Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path. (Psalm 119:105).

Our Anglican tradition holds that “The Bible contains all things necessary for Salvation.” That is, there is no “extra” set of texts, confessions, or official church legislation or pronouncements that stand above or equal to Scripture. The Book of Common Prayer includes the Psalms, and large portions of the prayers and liturgies it contains are directly taken from passages of the Bible. (There is a common saying that 85% of the BCP is composed of Scripture.) And of course, at each worship service we have extensive Bible readings assigned by the plan of the Revised Common Lectionary.

In the stories, poetry, history, and personal letters that comprise the Bible we learn of God’s character and hear the story of Salvation history. We learn that God breathed the breath of life into us, and made this beautiful creation “very good.” We learn as we read the history of ancient Israel that no matter how often we turn away, God will call us back and God’s mercy and lovingkindness know no bounds. We hear over and over again that participating in God’s Covenant means lifting up the powerless and caring for the outcast. We see that God uses broken and imperfect people–like nearly *every* Old Testament character–and like us–to be workers in the tasks of reconciliation and mending creation. We grasp the strange and wonderful fact that God works Salvation through self-sacrifice and parental love, and not through force and coercive power. 

Like prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture begins to change us, to shape us, over time. The Hebrew word for meditate means to study, but also to mutter, to talk. Reading Scripture is one of the key ways we hear God talk and encounter Jesus, the Word of God incarnate, and build a deeper relationship with Him. 

Below I’ve listed my favorite Bibles appropriate for different ages. I encourage you to get them for yourself, your children, or your grandchildren, and engage more actively with the living Word.

Fr. Keith’s Favorite Bible Versions for All Ages

Children’s First Bible The Beginner’s Bible is a starting point for your child’s journey towards a lifelong love of God’s Word. Its bright and vibrant illustrations enhance the 90 familiar stories, making it a favorite with young children and their parents, for over 30 years, with more than 25 million copies sold.
Pre-K In this Bible for little ones, Desmond Tutu retells more than fifty of his most beloved Bible stories. Many of the finest artists from around the world have illustrated these favorite Bible stories from Bishop Tutu, connecting Scripture with the multitude of ethnicities across the globe.
Tweens The author, Brendan Smith, combines the actual text of the New Testament with his Lego brick creations to bring to life the teachings, miracles, and prophecies of the Bible. The graphic novel format makes these well-known Bible stories come to life in an engaging way.   My middle one, Joey, was a Lego fanatic, and when he was in 5th/6th grade this was a fantastic way to get him interested in Bible stories. There are two volumes, for the Old and New Testaments.
Teenagers The Action Bible presents more than 230 fast-paced narratives in chronological order, making it easy to follow the Bible’s historical flow and God’s redemptive story.   If you’re a teen (or an adult) who likes graphic novels, this blend of powerful imagery and clear storytelling capture your imagination.   The illustrations of Sergio Cariello have earned him international recognition for his work with Marvel Comics and DC Comics, too.
High School The Guidebook: The NRSV Student Bible is packed with relevant features to address the real questions students have, honestly and head-on.   This Bible will help older kids find their place in the story of God— a story that changes lives. Many teen Bibles distract readers with superficial content and spoon-fed answers, but The Guidebook: The NRSV Student Bible engages students who want to know what’s really in the Bible and how to live it out.
College/Adults The HarperCollins Study Bible—Student Edition is one of the go-to volumes for serious Bible study.   It offers the full text of the New Revised Standard Version as well as in-depth articles, introductions, maps and comprehensive notes by today’s leading biblical scholars for the Society of Biblical Literature.
In-depth Bible Study Although you can purchase a printed version, The NET (New English Translation) Bible is best used (free) online at https://netbible.org.   The NET Bible is a completely new translation of the Bible with 60,932 translators’ notes! It was completed by more than 25 scholars – experts in the original biblical languages – who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.   The translators’ notes make the original languages far more accessible, allowing you to look over the translator’s shoulder at the very process of translation. This level of documentation is a first for a Bible translation, making transparent the textual basis and the rationale for key renderings (including major interpretive options and alternative translations).   This unparalleled level of detail helps connect people to the Bible in the original languages in a way never before possible without years of study of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It unlocks the riches of the Bible’s truth from entirely new perspectives.