Bible Study HQ

"I work with younger children and teenagers in our church -- which Bible translation would be best to use with them?"


Many people who work with children and teenagers find that a contemporary or modern-language translation is more understandable to them -- particularly if these children did not come from homes or religious backgrounds with extensive training in the Bible. An additional consideration here is other printed materials that you may be using (Bible club, Sunday school, catechism,CCD materials) while teaching. You may need to use the same Bible translation as are used in these materials. The materials may be keyed to specific words and phrases in that translation (especially for Bible memory verse work). Also, your church (or other group that sponsors your class) may have additional policies or preferences that require your use of a specific Bible translation -- so make sure to check with them.

"I read Scripture in my group as a Lector, I don't know which Bible translation to choose. Can you give me some suggestions?"

A Lector -- one who reads appointed scripture lessons for the day -- or those who preach or teach from the Bible have extra considerations here: the preferences and needs of the group, rather than an individual's choice. Many faith communities expect -- and exert -- a certain amount of conformity in which translation of the Bible is used when it is read publicly in their meetings, so you should check with your group's leaders for more guidance.

Keep in mind that some translations of the Bible (such as The New International Version, The English Standard Version, The Revised Standard Version) have been developed especially with the public reading of the Bible in mind. Some who preach or teach expository Bible messages (which provide a lot of verse-by-verse instruction) prefer more formal Bible translations. But you will find other groups that are just as enthusiastic about more contemporary language translations, so check with your group leaders.

"What Bible translation is best for memorizing scripture?

Is an interesting fact that many people who regularly memorize Scripture passages find that when they use a more formal or literal translation that it is much easier for them. Why is this so? Perhaps because the more contemporary translations often sounded too much like "everyday conversation" and are therefore not as memorable. In addition some folks who have grown up with one of the older, standard translations (such as The King James Version, The Revised Standard Version, The Douay-Rheims) find that continuing their memory work in the translation -- or one close to it -- is easier than switching. Some of the newer translations of the Bible (such as The New King James Version, The New Revised Standard Version, The English Standard Version) share much of the language of the venerable KJV. You might want to select one of these Bible translations if you already know a lot of scripture in that translation -- your memory work will be much easier.

"Which Bible translation should I select -- one geared more for devotional or spiritual reading, or one for more detailed Bible study?"

Actually, the answer to that question depends on whether you do mostly Bible reading or Bible study. And don't forget that you can have more than one translation of the Bible handy -- one for daily spiritual reading, another for in-depth Bible study and analysis.

For in-depth study of the Scriptures a more formal translation of the Bible is probably best -- and if you need a Bible to do a lot of scripture study, you should nearly always choose such a translation, as these translations translate the same Bible language (Aramaic/Hebrew/Greek) words more consistently with the same English word. This consistency will allow you to do word studies and studied doctrinal/theological Bible concepts in the Scriptures.

Less formal translations of the Bible are much less consistent in how they translate the same word in the original language. It should also go without saying that if you are (or will be) pursuing training in the original languages of the Bible, you will almost certainly need to rely on a more formal and literal translation.

"When I choose a Bible translation for others, should I take into account their educational level?"

Absolutely! Because did you know that the various translations of the Bible differ a great deal in their reading grade level? In fact, most Bible translations are aimed at a certain "target" reading level -- often for a specific audience.

For example, translations such as the Contemporary English Version (CEV) or the New Century Version are aimed at the 1st-6th grade level, whereas the New American Bible, New International Version, and the New King James Version are aimed at the 7th-9th grade level.

At the upper grade levels we have the New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, and English Standard Version (10th-12th), and the King James Version and Douay-Rheims at 12th grade and beyond -- because these translations have many words and phrases that have largely dropped out of modern English.

If a person's educational background is limited, therefore, some Bible translations may be difficult to read. Counterbalancing this, however, is the amount of prior religious training the person may have had -- I have known many people of poor and humble backgrounds who were completely familiar with the more difficult translations, because of their extensive experience with it.

In addition, those who are new to the faith (recent converts), slow learners, and those learning English as a second language will find a Bible much more understandable in a more conversational, contemporary translation.