HCSB Illustrator's Notetaking Bible from B&H Publishers | Journaling Bible Review

HCSB Illustrator's Notetaking Bible

B&H Publishers

Journaling Bible

The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible combines two hot trends: Bible journaling and adult coloring. Through unique illustrations included on every page spread, readers, illustrator's, and notetakers alike learn to engage the biblical text in a new way. The exceptional design offers a unique balance for everyone from seasoned artists to the creatively challenged, allowing for guided creativity and meaningful personalization of the Bible reading experience. From filigree, Scripture quotes, and unique images, these line-drawn illustrations are waiting to be brought to life.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Over 600 images, including text designs, images, & filigree
• Open margin space for creating new, personalized images
• Light grey illustrations allowing readers to add color to each image
• Lined margins for note taking

My Thoughts

The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible is perfect for the artist and non artist alike. There are a ton of sketched out illustrations and verses that will allow you to either use it as a template to color in or a jumping off point for expanding the design.

I have enjoyed using it for both circumstances. Some of the designs I've just colored in and left alone. On some of the more abstract designs I've colored them in and used them as a background and then did some handlettering over the top. If you don't handletter you could also use letter stickers or stamps.

One of the other parts that I'm thrilled about is all of the open space. The text is single column so it is easy to focus on a specific verse or portion of Scripture. Even with all of the included design elements there is still a lot of lightly lined margin space to add your own notes. I like the balance of being able to illustrate and also add notes.

If you or someone you know is looking to begin Bible journaling this would be the perfect beginning Bible. I've been journaling in my Bible for a couple of years now and I still enjoyed the original designs. On days that I just felt like I didn't have a creative bone in my body it gave me the inspiration that I needed.

Bible Art Journaling & Notetaking With The HCSB Notetaking Bible

HCSB Notetaking Bible

Holman Bible Staff

Bible 

The HCSB Notetaking Bible is designed to enhance personal Bible study as well as preparation for teaching and preaching. The Bible contains the full text of the Holman Christian Standard Bible in a single-column setting. Abundant space is provided with a 1.75 inch note taking space on each page to make observations, record insights, raise questions, and suggest to yourself additional exploration of the text. The Bible includes a 40-page concordance, eight four-color maps, a one-year Bible reading plan, presentation page, and an introduction to the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

My Thoughts

For years now I have been marking up my Bibles with notes and highlights and scraps of paper. But let's face it, you can only keep so many extra pieces of paper or sticky notes in your Bible before it causes the spine to break down.

More recently I have begun Bible Art Journaling. The first Bible I started in didn't have very wide margins and it was a bit of a challenge, so I did a lot of tip-ins. Again not the best solution because it eventually does a number on your spine.

You can just imagine my delight when I discovered the HCSB Notetaking Bible. The margins are wide enough to illustrate or make notes next to the very passage I am concentrating on.

The margins are lightly lined so it is easy to make notes that are legible and not wonky. It's also easy to cover the lines with art work. The ink used is a faded grey so it doesn't interfere with your doodles.

I've had success with colored pencils, watercolor, acrylic paint, and micron pens. There is little to no bleed through onto the adjoining page. The pages are thin but sturdy. 

The font is small but still readable. I'm pleased with the overall size of the Bible. With such wide margins and single column text it still is a very portable book. I've carried it with me to church and haven't found it unwieldy. 

The Bible nerd in me loves all of the extra features. There are colorful maps and a wonderful daily reading plan that has boxes to check when you've finished reading the particular passage. I'm a list maker - box checker so this pleases me. Such a nice sense of accomplishment is achieved when you look back at all of the passages that you have completed. 

My favorite extra feature is the concordance. It is quite complete. I'm used to anemic ones that force you to look up what you need elsewhere, but this one is very extensive. 

Whether you are a notetaker or Bible art journaler or a combination of both, I think you will find the Notetaking Bible to be to your liking.  

Apologetics Study Bible For Students {Book Review}

Apologetics Study Bible for Students

Sean McDowell & Holman Bible Staff

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Apologetics Study Bible for Students

can play a crucial role in giving students an understanding of:

What they believe ~ Strong evidence for the Christian faith ~ Answers to the critics of Christianity ~ Weakness of other worldviews ~ Christ-like ways of communicating the Christian faith

The Apologetics Study Bible for Students will ground Christian students in the truths of Scripture by equipping them with thoughtful and practical responses to difficult and heartfelt challenges to core issues of faith and life. It's the study Bible that will actually help students articulate their faith. Think of it as Christian apologetics 101.

The Features of The Apologetics Study Bible for Students:

• Book Introductions for each of the sixty-six books of the Bible.
• Study Notes provide evidence of the reliability and truthfulness of Scripture.
• 120 Articles written by today's leading Christian thinkers dealing with life's ultimate questions.
• 60 Twisted Scriptures address ways that various religious movements distort Scripture to support doctrine contrary to historic Christian teaching.
• 50 Bones & Dirt features important archaeological discoveries with an apologetics value.
• 50 Notable Quotes from influential people throughout history.
• 25 Tactics will equip students to withstand opposition to Christianity by outlining tactics and strategies for handling frequently heard anti-Christian arguments.
• 20 Personal Stories will encourage and strengthen readers in their faith by describing how God has worked dramatically in people's lives.
• 20 Top Five are bullet point lists that help readers remember significant apologetics topics. 

Contributors include:

Sean McDowell ~ Greg Stier ~ Alison Thomas ~ Dam Kimball ~ and more than 45 others

My Thoughts
After going through the Apologetics Study Bible for Students my first thought was, where was this Bible when my kids were teens? First, it is the version that I enjoy reading and studying from. The HCSB version is easy to understand but also accurate to the original text. 
The next thing that I liked was how easy it is to find what you are looking for. Not only are there thumb tabs on the spine so that you can easily flip to the book you are wanting, there are also indexes in the front that give detailed descriptions so you can turn to the exact portion you are looking for according to topic.
My very favorite thing about this Bible is how interactive it is. While it of course contains the complete text of the Bible, it also has articles throughout that allow the student to learn and absorb the facts pertaining to apologetics. Our kids are increasingly faced with tough situations and questions from nonbelievers and teaching them apologetics is an important part of helping them put on the armor of God.
Did you also know that there is a video based Bible study using the Apologetics Study Bible for Students? It is a 16-week study that can be used with youth groups, Christian or home schools, or as in our case your personal home studies. You can find more about it at www.ApologeticsBible.com