The CSB Experiencing God Bible invites the reader to meet the God of the Bible in an immersive, experiential way. It has several ways to help study Scripture in a personal way to grow your faith into a deeper relationship with God. This Bible utilizes the CSB translation which seeks to strike the balance between highly readable and highly reliable.
“Experiencing God is a unique, ongoing opportunity. God started the relationship when he sent his only Son to earth to die on a cruel cross to pay the penalty for your sin. You embraced that relationship when you repented of your sin and asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. But your relationship with Christ didn’t end there! Every day, every hour, Christ welcomes you to abide in him, to encounter him in his Word, to pray to him without ceasing, and to have him work powerfully through you as you obey him. God doesn’t want you to only believe in him. He wants you to experience him daily.”
Each book of the Bible has a brief introduction and several themes to look for and explore while reading. These prompts prepare you to encounter God, alert you of decisions awaiting you, or to notice a crisis of belief in the texts. It also has a legend for specific icons scattered throughout the book. This takes a little getting use to but really serves to draw your attention to specific topics that are reoccurring throughout the book. They reveal the seven realities of Experiencing God and two steps of Fresh Encounter found throughout God’s Word.
At the beginning of each chapter there are a series of questions (Prepare to Meet God) that prepare you to Experience God or areas that will cause you to make choices for your life. At the end of each chapter there are review questions (Did You Notice) that draw your attention to specific ways you Experienced God while reading the previous chapter and specific ways the text calls you to action in your life in response to God’s word.
Throughout the text, there are Character profiles with provide a deeper look at some of the people in Scripture. These biographies draw your attention to how they are Experiencing God. There are also topical sections that explore concepts that relate to Experiencing God. At the end of each book of the bible, there are questions designed to recall the ways you experienced God in the text and for deeper reflection. If you like journaling, there is ample room to answer these question on this page, as well as wide outside margins to take notes while reading.
This Bible is not a typical study bible with commentary but will draw you into Experiencing God while reading. I found it most useful for reading whole books of the Bible or as part of your yearly reading plan. It would also be very useful for a study of a specific book of the Bible. The questions and prompts in the text help to focus on specific aspects of the text and to draw out its implications in your life. I have the Black Genuine Leather cover but it also comes the following cover options: Jacketed Hardcover, Burgundy Soft Leather-Look, Burnt Sienna Soft Leather-Look, and Charcoal Soft Leather-Look.
The CSB Experiencing God Bible is perfect for Christians who read large sections of Scripture, or at least more than just a verse or two. It helps to draw out what God is doing in Scripture and to get more out of your daily reading or study. We are confronted with the God of the Bible and are invited to be on mission for him. It definitely succeeds in helping its reader experience God in a deeper experiential way.
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CSB Experiencing God Bible–genuine leather, black |
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions I express are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.