NIV Rainbow Study Bible (jacketed hardcover)

I like a Bible that provides user-friendly study tools. This Study Bible series offers 3 translation choices, each with the same fabulous variety of tools to benefit Bible students from the inexperienced to the more mature. The main distinction: every verse is color-coded, with all spoken words of God underlined (embraced as the Trinity, rather than just the words of Jesus). For reading ease, each page of text is divided into 2 columns, with a solid (yet not overwhelming) number of cross references in between. From cover to cover, 12 different topics are identified by color. These labels provide an umbrella grouping for multiple related subjects: Discipleship (particularly, obedience and praise), Outreach (teaching and counseling), God (the trinity), Salvation (blessings and deliverance), Love (joy and kindness), Commandments (offerings and law), Family (genealogies and marriage), Faith (prayer and miracles), Prophecy (promises and covenants), Evil (Satan, false teachers, and idolatry), Sin (temptation and judgment of ungodly), and History (creation and war). You’ll find the color-code key at the bottom of each page for easy reference. Personally, in the chart, the “Sin” and “History” colors seemed a little indistinguishable; yet, in the text, the distinction is actually more easily discerned. The large amount of supplemental study aids is impressive (approx. 168 pgs.): a plan of salvation, a table of weights/measures, maps (of Abraham and the Exodus, 12 tribes, Israel Kingdoms, Jesus ministry/passion week, and Paul’s missionary journeys); Knowing What God Says; 100 popular Bible passages; over 365 popular Bible quotations; daily and one-year Bible reading guides; harmony of the Gospels; a Concordance, and lined pages for personal study notes. Select one of these versions to really dig into God’s Word. A dustjacket is included. 1428 pgs, hc. ~ Ruth