Bible Review: NKJV Color Code

The Color Code Bible uses different colors to highlight passages reflecting seven major Bible themes, which may help readers keep those themes in mind.

NKJV Color Code Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2016, 1344 pages

Recommended for: ages 6-10

Color Code might best be described as a limited study Bible. The introduction is a whopping 65 pages, starting with a brief explanation of the Bible groups (books of Moses/law, history, poetry, etc.), followed by introductions to the men who wrote the Bible. These are all according to traditional scholarship, which attributes the Torah to Moses, Judges and Ruth to Samuel, Proverbs to Solomon, most of the Psalms to David, etc. An explanation of each color theme, starting with “God,” serves as an overview of the Bible story arc, as well as why you should read it.

Then we get into the text itself. Each book receives a standard introduction, naming the author, time of writing, key verses and major themes. Important passages in the text are highlighted according to one of seven Bible themes: gold for statements about God, red for Jesus, navy for sin, purple for heaven, green for spiritual growth, blue for prayer or praise, and orange for cleansing and new life. The appendix includes four reading plans, a scriptural index for each color, four full-color maps, and note pages for listing favorite hymns, scripture passages, and Bible stories. Also favorite books, movies, foods, and pets, which I guess help personalize the Bible. There are no pictures.

It’s an interesting approach that will be helpful to some (and certainly colorful!). To parents, it may seem a bit rigid, as some of these highlighted passages may fall under more than one color scheme. One big advantage is keeping the major themes of the word in constant view, which should make them hard to forget.

Value: 4 (out of 5)

To browse our earlier reviews, click The Good Book under the Reviews tab, or type “Bible Reviews” in the search box on the right side of this page.  For a particular  translation, type “Bible Reviews” followed by the translation initials (NIV, NIrV, ESV, NKJV, etc).

Our Comparison of Bible Translation

Choosing Your Child’s First REAL Bible: Some Considerations

 

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Janie Cheaney

Janie is the VERY senior staff writer for Redeemed Reader, as well as a long-time contributor to WORLD Magazine and an author of nine books for children. The rest of the time she's long-distance smooching on her four grandchildren (not an easy task). She lives with her equally senior husband of almost-fifty years in the Ozarks of Missouri.

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