Hey beautiful friends,
I need to share something with you that has completely transformed my Bible reading experience. If you’ve been following my journey toward more consistent time in God’s Word, you know it’s been a process – lots of good intentions, some false starts, and plenty of grace along the way.
But then I discovered the NLT Every Woman’s Bible, and honestly, it changed everything for me. I know that might sound dramatic, but I’m not exaggerating when I say this Bible has made God’s Word come alive in ways I never expected.
Let me tell you why this has become my go-to Bible and why I think it might be exactly what you’ve been looking for too.
What Makes This Bible Different
Every Woman’s Bible doesn’t shy away from the questions women ask. In these pages, active and impactful women of yesterday and today share age-old truths with modern relevance. Contributions from more than 100 women around the world—from every continent—explore the heartfelt needs, gritty challenges, and uncommon faithfulness of women of the Bible, throughout history, and today.
From the moment I opened this Bible, I could tell it was created specifically with women like us in mind. Not in a patronizing way, but in a way that acknowledges the unique questions, struggles, and perspectives we bring to Scripture.
Here’s what immediately caught my attention:
Written by Women, for Women: Powerful features by 90 women from around the world and from all walks of life – Insightful devotionals and study notes, all created by female scholars and writers This isn’t just a regular Bible with pink covers – the actual content, study notes, and devotionals are written by women who understand our hearts and experiences.
Addresses Real Questions: You know those passages that make you pause and think, “But what about women? How does this apply to me?” This Bible doesn’t avoid those difficult passages. Instead, it dives into them with wisdom and grace.
Beautiful and Practical: The full-color design is absolutely gorgeous, but it’s not just pretty – it’s functional. The layout makes it easy to read and study, whether you’re using it for personal quiet time or bringing it to Bible study.
The Features That Won My Heart
Study Notes That Actually Help
I’ve tried other study Bibles before, and honestly, sometimes the notes felt either too academic or too surface-level. But the study notes in this Bible strike the perfect balance. They’re deep enough to make me think but accessible enough that I don’t feel like I need a theology degree to understand them.
Based on my review of most general audience evangelical study Bibles, Tyndale seems to have the most pro-woman notes. Sadly, this is only available in the current New Living Translation (a revision of the NLT is underway); nevertheless, it has the best notes in any women’s Bible I have reviewed.
The notes address questions like:
- How do we understand difficult passages about women in their historical context?
- What can we learn from the often-overlooked women of the Bible?
- How do biblical principles apply to modern women’s lives and challenges?
Devotionals That Speak to Real Life
Throughout the Bible, there are devotional pieces written by women from every continent and every walk of life. These aren’t fluffy inspiration pieces – they’re honest, gritty, and real. I’ve read devotionals about:
- Handling disappointment when life doesn’t turn out like you planned
- Finding your identity beyond your roles as wife and mother
- Dealing with difficult relationships and forgiveness
- Navigating seasons of doubt and questioning
The Women of the Bible Come Alive
The annotations for 4: 4 mention that “woman of Lappidoth” in Hebrew might not be the name of a husband but could be describing Deborah as a “fiery woman.” (It could also be the name of her hometown.) The rest of the notes center the women of the story much more than in other study Bibles
One of my favorite things about this Bible is how it highlights and explains the stories of biblical women in ways I’d never considered before. For example, learning about Deborah not just as a judge, but understanding the cultural significance of her leadership and how it challenges assumptions about women’s roles.
The Filament App: A Game-Changer
Access to the innovative Filament Bible app, linking you to additional notes, articles, videos, interactive maps, and worship music that illuminate the page of Scripture you’re reading
This is where things get really exciting. The Bible comes with access to the Filament app, which connects to the pages you’re reading and provides:
- 25,000+ study notes by more than 40 scholars offering a deeper understanding of what you’re reading
- Audio Bibles (including versions read by women’s voices!)
- Videos that explain background and context
- Interactive maps
- Worship music
For no additional cost, purchase, size or weight, you will have access to a wealth of information and resources from the very page you are reading without cluttering up your Bible.
As a busy mom, I love that I can dive deeper when I have time, or just read the text when I only have a few minutes. The app doesn’t make the Bible feel overwhelming – it just enhances whatever level of study you’re able to do.
Why the NLT Translation Works for Me
I know some people have strong preferences about Bible translations, and that’s okay! But I love the New Living Translation for several reasons:
It’s Clear and Readable: I don’t have to stop and puzzle over archaic language or confusing sentence structures. The meaning comes through clearly, which is especially helpful when I’m tired or distracted.
It’s Accurate: The NLT team includes respected scholars, and they work hard to balance accuracy with readability.
It’s Accessible: Whether I’m reading to myself or aloud to my kids, the language flows naturally and makes sense in modern context.
How It’s Changed My Bible Reading
I Look Forward to Reading: Instead of Bible reading feeling like something I “should” do, I genuinely look forward to seeing what insights I’ll discover. The devotionals and study notes make every reading session feel fresh.
I See Myself in Scripture: The women contributors help me see how biblical truths apply to my specific challenges as a woman, wife, and mom in today’s world.
I Have Better Conversations: When difficult passages come up in Bible study or conversations with friends, I feel more equipped to discuss them thoughtfully because I’ve worked through them with the help of wise women’s perspectives.
I Understand Context Better: The background information and cultural context provided help me understand not just what passages say, but why they were written and how they would have been understood by the original audience.
Who This Bible Is Perfect For
If you’re new to Bible study: The clear translation and helpful notes make this accessible for beginners without being condescending.
If you’ve been hurt by church or struggled with passages about women: This Bible addresses difficult passages with grace and wisdom, helping you work through questions rather than avoiding them.
If you’re leading a women’s Bible study: The diverse perspectives and discussion-worthy content make this perfect for group study.
If you want to go deeper but don’t have time for extensive research: The built-in study helps and app resources let you study as deeply as your schedule allows.
If you love beautiful things: This Bible is honestly gorgeous. It’s a joy to look at and hold, which makes the reading experience more pleasant.
A Few Honest Considerations
Price Point: This is definitely more expensive than a basic Bible, but when I consider what I’m getting – the study notes, devotionals, app access, and beautiful design – I think it’s worth the investment. This combination makes this the highest value women’s study Bible on the market.
Translation Preference: If you strongly prefer a different translation (ESV, NASB, etc.), this might not be for you. But if you’re open to the NLT or looking for a good study Bible in an accessible translation, this is fantastic.
App Dependency: While the Filament app is amazing, some people might prefer a Bible that’s complete without needing technology. You can definitely use this Bible without the app, but you’d be missing out on some great resources.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using this Bible for about eight months now, and it’s become my primary Bible for personal study. Here’s what a typical reading session looks like for me:
I’ll read the day’s passage in the main text, then check if there are any study notes or devotionals on those pages. If something particularly interests or confuses me, I’ll open the Filament app to see if there are additional resources. Sometimes I’ll listen to the audio version while I’m getting ready in the morning, or I’ll look up maps and videos when I want to understand the historical context better.
The combination of the beautiful physical Bible and the digital resources means I can study at whatever level my time and energy allow on any given day.
Where to Find It
You can find the NLT Every Woman’s Bible in several formats – hardcover, leatherlike covers in different colors, and even digital versions. I have the leatherlike version in soft gold, and it’s held up beautifully to daily use.
You can find it at most Christian bookstores, online at Christianbook.com, Amazon, or directly from Tyndale. Prices vary, but expect to invest around $50-75 depending on the format you choose.
The Heart Behind My Recommendation
I’m sharing this because I know how hard it can be to find Bible study resources that speak to us as women without being cheesy or oversimplified. Every Woman’s Bible is designed so that each woman reading it can discover for herself how much God loves her.
This Bible has helped me fall in love with God’s Word in a fresh way. It’s reminded me that the Bible isn’t just an ancient book – it’s a living document that speaks directly to the challenges and joys of being a woman today.
God is not resting from reaching out to everyone in the world, this Bible demonstrates that He is present and moving; As Romans 2:11 reminds us: ‘For God does not show favoritism’, His presence is meant for you.
My Encouragement to You
If you’ve been struggling to connect with Scripture, or if you’re looking for a fresh perspective on familiar passages, I’d encourage you to consider this Bible. It’s not perfect (no study Bible is), but it’s been such a gift to me in my journey of growing closer to Jesus.
Whether you choose this Bible or another one, the most important thing is that you’re spending time in God’s Word regularly. He meets us wherever we are, with whatever Bible we have, in whatever season of life we’re in.
But if you’re looking for a Bible that will help you see yourself in God’s story and understand His heart for women throughout history and today, the NLT Every Woman’s Bible might just be the perfect companion for your journey.
What questions do you have about this Bible? Have you tried it, or are there other study Bibles that have been meaningful to you? I’d love to hear about your experience and continue this conversation.
Here’s to discovering our place in God’s beautiful story, Mish
P.S. If you decide to get this Bible, I’d love to hear what you think! It’s so encouraging to connect with other women who are passionate about studying God’s Word together.
