This is a wonderful Study Bible. The scripture translation is very understandable.. for those who can't really get into the thees, thous, and thines, this is for you. Passages are also indexed by topic... if you need to find a scripture on lust, faith, love, whatever, the index is helpful.

At the beginning of each book in this Bible, it gives you a background / history, as well as how you should read the book.

Also, it has 3 reading plans so that you can get to know the Bible on a regular basis... I really cannot express how much I love this Bible.. It is an awesome thing.

Also included are:
Well known biblical events, Noteable psalms, an outline of old testament history, a map index, and other goodies.

If you are a newcomer to Christianity or a have been keeping the faith for years, this Bible is perfect for all. I am 22, and out of all Bibles I have ever purchased, this is the one I was able to comprehend most. I definitely recommend this.

God bless.

Looking for an appropriate Bible for study is frustrating when half of them at the store are shrink-wrapped. I took a chance on this and was pleased. Intelligently written and with good notes. I would hope that the authors continue to update this book over the years. I would certainly buy each new version for teaching my teen Bible study classes.

I was browsing over the bookstore, hesitant to buy a bible because I already have one which uses words such as "Thou, Shalt", but this one caught my eye. Not because of its color. Its presentation is quite simple and uncatching for my eyes.

Opening the book was an entire different story. Indeed, it was. I read some description of some of the books in the bible. It tells you practices and beliefs of the Jews and how these practices are passed on from one generation to another, thus, it affects the the collaboration of early Jew Christians with the Gentiles (outsiders "us")

This book is for people who wants facts, reflection and realization, but we must pray for God's wisdom and guidance. The short explanations are man-made and we should use them with discretion. We must also reflect on our own time.

Always remember that the bible is the Word of God. And the Word is Jesus.

God bless all those who believe. May the Sprit of God dwell on them. May the LOVE, faith and hope for God and Neighbor justify ourselves before Him.

Time and this world is passing by so fast. All forms of evil has oaraded before our very eyes-- from the wars, mass murder of jews by hitler's regime, merciless killings of Japanese in Asia, children used as juman experiments in Asia and Europe, Famines in Africa and other places., Earthquakes in various places in the early and late 1900. Now, the yeast of Las Vegas and Hollywood that controls the mind of our youth in America and in the World. I come from Asia and I have experienced the abomination of this world brought by media. The wrong is justified as right, and the right wrong. Sex revolution is considered modern and it has side effects. It caused divorce, illegitimate children, lust, violence, promiscuity etc. The world is getting drunk with evil. People doesnt even accept the fact that evils are no longer the wars or the murders, it is in our books, magazines, televisions, video games, etc.

My country has natives that live naked or half naked. When I look at them, they have innocence in their eyes and they're not afraid nor ashamed. wherelese, the naked women parading themselves on TV conveys the opposite of what I saw. How different!

This bible made me realize these reflections as I go on with my daily life. Pieces by pieces I try to put the puzzle together and I'm beginning to realize. I simply searching for the answer with what I should do in my own little way.

To all of you, just remember said " When you see the clouds rising in the west, immediately you say 'Its going to rain,' and it does. And when the South wind blows, you say, 'its going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! you know how to inerpret the apperance of the earth and the sky. How is that you dont know how to interpret this present time?"
- Luke 12:54-55

Tim Stafford explores the seven stages of aging, giving practical solutions and inspirational insights to the day-to-day problems encountered by those over 65 and their caretakers. This time of life is an important period shen families share concerns and form the basis for healing through experiencing, receiving and giving love. Mr Stafford presents aging, not as a problem to be solved, but as a gift from God, a time of life and growth and joy for those who have the eyes to see.

I read this book by way of mental preparation as both sets of our parents age. Written from a Christian viewpoint, the book sensitively describes both older and younger generation's viewpoint of the aging process. Both would benefit from reading!

When I first found this book many years ago, I was looking for a quick fix. This book disappointed me. But it didn't disappoint me without good reason. There are no quick fixes. There are no distinct steps to follow or techniques to employ that will provide a roadmap to relationship.

And that relationship is what Stafford is trying to demonstrate. Once I realized that, I discovered that this book has more to say on living with God than most others I have seen. No techniques, but rather honest appraisals of how to build intimacy with God, an intimacy that is similar to, but yet must be different from those with human beings. It is a vulnerable book. Stafford must take off some of his masks to tell his journey, and the reader must take off his or her masks to embrace the full scope of the text and live life with God.

It is a book I have read several times, and each time, I am humbled by the task set before me - to know the infinite God. But I am also overjoyed by the reward - to know the infinite God.

I found the first edition of this book on sale at a Christian bookstore and bought it on a whim. I've reread it three or four times, and each time I am impressed. No other book deals as honestly and as in depth with the subject of having a personal relationship with God. I'm not sure why the editors switched Parts I and II for the second edition--I thought the original sequence was perfect. If I could only read one Christian book besides the Bible, this would be it.

Catholics have no good study Bibles to choose from. The Student Bible by Yancey and Stafford is fantastic. So when I heard a Catholic version was forthcoming, I thought "great!"

And it is great, except for two irksome flaws.

1. Why on earth use the GNT? The (old) RSV would sell the best with Evangelical Catholics, and they are the ones who will be buying this. Is it because Zondervan has a soft-spot for gender-inclusive language? Methinks so.

2. The design for the NIV version is two-color, and this is a flat grey and white. I cannot believe that when they finally published an Evangelical Catholic Bible, Zondervan cheaped out on the two-color design aspect. Also along those lines, why isn't there a compact version? What student wants to carry around a clunker?

That said, It is great they put it out at all. Next printing, perhaps Zondervan will consider at least point 2, if Catholics buy up the first printing. They should--it's a great study Bible with excellent notes.

Crackingly British biography of our favourite "tongue-pushing" chef from his glorious (and almost regal) East-end fame. This is a brutally frank, almost cockney tale of how young Oliver rose to culinary stardom with his fantastic recipes and has worthless insight of his beyond horrible music group, "Mother Russia." Each page is filled with a "rogering" of recipies, each with a "Big Ben/Parliament" type of enigmatic splendour. As a Brit, I know all too well of how chefs are often the [fool] of the culinary joke, but with Oliver and the often buxom Nigella Lawson, we're put England back on the map of dining delights. As such, we Birchshire-ians will one day take over the deep-fried, carnival world of food and triumph beyond the gates of heaven. Bloody Outrage!

Tim Stafford answers the kinds of questions I wish I'd had someone to ask when I was a teen. And he gives the kind of answers a kind, Godly big brother would give.

I've loaned the book out to lots of teens in various church Youth Groups, and the pages are well-worn. He covers dating, sex, homosexuality and lots of other issues that are real important to teens and some college students. I can't imagine being without it. I just wish it weren't out of print.

The author provides a simple, yet, very effective grasp oneveryday situations and his insights and knowledge gave me some muchneeded sound advice. In todays wide array of 300 page child rearing "sermon" books, this was by far the best book for me. With three kids, I barely have time to eat, yet I keep this book out as a reference. Great book!

This book is full of inspiration. What would you do if you sentenced cancer and you may live only two more years? What would be the response to 'the Creator' if those things happen to you or your most beloved person? I've been searching for the answer to that matter and this book supply lots of inspiration about that. I recommend to read this book if you have those questions or you eager to get God's answer to you. God bless you!

i got my version of this book (leather) 2 years ago. it's been great! it has character profiles, reading plans, an introduction to each book of the Bible, insights (short articles written like a clip from a magazine, helps you look at things in a new perspective) and highlights, which are little blue boxes through out this book that point out interesting facts & help explain a difficult verse. There is a section in the back marked with a blue tab called "Where to Find It." it has things like a glossary, a piece called Well-Known Biblical Events, or a Line-up of Rulers, then a short subject guide. right behind all that are the maps. i recomend this Bible because it really helped me understand it, and helps me see things you'd normally over look. By the way, i read somewhere if you read 3 chapters a day and 5 on Sundays, you should finish the whole Bible in about a year. Pretty cool, huh? anyway, i hope you seriously consider this book, it really is awesome!

Honestly, until this year I was never a very regular or interested bible reader. My Catholic bible has remained virtually untouched from Confirmation 5 years ago to the present. However, after deciding to make a complete commitment to God this year with my life, I decided I needed a bible I could actually read! Having no information really on this subject, I asked for a recommendation at my Christian book store and they steered me towards this bible. I couldn't be happier!

The NIV student bible is much more easily readable than traditional bibles. It also provides little boxes with extra information for many of the chapters. Probably my favorite feature of this bible is that it provides track 1, 2, and three reading programs which vary in lenght from 2 weeks to 3 years. If you haven't ever really been a serious bible reader, this directs you where to start and can give you an overview of the bible in a very short time.

The Word of God is powerful and amazing, and this bible provides wonderful access to it. I recommend the NIV study bible for people at all spiritual levels! Michelle

This Bible is one of the best on the market. It provides terrific introductions to each book of the Bible and even guides you to the key chapters if you want to get a overview of a particular book or of the entire Bible without reading every word. Throughout the text are short comments or character profiles that add to the understanding of the text. All of the above described editorial content reflects the at times unconventional, "think outside the box" evangelicalism that I have found time and again in Philip Yancey's writings. The compact size is also a big plus because it fits easily into a briefcase or other bag for reading on the go (such as a daily subway commute like mine). I just wish there was a New Living Translation version.

This book is great! I wanted to read the Bible, but I am a student, so time is definetly an issue, the content of the book is so well written that when I did have time I could pick it up remember what I had read before and continue reading without having to stop an try to figure out the meaning of words or phrases. So in short it's a well organized, well written and well broken down edition of the Bible.

The NIV Student Bible is a wonderful Bible. It has a 3-Track reading system which will guide you through the whole Bible. You can choose to read from Track-1 a 2 week reading plan which gets you through certain topics such as "The Teachings of Jesus", "Becoming a Christian", "Prayer", etc. The Track-2 is a 6 month reading plan that takes you through the most well-known parts of the Bible. Track-3 is a 3 year reading plan which takes you through the whole Bible. This is a must have Bible!

I have always had trouble reading the Bible. The language was always difficult, and even though I went to church and understood the stories, I tended to "get lost" when I was reading the book on my own.

...until I got this Bible.

The Student Bible has, by far, been the easiest read of any Bible that I have ever had the pleasure of reading (and owning). 3 different reading tracks can take you through the key points of the Bible quickly, through every book in a semi-long amount of time, or through every word in the massive book. However, while this comes in handy, what I found most useful was the inserts inside the reading. Constantly throughout, notes have been made, explaining traditions, who people are, and other things that people today might find odd or confusing. For example, in Ezekiel, there is a note that helps explain the afterlife, saying,
"Though eternal life shines through a few Old Testament passages (see "Life after Death," page 581), life after death was extremely vague in most of the Old Testament. The grave was represented by a place called, "Sheol." The fate of the nations described here as "within the grave" gives a vivid, eerie sense of death."

These notes, along with advisements at the beginning of each book, help provide additional information and assist in the comprehension of events and ideas. This Bible also has a helpful glossary, a lineup of rulers, a subject guide, and maps that pinpoint places and journeys (among these are the Land of the Twelve Thieves, the Kingdom of David and Solomon, Jerusalem in Jesus' Time, Jesus' Ministry, and much more!) This Bible is awesome! It has been the only version that I have been able to read consistently and understandably! A+++++++++++++++++++

(This review pertains to the leather-bound book.)