When you think of how the Bible relates to your small group ministry, what are some important factors? For instance, does it matter that the group can understand the words? What about resources — does the perfect Bible need to include practical tools and activities for application? Well, we’ve got good news for you, and we’re not just talking about the Gospel. We’re going to give you the best tips on how to choose a Bible translation for your small groups. Let’s take a look at some options to choose from!
Why Are Translations Important?
Before we tell you about the Bible translations that might be best for you, it’s important to quickly touch on why choosing a Bible translation is important for your entire ministry to reference.
- Consistency. For starters, it keeps everyone on the same page. Whether teaching or learning, it’s important for everyone to be familiar with the same phrases and terms. As translations differ, so will specific words and phrases. It can be easier to understand the Bible when everyone can agree to use the same terminology in discussions and teachings.
- Understanding. Bible translations are most helpful when they provide understanding. It makes all the difference when you can select a translation that is age appropriate and fits’ your ministry’s reading level.
Translations for Adults!
Now that we’ve gone over the ‘why’ let’s get to the ‘which’. When it comes to your adult ministry, here are some Bible translations that we think will work best.
- ESV — The ESV or English Standard Version is a great option for adults because it covers two important factors — accuracy and simplicity. This doesn’t mean that other translations lack accuracy or simplicity however, the English Standard Version was created for those exact two purposes. This means the adults in your ministry can read the ESV translation and lean into reliable accounts of the Bible that are easy to digest.
- NASB — Another option for adults in your ministry is the NASB or New American Standard Bible. It’s beneficial for adults who want less implication and direct, word for word translation. If there are studios individuals or those that aspire to be Bible scholars in your ministry, this could be the Bible for them. The word-for-word translation in the NASB almost begs the reader to study the Bible’s original text for deeper understanding of what was written.
- NKJV — When it comes to adults who connect with beautiful language and stylistic verbiage, the NKJV or New King James Version can be a delight to read. It reads similarly to the the original King James Version but was updated over a span of seven years in order to include most accurate details according to new findings in geography, archeology and linguistics. The New King James Version makes Bible reading poetic for adults who can appreciate the form.
What Does An Ideal Translation Have?
Choosing the best Bible translation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When it comes to the adults you serve, what’s most important is that the Bible is easy to read, easy to understand, and resourceful for applying to their lives. Here are some Bibles you can purchase today that come with helpful tools and resources for your adult ministry.
- Do you know someone who would be interested in studying the Bible in its ESV translation? Suggest a simple ESV Study Bible! This one comes packed with maps, character profiles, fun facts and a glossary section for adults who want simple and accurate Bible reading.
- Remember how we mentioned that the NASB translation is more direct in its translation? Well you may want to introduce the adults in your ministry to the NASB The Grace and Truth Study Bible if you think NASB is the translation for them. This helpful study guide keeps the reader’s attention while also guiding them to include grace and truth in their pursuit of experiencing the Bible more deeply.
- I bet you thought of the perfect poet in your life when we described the NKJV, huh? You’ll be happy to know there’s a study guide for them too! Perhaps they’d enjoy this NKJV study Bible, filled with illustrations, photos, and over a thousand helpful articles to aid in their study of the text.
Conclusion
If deciding how to choose a Bible translation was difficult for you, then we hope these suggestions were helpful! Remember that deciding on a translation can be easy once you can identify the reader and the resources they need to make the Bible understandable and relatable.
