When I was twelve years old, my mom purchased my first makeup products for me: CoverGirlTM Clean Liquid Makeup in 110 Classic Ivory and a black (self-sharpening!) eyeliner pencil.
I wore that duo, along with an iconic pink and green tubed mascara, for a decade-plus. And then one day, I realized I could try a different liquid makeup.
I surveyed the Target cosmetics aisle until I found a new-to-me product that delivered the same coverage as my mom’s signature foundation with added benefits. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and SPF 30 could be accessed in a single bottle—all I had to do was try it.
If your Bible reading routine is steady, but not quite engaging, or if the way you read God’s Word hasn’t changed since you were introduced to the idea a long time ago, is it time to try a new approach?
There could be added benefits waiting for you in the margins of a study Bible. You don’t have to wait a decade to find out—today, I’ll share some of the features and tools in a study Bible designed for deeper understanding of God’s Word.
Study Notes
Study notes take you deeper into Scripture for a fuller look of a specific passage and its place in the grand narrative of the Bible. Study notes are usually tucked quietly out of the way (at the bottom of the page) so that they don’t interfere with your reading, but they’ll be there for you when you need them.
Visuals: Maps, Charts, Photos & Timelines
Visual aids in a study Bible are your cue to pause and absorb the significance of the passage. Charts take complicated bits of information, like genealogies, and compile it into at-a-glance graphics for easy reference and study. Photos bring context to subject matter, and maps help you to wrap your head around the journeys and experiences people in Scripture had. Visuals in a study Bible bring life to the words you read to remind you that these were real events that happened to real people.
Articles for Women
When it comes down to it, most of us would love an answer to the question, “What does this Scripture passage have to do with me?” Articles written by female scholars break down how women in history were impacted by the context of a passage, as well as how it applies to us, today. Many resources lack a female biblical scholar’s voice, but the CSB Women’s Study Bible is entirely curated by women, for women, to help you practically apply Scripture to your life.
Word Studies
Word studies consider the original Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic to broaden understanding of a passage. They discuss other occurrences of the original word found in Scripture, as well as various translations of the word. You’ll read about the depth of meaning found in a single word and get a glimpse of the journey the original language has taken for you to be able to read in your language, today.
Recommended Women’s Study Bible
To this day, I don’t know why it took me so long to realize I could pick up a different makeup product than the ones my mom used. Was it budget? A fear of trying something that wouldn’t work? A lack of recognizing my own agency?
Whatever the reason, I am so glad I discovered options that met my needs and offered even more benefits beyond my go-to routine. If you’re ready to try a study Bible that can take you deeper into God’s Word, pick up a copy of the CSB® Women’s Study Bible (take a look inside!). It’s basically an entire library of resources in a single study Bible—curated intentionally by women—and it’s available in a range of cover options so you can choose the one you love.
