, and love waiting for you. Sometimes the hardest part of beginning is knowing where to start. The NIV Starting Place Study Bible guides you through Scripture, so you can understand God’s love for you and build a relationship with the Savior who longs to know you personally.
Features:
Full text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV) 88 Bible Characters: Explore the lives of the Bible’s most fascinating personalities 282 Q&A: Get answers to your most perplexing questions 146 Context Notes: In-depth articles on the cultural and historical context of Scripture 138 Bible Truths: Core Christian beliefs and their basis in Scripture Book Introductions provide a helpful overview Over 6,000 Bottom of the page study notes explain the text, verse-by-verse Exclusive NIV Zondervan Comfort Print® typeface
Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:
* They are officially published under that name * They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author * They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
This is a nice study Bible for both beginners and long-time students of the Word! The thing that I like most about this Bible is its accessibility. The study aids are very useful and interesting to read as well as easy to understand. The 9.9 comfort print, combined with the white pages and the snazzy black and yellow graphic design, makes this Bible very legible and unisex in its design.
Recommended!
This excerpt is taken from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
My favorite books are: OT: Book of Job NT: Gospel of John
The Prologue of John's Gospel is beautifully poetic and the Book I chose to "meditate " on. (Ps 1-1:3 & Ps. 119:9-16). (The use of λόγος/logos/the word was known by Jews and Greeks alike.) In the beginning was the λόγος/logos/the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Comparison of John 3 & John 4: Nicodemus no name –“Samaritan woman” A Jew A Samaritan Pharisee/good reputation adulterous woman, bad reputation Religious (upright) worldly (immoral) Highly regarded (Sanhedrin) social outcast (alone at well) Wealthy poor He came to speak to Jesus at night Jesus speaks with her in the heat of the day Jesus was blunt Jesus was tactful Began by talking of spiritual things Began by talking of physical things No immediate response, said nothing. She immediately told the whole city.
The 7 signs by Jesus in John represent the Christian walk today.
1) John 2:1-12 --Turning water into wine/ the new Christian's sin is removed and now is filled with the Holy Spirit (wine). Six (represents "man" created on 6th day); stone water jars (vessels --people) for ceremonial cleansing (when we acknowledge our sins & the forgiveness of the cross of Jesus we become clean like the stone water pots & then Jesus then comes inside and fills us with His presence); Wine = Holy Spirit; when drinking wine our actions are influenced by it, same with the Holy Spirit who influences us. Save the best for last --as we go through our life, the Christian walk gets better and better.
2) John 4:46-52 Healing the Nobleman's son/ son of nobility- children of God We are able to approach Jesus and talk with Him. Big miracle to heal the child from far away/ our big miracle - healing us from far away from death to life, being dead in sin then alive in Christ.
3) John 5:1-17 -- Healing of the Lame man at pool of Bethesda/ Christian begins his "walk" (intimate relationship) Bethesda = House of Mercy; Five (= grace or mercy) porches or colonnade Lame man made "whole" (crippled for 38 yrs. 38 = time Jews wandered in wilderness). Crippled man like Jews are saved from slavery. We are saved from the bondage and slavery of sin and death & we have been instructed in how to follow and worship God. Like the Jews & like the crippled man we lack the faith in God to provide for us and to take care of us and our problems. When we reject entering into the promise land; we must wander in the wilderness of excuses and complaints until by faith we hear the voice of Jesus and pick up our bed and walk.
4) John 6:1-13 Feeding the Thousands with Bread and Fish/ Fellowship among the believers Jesus seeks quiet time alone in the Mts. after learning that John the Baptist was beheaded. But everyone followed him because they too were all devasted by John's death. Although Jesus wanted to be alone, he looked at them & had compassion. A lad had 5 (5=grace) barley loaves and two small fishes: for the 5,000 to eat. Sharing bread and fish that God has provided for us is an example of fellowship. Jesus gives thanks, takes the bread and breaks it, distributing the fragments of bread to feed the multitudes. What do I have to offer in fellowship & Church with other Christians? We look at ourselves, our problems and our shortcomings. Christians aren't "perfect" people and we don't need to be "perfect" for fellowship. Jesus is using the fragments of our life to nourish others in fellowship. When we honestly open up our lives to others we are truly fellowshipping and helping others. Then Jesus instructed "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." The truthful fellowship will remain and last even into eternity. The people and Godly relationships we establish here on earth will transfer with us for eternity into Heaven.
5) John 6:16-21 Jesus calms the disciples during a storm/ Jesus calms our fears The dark nights and the storms of life will come. It is up to us to look to Jesus and to invite Him into our situation into the very boat of our circumstances. As we look around for Jesus we need to look up to see Jesus, for He is above our problems He is walking on the waters. Jesus is above the very storms that threaten to capsize us. Our life will from time to time become stormy. These are the very circumstances that Jesus allows into our lives in order for us to call out to Him and to see that He is bigger than any storm. Remember no matter how strong the storm, Jesus is always in control and He is always with us.
6) John 9:1-41 Blind eyes opened/ Apostles sent out to non-believers This man --blind since his birth. Jesus Informed His disciples that the act of making this man see is a work of God, that God will be glorified in doing. (Vision requires light in order to see, Jesus proclaims Himself to be the light for our sight.) Jesus made clay from His spit and dust from the ground then Jesus "anointed" the eyes of the blind man with the clay. Clay=frail condition of humanity; “we are but clay” (Job 4:19). This man was blind to the plight of humanity, blind to the sin and suffering that is occurring around him. Jesus said to the man to "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." (In Greek, pool of Siloam = pool of Apostle = sent.) The Apostles of Jesus are the "sent out ones" but in order to be sent out, it is first required to have sight in the light of Jesus and to have our eyes “Anointed with the Clay of humanity”. Apostles have the Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus to Eternal life. Apostles have the Good News and the message is to the sinner that God desires to save them. We were once blind now that we have been filed with the Holy Spirit read God's word daily, walk according to God's word, share God's word in fellowship with believers, braved the storms of life by calling on Jesus, we can now participate in the 6th miracle of Jesus which is to be a sent out one an Apostle. Jesus said to take the Good News [gospel] of His resurrection into all the world. We can be “sent out” to reach our families, friends, communities and co-workers.
7) John 11:1-45 Resurrection of Lazarus from death to life/ Resurrection of the believer from physical death to eternal life Lazarus, whom "(Jesus) lovest," was ill. Jesus replied "This sickness is not unto death, but for the Glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." Then Jesus waited 2 more days before departing to get to Lazarus. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead and in the grave for 4 days. His sisters were in despair, Jesus had arrived too late. Jesus replied that to believe in Him is to never die. Then Jesus called Lazarus by name and the dead Lazarus became alive and walked out of his own grave. Not only did Jesus resurrect Lazarus back to life Jesus instructed that the grave cloths that had Lazarus bound up were to be removed. Many are afraid of death. Jesus has said that to believe in Him is to have the binding cloths of death and the grave permanently removed from us. In Jesus we have both life and freedom. The final miracle of Jesus that we get to participate in is the glorious resurrection of the believer. Jesus called Lazarus by name just as Jesus knows our name and will call us by name to the first resurrection. We will no longer be bound to these bodies of flesh and sin. Jesus has set us free from sin and the penalty of sin which is death. The resurrection is where we realize what God has already done for us at the creation and re-united for us at the cross of Jesus.
Designed to be the initial Study Bible for a typical new believer, the NIV Starting Place Study Bible would appear to accomplish that goal.
Borrowing from some of Zondervan’s most helpful Study Bibles, the NIV Starting Place Study Bible provides a wealth of information to the new Bible student. The six underlying resources are as follows:
* The Essential Bible Companion * NIV Quest Study Bible * NIV Foundational Study Bible * NIV Archaeological Study Bible * NIV Student Bible * NIV Rock Solid Faith Study Bible
With the exception of the last, each of the above resources is well-known and appreciated by this reviewer. Having never the Rock Solid Faith Study Bible, I cannot comment directly on its value. Included are a variety of helps:
* Book Introductions * Study Notes keyed to Biblical passages * Context Notes providing background material * Q & A Notes providing answers to key questions * Bible Character studies * Introductions to key Bible Truths * Subject Index * Dictionary - Concordance
Designed using a four color (black, white, yellow, and gold) layout, there is useful information on almost every page. I would recommend that pastors and others use the underlying Study Bible resources; but for the new student of the Bible, this Study Bible is a useful resource. It will not be the last Bible most students of any age will want, but it is a great place to begin. ______________ This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
NIV, Starting Place Study Bible, Hardcover, Comfort Print An Introductory Exploration of Studying God's Word is a lovely Bible that would make a wonderful gift for a friend or a lovely gift for yourself. This study Bibleis ideal for beginners and long-time students of the word. A Bible that is easy accessible with useful and interesting side notes all easy to understand. NIV, Starting Place Study Bible is the perfect addition to your daily Bible studies.