Recently, I decided I'd like to have a new study bible... something nice with cross references and a detailed concordance. My first stop was the local Christian book store, which had a very nice selection. Every translation, study focus and cover type that you can imagine.
I finally settled on the Life Application Study Bible by Zondervan. The price in the store was $69.99 for the basic bonded leather style. Since they were closing in 5 minutes and I was still unsure which color/style I wanted, I decided to wait on the purchase.
I got home that evening and did a little shopping around online. My first stop was Amazon, mainly to read reviews of the Life Application line and get an idea of what others thought of their study guides. This is always a great place to start, because the reviews are extremely helpful in picking products for yourself.
I did find that the prices were a bit cheaper on Amazon than at the local book store, and even for the genuine leather covers. This sent me off on a search at Google to do some price comparisons. From Google to Froogle to TreasureChristianBooks.com, I found the bible that I was interested in (in beautiful duo-tone European Leather, no doubt) for only $29.99 (yes, brand new).
After 23 minutes of 'shopping around' I had made a final decision, placed my order... and saved 40 bucks on an even nicer version of the bible I was shopping for! I even got expedited shipping for under $5, and my new bible arrived 2 days later. You simply cant beat that!
It really pays to shop around 😉 The next time you're in the market for something new - check out the reviews on Amazon, do a quick search on Google, and compare prices on Froogle. You'll be glad you did! And if you're shopping for a bible yourself, definitely check out Treasures Christian Books - they have incredible deals, cheap shipping and super fast delivery!
By the way, they do have an affiliate program and pay out 8% per sale. I didnt sign up for the program myself, but I wanted to pass that along to any of you that have a christian-based website or blog. Take it from me - your visitors will be thrilled at the recommendation! I would even be willing to write a personal recommendation for you to put alongside your affiliate link, so email me on that if you want to take me up on it.
Note: For anyone interested, I have started a new Bible Study journal online. It's an in-depth look at the Scriptures, daily bible study and notes for 'life application' of the Word.
Best,
p.s. They've recently updated the church website where I attend, and I was really impressed with all of the changes. I visited this morning and found podcasts, an RSS feed, email newsletters, calendars, photos and tons more. Is that cool or what?! 😀 It's a huge change from the static informational site that they had before.
It's really nice to see websites across the 'net changing to an interactive "Web 2.0" format. As a site developer myself, it showed me firsthand the difference it makes in a visitors response - and in how often they might revisit the site, and what they would enjoy most about it.
Technorati Tags: bible, christian, church, zondervan, life application, treasures christian books, shopping online, froogle, comparison shopping
About Lynn Terry
Lynn, the Life Application Study Bible is one of my all time favorite study bibles, I think you will really enjoy it 🙂
So far I am LOVING it! I still cant believe I got it for under $30 😛
The concordance is amazing, and I think one of my favorite features is that the text is one column instead of two. It makes for much easier reading, in my opinion.
I did get the NIV translation, which I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with - this is my first in NIV, so I'm still 'feeling it out'. But I am going to order a compact KJV (also by Zondervan) for reference.
That website was a real find - they have some incredible deals!
Lynn
Hey Lynn thanks for stopping by today over at my blog.
The Life Application is a wonderful study bible for the daily personal walk. I highly recommend it for anyone who is doing personal devotion with Scripture. So what translation did you chooose for your Life Application? I personally prefer it with the NLT or the NIV.
For a more thorough researched study I would recommend:
#1: The HarperCollins Study Bible : New Revised Standard Version With the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books (ISBN: 0060655275)
But hands down what I think the best of both worlds is the new NIV Study Bible. It seems to be the perfect balance between Life and HarperCollins.
But truth be told I use all three of them regularly. It really depends on what I am trying to do and trying to pull out of Scripture. If I am in an intimate bible study where we are trying to enter into the heart of worship, well I am totally going to pull out the Life Application. If I am in a bible study that is mix of both devotional and study, then I am going to pull out the NIV Study Bible. If I am in a seminary class or with individuals who are really hardcore about studying the bible (and maybe extra-biblical literature i.e. Apocrypha) then I am going to pull out the HarperCollins Study bible.
You have made a wonderful choice on your purchase. I hope you become well pleased with it. Bibles to me often become like bestfriends. You go through the rough time and the hardtimes together. When things fall apart for you then you turn to hear the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit via Scripture. When the binding falls apart on the bible after reading so much or some unfriendly accident then you just slap duck tape on it.
Thanks again for coming by my blog.
Hi Ben! I enjoyed your blog and will have to visit again soon - I found some of your entries to be very thought-provoking. Especially since I've recently been reading the letters from Paul and the book by Joshua Harris.
I ordered the NIV version. And while I am enjoying reading straight through it (it does have a nice flow, I have to admit)... I miss some of the wording out of KJV. Especially in Ecclesiastes, which is one of my favorites.
Best,
Lynn Terry
Lynn, if you want to do your study online, there is a wonderful set of Bible lessons here: http://www.amazingfacts.org/ (click on Studies).
I've attended some of Doug's seminars, and I watch him on satelite sometimes. He has some amazing sermons and studies.
Thank you, Adriana 😀
Hi Lynn!
I also love the Life Application Study Bible. I have the NIV, which does read well, but I sometimes have trouble with it in church since NKJV is used there.
I am debating on whether to buy a NKJV Life Application Study Bible ($$) or just a compact NKJV for church and other reference. I will definitely check out the site you recommended.
Thanks Lynn!!
Hi Shari! Great to hear from you 😀
I know what you mean. I have looked at getting the compact KJV from the same site (around 15 dollars), also from Zondervan. The link to that one is: http://www.treasureschristianbooks.com/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=65840 but you may also find a NKJV there too if you do a search.
Hi Lynn!
I have the Life Application in The Living Bible translation. I like the one-column format as well. The only thing I don't like is that sometimes I disagree with the doctrine put forth in the study notes.
My all-time favorite for personal reading was the Amplified Bible, until one of my kids got their hands on a New Living Translation through church. I really liked it, and when one of my favorite teachers mentioned how much they like the NLT, I had to get my hands on one.
So, I just purchased the Evangelical Parallel Bible through Amazon.com (cheaper than http://www.cbd.com), with NKJV, ESV, NLT and Message side-by-side. I like this version for my devotional reading, as I read a chronological plan, and sometimes the ESV/Message will help me understand the Old Testament books better.
If I'm doing topical or word studies, I pull out my KJV, NIV and Strong's concordance.
If I just want a change, or if God directs, I'll pull out the Life Application in The Living Bible and read away.
It never fails that I find what I need, just when I need it! And as we all know, that's what really matters. 🙂
I'm going to check out the website you recommended because I really prefer to give my money to Christian merchants, when possible; but sometimes my budget just gets in the way.
Thanks for the tip, Lynn!
You're welcome, Cate - it's great to hear from you! 😀