CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible: Black Letter, Notetaking Space, Reading Plans, Easy-To-Read Font

by (in)Courage, Denise J. Hughes (Editor)

The CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible is an invitation for all women to find their stories within the tapestry of the greatest Story ever told—God’s Story of Redemption. Featuring devotions by over one hundred writers of the (in)courage community, the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible provides resources for women to explore the Bible, dive deep into Scripture, record their own stories, and find themselves among friends. Readers will experience Scripture in new ways in the company of women willing to “go first” with everyday stories that bear witness to God’s grace to find beauty in brokenness and hope in the hard. (in)courage is a vibrant online community, reaching thousands of women every day, welcoming them just the way they are, offering a space to breathe, loving support, and resources for meaningful connection.

Features include:

312 Devotions by 122 (in)courage community writers 10 distinct thematic Reading Plans  66 Book Introductions connecting each book of the Bible to the whole biblical narrative Stories of courage from 50 women of the Bible Journaling space Topical index Two-column text Theme verses Specialized presentation page

 

The CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible's original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture's life-transforming message and to share it with others.

 

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality

1873 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2018

Reviews

[M.E. Carter]

EDITED: Third time through. April 8, 2023 - September 7, 2024

EDITED: Second time through. In just 17 months this time. Noting to myself to keep editing this review so I can keep track on how many times I read it all the way through.

Honestly, I feel like I should get way more credit for reading this whole thing than "one book". It took me over two years! Lol

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me almost two years to read a one-year Bible plan, but today I finished… and it’s the first time in my life that I have read the Bible all the way through! This was a goal I made for myself not long ago and I am so excited to have accomplished it!!

[BreeAdoresReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo! Bravo! An Excellent Devotional Bible

When this Bible came out in October 2018, I really, really wanted one. But I wanted it to be in E-book format because I just didn't want to carry around a heavy paper Bible. Well today I purchased the E-book version and I'm very, very pleased with this product. It's a beautiful Bible on my Kindle! The Bible is even in COLOR on my Kindle. (A very pleasant surprise)

The E-book matches the same beautiful color themes found in the hardback and leather versions of this Bible. All the devotionals are hyperlinked so with just the press of my finger on the screen, I can find everything easily. There are many wonderful features in this Bible that I really, really love! And I just adore that I can read it on my Kindle with comfort, ease and portability. The low, low price is fantastic for anyone on a budget.

I highly recommend this devotional Bible in the E-book version. (In)Courage did an excellent job with this product. Bravo! Bravo! *P.S. The E-book version of this Bible can be purchased on Amazon.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst one never really 'finishes' reading the Bible, I used this version as the companion to Nicky Gumbel's Bible In One Year commentary and so, during the course of this past year, I have read from cover to cover, although not necessarily in straight order, sometimes jumping around a little.

This particular version is aimed unashamedly at women, with comments from prominent female Christian authors throughout, and themes which one can follow for Bible study, if you are so interested.

The spelling is American English and the wording relatively modern, not as on point as The Message but a far cry from King James.

There is lined space at the bottom of each page, should you wish to make notes. Hardcover and ultra thin pages so, if writing, you will need some padding.

Everyone has their Bible of choice and many of us go through a season, when we might prefer one over the other. This is mine for the moment and has been since my other half gave it to me about four years ago. Something of a weighty tome, so not for travelling.

[Bible Gateway · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does the Bible point readers to beauty found in brokenness and hope found in hard places? What would it mean to trace themes such as togetherness, grace, everyday leadership, friendship, hospitality, gratitude, and more through the pages of Scripture?

Bible Gateway interviewed Denise Hughes (@DeniseJHughes), general editor of the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible (Holman Bible Publishers, 2018). Read our interview with Denise here: https://bit.ly/2U0mhON

[Julie Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im loving using this Bible as my devotional reading I used about 75 percent of all the sections while I have not read it cover to cover ive been using it all the time. Love it!!

[Melissa Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the Bible there is no greater story. Also this Christian Standard version had very nice devotionals all written by women.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My full review will post ASAP.

[Deb Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly encourage everyone to commit to reading the entire Bible

[Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of God's love for you, and the plan He made for your salvation, so you can live in His love and spend eternity with God

[Carrie Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great devotional Bible! I used it in my one year reading plan with the Bible Recap and loved it. Will be using it for next years plan!

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this Bible for so very many reasons, so let’s start at the beginning. The cover is a pretty green cloth, almost like tweed, over hardboard. As you open the Bible, there are two pages for “Your Commitment” with a section to read and fill out. After the cover pages, there is a Letter from the Editor and a page on “How to Read the Bible.” Following this is “God’s Story of Redemption,” which leads you to the next two pages, covering the features. There are two more sections, one about the devotional theme guide and one introducing you to the Christian Standard Bible. After this, we get into “the meat” or the actual Bible. In addition, two beautiful bookmarks, one silver (which I have never seen before) and one dark blue, enable you to mark your place in the Old and New Testament!

Each chapter of the Bible begins with a page to aid you in understanding the author’s heart, connecting with God’s story and connecting with our story.

There are beautiful memes of pivotal verses in each of the chapters of the Bible.

The pages have a journaling section, which is perfect for recording your thoughts.

The (in)Courage Devotional Bible is a beautiful Bible filled with many wonderful features. I can’t even begin to relate all the wonderful, helpful aspects of this version of the Bible!

Among the features mentioned below, one of my favorites is the Devotionals.
Features include:
312 Devotions by 122 (in)courage community writers
10 distinct thematic Reading Plans
66 Book Introductions connecting each book of the Bible to the whole biblical narrative
Stories of courage from 50 women of the Bible
Journaling space
Topical index
Two-column text
Theme verses
Specialized presentation page

I also appreciate the community of women available to those of us reading the (in)courage Bible.

There are two things, however, I had a hard time with when reading. One was the yellow ink, the other, a personal preference, was not having Jesus’ words in red. Otherwise, I truly enjoyed it.

I received the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible from Holman Bible Publishers through FrontGate Media. However, I was under no obligation to write a review.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Incourage Bible is a beautiful devotional Bible that any woman would love to own! I received the new cover (desert/mustard/alabaster leathertouch) as a Christmas gift. The front cover has “(in)” stamped on it, and the spine has “CSB”, “Christian Standard Bible”, and “Holman” on it. It has perimeter stitching, a sewn binding, and two ribbons. It is a black letter text, with no art gilding. The scripture is a double column format, and a 9 point font.

There are 312 devotions, that are split into ten themes. The themes include: Beautiful Brokennes, Better Together, Daily Grace, Everyday Leadership, Friendship on Purpose, Hope in the Hard, Imperfect Hospitality, Intentional Gratitude, Seconds Chances, and The Scared Brave. There are character profiles of women in the Bible, and theme verses throughout. The theme verses are presented with beautiful artwork. Each book has an introduction. There is also lined journaling space at the bottom of each page. There is a topical index in the back of the Bible with many different topics and scripture to go along with each.

I am really enjoying reading the devotional reading plans. I am also journaling in this Bible to give to my daughter one day. So far, I have been highlighting any prayers that I find throughout the Bible, and I have also started to take notes. The pages are a little thin, so it is important to test out pens before using them. I am also putting thin washi tape around the character profiles to make them stand out a little more. I am hopeful that my daughter will one day find comfort within these pages, as I do now, and love God as much as I do, or more.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Additional features I love:
•I now have 2 copies of this Bible: the light gray hardcover and the light blue cover. I prefer the light blue. It may not be, but it feels lighter weight. It is easier for me to pick up the Bible with one hand. Whereas, the light gray hardcover feels like picking up a dictionary. *Update. The light gray hardcover is 3.15 pounds. The light blue cover is 3.25 pounds. So the weight difference is all in my mind!
•2 sewn in book marks that compliment the colors of the Bibles.
•The subtopic headings and chapter numbers throughout the Bible are in aqua color.
•I love the type font and size. However, I cannot find through online research what is the size. The font is in black.
•The pages are a matte finish and easy to turn.
•About 1 1/2 inches are given at the bottom of the Bible pages for writing. The thin lines (minuscule dots) are in a light gray color. I love this feature of the Bible because I’m a BIG note taker.
•I’ve owned several Bibles through the years. Most of them have been study Bibles with many pages of study material to enjoy. However, I’ve grown to love the minimalist clean page look of the Christian Standard Bibles: She Reads Truth and (in)courage. I recommend both Bibles. I love them both!

[Jennifer Mcilwain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The (in)courage Devotional Bible is an aesthetically beautiful Bible. This Bible carries the CSB text which is widely becoming a chosen and trusted version by many.
Devotional themes covered are:

Beautiful Brokenness
Better Together
Daily Grace
Everyday Leadership
Friendship on Purpose
Hope in the Hard
Imperfect Hospitality
Intentional Gratitude
Second Chances The Scared Brave
Beautiful colors are used throughout the Bible making it easy to follow the devotional themes and reading plans.
I especially appreciated the journaling space provided on each page of the biblical text. My only criticism is that the pages are really thin so I would provide a word of caution as to the choice of pen/marker used. I have found the Pigma Micron 05 pens to be the best in not bleeding through the thinnest Bible pages.
The (in)courage Devotional Bible would be a great Christmas gift for someone special in your life and a great way to encourage consistent time in God's Word. This Bible is not only beautiful in its aesthetics but more so in the clear way it exalts God's plan of redemption from Genesis to Revelation.

Learn more about this resource by visiting HERE.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed viewing the different sections of the (in) Courage Devotional Bible. The Bible is very well made with a sturdy cover and comes in different colors which is in cloth for easy cleaning. The Bible is filled with different themes, reading plans, devotions, and the "Woman of Courage" profiles. The profiles highlight fifty women of the Bible and explain how God showed his love for them.

There is an introduction to each book of the Bible, how it fits into the story of the Bible and how it connects to our daily. This I found very helpful and inspirational. The Bible also has lines journaling space that I could write any personal notes or insightful passenges I wanted to reflect on.

The only drawback for me, and it may not be an issue for someone else, was the smaller print. It could be a challenge to someone who doesn't see well. I hope that there might be a large print version available.

I was provided with a copy from Frontgate Media and voluntarily chose to review it.