Your teen has grown up with the basic Bible stories, knows the famous people of the Bible, and is growing in his or her relationship with the Lord. He is ready for meat. Here are some teen Bibles your child can really sink his teeth into. And there are a lot of choices of Bibles aimed specifically at reaching your teen at a time in his life when parents have almost finished training him.
Stick to the Basics
The Teen Study Bible [Larry & Sue Richards, Zonderkidz, 2004] presents God’s Word in an easy-to-follow format, including features like:
- "We Believe," which unpacks the Apostles' Creed
- "Panorama" that provides the big-picture overview of each book
- "To the Point" revealing to your teen what the Bible has to say about some serious issues
The Teen Study Bible also includes a Q&A section, book introductions, and personal applications, all packaged with the complete NIV text.
Does your teen run in and out of your house like it has a revolving door? Is he found outside more often than in? Tuck The Outdoor Bible [Bardin & Marsee Publications, 2005] in his backpack. It is printed on 100% plastic so it is weatherproof. It folds up like a map, but reads like a book. There is no cover to come off or pages to fall out. The Bible is written in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version, so your teen will not be leaving home without it. Just keep in mind that The Outdoor Bible only comes in the New Testament.
All teens are busy. For that the reason the Holman Bible Editorial Staff has designed a Bible for high school and college students in a 365-day, 1-minute devotional format. The iStand One Minute Bible for Students [Holman Bible Editorial Staff, H & B Publishing Group, 2008] will challenge and strengthen your teen's walk in his world. Features include:
- Daily Scripture emphasizing courageous people in the Bible who made good choices
- Illustrations of courageous people throughout history
- "Anchor Points" that solidify Scripture truths
- "Week Start" focusing on a worship theme for each week
- "Weed End" providing challenges and review of the past week's devotionals
Plus, there are questions to answer after each devotion, chances to learn more about God's commands, and profiles of people in history who have made tough choices and persevered. All of this is presented in an easy-to-read format that holds the interest of teens.
Keeping Up with Technology
How about reaching your teen through his ears? The NIV Complete Audio Bible on CD: Dramatized Version [Zondervan, 2001] gives your teen the chance to experience the Bible as if he were walking through it, right alongside of the Apostles or the characters from his favorite stories. The believable voices and fully orchestrated audio brings the Bible alive for your teen.
Offer your teen something heavy metal (not the music), such as the NLT Metal Bible [Tyndale House, 1996], which comes in shiny, metal covers. It may be hard on the outside, but on the inside are the pages of the New Living Translation (NLT). This is an edition that speaks your teen’s language. Keep in mind that this Bible cannot be personalized because of the metal cover.
Teens live life to the extreme. Here is a Bible that joins them there. The NCV Extreme Teen Bible [Thomas Nelson, 2006] offers real answers to the tough questions and issues teens face today. The Bible comes alive to your teen as he reads about true stories of amazing, young people in Scripture. Other features include:
- Introductions to the Books of the Bible
- Over 250 study notes to help teens get a vision for life
- Reading plan to complete the whole Bible in one year
- Quick reference system to find Scriptures and topics easily
Speaking in contemporary language, the Message REMIX 2.0 [Eugene H. Peterson, NAV Press, 2006] is both different and relevant. The version describes itself sort of like TiVo for your spiritual life. Now that speaks the language of a teen. Features include:
- Thin, sleek style
- Topical concordance
- Charts and maps detailing life and events in the Bible
- Verse number system
The Message REMIX 2.0 is great for teens and youth pastors. In fact, some youth leaders are giving this Bible to the teens as a gift because it has a great impact on reaching young adults.
Bookstores are stocked with many versions, translations, cover styles, and sizes of the Bible. Thankful the US is a country where it can be freely read.
You know your teen best. You know his interests, activities, gifts, and abilities. There is a Bible designed to fit your teen. In fact, once you show your teen his choices, he is sure to be directed to the perfect Bible for him.
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