Study Bibles are an important part of college students who are finding their path for faith or are already well-versed in everything that comes with being a Christian. They are practical and readable for young adults, students, and beginners. There are many options for buying the Study Bible with the most pragmatic view of biblical principles. Some of the common options include CSB, KJV, ESV, NIV, NASB, and NLT. All the study Bibles are written and printed in English. They have interesting and special formats and coloring, which makes them easy to read. Moreover, they are printed in a variety of sizes, shapes, prints, etc., to make it easier for college students to carry them around. Following are the list of best Bibles for college students to learn and absorb God’s word while simultaneously applying it to regular lives:
Table of Contents
1. NLT Study Bible (Red Letter, Hardcover Cloth, Blue)
Through NLT Study Bible, students can explore the scriptures with almost fifty of todays’ top evangelic scholars. This Bible has been created to not just impart information but answer the questions asked about the world of the Bible. Readers can gain a deeper understanding and find the significance and true meaning of Scripture. The NLT Study Bible opens the doors of God’s Word, and the New Living Translation makes the message clear. This Bible brings the world of the Bible to life so that the meaning and significance of its message shine through. Some of the main features include 300+ theme articles that identify and explore the major topics and ideas of the Bible, 220+ charts, illustrations, maps, and timelines organize and illuminate important information, Greek and Hebrew word studies, 50,000+ cross-references connect related verses, and words of Christ in red.
2. ESV Study Bible, Personal Size (TruTone, Turquoise, Emblem Design)
The ESV Study Bible sold over 1 million copies and won the ECPA Book of the Year Award. This Study Bible by ESV Bibles was designed for students to help them understand the Bible in a deeper way. This personal size bible comprises all the award-winning features of the Study Bible into a smaller size for easier portability. The ESV Study Bible has study notes, charts, maps, and articles, which make this study Bible a valued resource for serious readers, students, and teachers of God’s Word. There are 20,000+ study notes, 80,000+ cross-references, 200+ charts, 50+ articles and 240 full-colour maps and illustrations in this book. It is 5.375” x 8.0” in size, 2,720 pages long, single-column Bible text, double-column notes, black letter text, Smyth-sewn binding, and lifetime guarantee.
3. NIV, Quest Study Bible, Hardcover: The Question and Answer Bible
Get answers to the Bible questions from the book, NIV Quest Study Bible. This study Bible features over seven thousand notes written in a question and answer format that gives insights into common to perplexing passages from the Bible. Readers can explore God’s Word and receive an opportunity to gain answers to questions. In 1989, the original Quest Study Bible was conceived when two publishing companies named Zondervan and Christianity Today International collaborated to develop a Bible. This Bible was made to answer the challenging questions that Scripture readers’ may have. Focus groups all around the United States evaluated the usefulness of potential study Bible features and helped select the features that were included in this Bible. Some of the main features of NIV Quest Study Bible include article index, expanded subject index, single-column Scripture text, modern two-color page design, over 150 charts, timelines, a reading plan with three distinct tracks to follow, 16-page full-color map section, and 9-point type size.
4. The Amplified Study Bible, Hardcover
The Amplified Study Bible is meant for readers to grasp the full meaning behind the original Greek and Hebrew texts. This first-of-its-kind study Bible was created to deliver an enhanced understanding of the rich meaning of the original Bible languages. For such study bibles, no working knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is required as all of them are translated into the universal language of English. This book is updated to make it even easier to read, study and understand, which makes it a popular choice for students. Also, it includes more refined amplification in the Old and New Testament. Some of its main features include verse by verse study notes, the text of the newly revised Amplified translation, a unique system of punctuation, references, italics, and synonyms to unlock elusive shades of meaning as found in the Greek and Hebrew languages.
5. NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Hardcover, Red Letter, Comfort Print
Through this Spirit-Filled Life Bible by Thomas Nelson and Jack W. Hayford, people can meet the power of God’s Word, walk in the freedom that God intends and experience the Holy Spirit. The NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible provides the work of the Holy Spirit in full color with updated features along with a compelling look at Scripture. This Bible is a best-seller that draws on the expertise of an expert team led by Pastor Jack Hayford, who is also the founding pastor of The Church on the Way and Chancellor of the King’s University. It sold over two million copies and continues to equip everyone to live in God’s kingdom, lay hold of God’s promises, and exercise gifts of the spirit. The NKV Spirit-Filled Life Bible’s main features include a full-color design with updated maps and charts, a detailed NKJV concordance, and in-depth articles about Spirit-filled life. It also has different items like “Word Wealth,” Kingdom Dynamics,” “Truth-In-Action,” and “Praying the Word.” The detailed book introductions and outlines help students learn the historical background of each book and appreciate its teachings. Verse-by-verse study notes explain each passage, illuminates understanding through the exclusive Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface and easy-to-read 9-point print size.
6. NIV, Starting Place Study Bible, Hardcover, Tan, Comfort Print
NIV, Starting Place Study Bible is made for an introduction into the exploration and study of God’s Word. This Bible is made to be an approachable, easy-to-use guide for readers to build their confidence and knowledge in the Scriptures. It includes book introductions, character profiles, and context notes, which are perfect for those starting their journey. The Bible can seem overwhelming for people, but the NIV Starting Place Study Bible acts as a guide to understand God’s love for everyone and build a relationship with him. Some of the main features of this Bible includes 138 Bible Truths: Core Christian beliefs and their basis in Scripture, Book Introductions provide you with a helpful overview of each book of the Bible, Over 6,000 study notes explain the text, verse-by-verse, Exclusive NIV Zondervan Comfort Print® typeface, and 9.7-point print size.
7. Apologetics Study Bible for Students, Hardcover
The Apologetics Study Bible is made for students to anchor younger Christians in the truths of Scriptures, and it also equips them with thoughtful and practical responses for the core issues of faith and life challenges. Spiritual focus often weakens among teenagers, as shown through different research studies, and they head into the attention-dividing realm of young adulthood. As a result, it was found that up to 66% of these teenagers leave church altogether, and the Apologetics Study Bible for students is specifically made to work against this trend by helping students begin to better articulate the beliefs. Additionally, this Bible consists of the complete HCSB text and dozens of articles collected by the most popular modern youth leaders, including the editor, Sean McDowell. Some of the main features of this book include a two-color design-intensive layout on every page for the visual generation, sixty “Twisted Scriptures” explanations, fifty “Bones & Dirt” entries (archaeology meets apologetics), fifty “Notable Quotes,” twenty-five “Tactics” against common anti-Christian arguments, twenty “Personal Stories” of how God has worked in real lives and twenty “Top Five” lists to help remember key apologetics topics.
8. College Devotional Bible
Teenagers are always different in college when compared to any other time of their lives. They get a demanding new schedule, fresh perspectives on life, develop lifelong friendships, and face unique challenges. The College Devotional Bible was created to help such college students strengthen their walk with God while finding their ways in life. This Bible is ideal for modern-day students because of its innovative reading plan and storytelling approach. The reading plan of this Bible includes 12 months of devotions divided into readings for the school year and the summer vacation. This book also has stories connected to the Scriptures with the questions, struggles, and decisions every young adult faces every day. It is similar to the approach Jesus used in his parables by taking stories from everyday life to illustrate eternal truths. Some of the main features of this College Devotional Bible include 222 school-year devotions highlight an interesting theme and encourage Scripture reading 90 summer reading notes written by college students illustrate what they’ve learned about God, life as a Christian, or a specific Bible verse. In addition, unique storytelling approach for devotions along with application statements, questions for reflection, and more. Also, it includes the full text of Today’s New International Version—timeless truth in today’s language.
9. HarperCollins Study Bible – Student Edition: Fully Revised & Updated
The HarperCollins Study Bible is made for students to act as a landmark for general references from the Bible. This offers the full text of the New Revised Standard Version as well as in-depth articles, introductions, and comprehensive notes by today’s leading biblical scholars for the Society of Biblical Literature. The most recent edition includes the latest scholarship and findings as well as new charts, diagrams, and maps. The author, Harold W. Attridge, has a Ph.D. and currently works as the Dean of Yale University Divinity School. He has published many intellectual contributions to New Testament exegesis and to the study of the history of the early Church and Hellenistic Judaism.
10. NIV, Teen Study Bible, Paperback/Hardcover
NIV Teen Study Bible keeps up with the current trends and is one of the bestselling study bibles that sold over three million copies. Some of the main features of this Bible includes the complete text of the readable, accurate and clear New International Version (NIV), “We Believe” features unpack the Apostles’ Creed to reveal the biblical foundation of faith, “Panorama” features keep the big picture of each book of the Bible in view, Topical indexes help with in-depth Bible study, Book introductions provide an overview for each book of the Bible, Bible Promises highlight Bible verses worth memorizing, Q & A’s test your Bible knowledge, 4 Full-color pages including a presentation page, plus information about the Apostles’ Creed, 8-page color map section, Biblical advice about friends, family, school, and other issues and 8.8-point type size.
