Bible Review: CSB Seven Arrows

CSB Seven Arrows: the How-to-Study Bible for Students. B&H Kids, 2019, 1350 pages (9.5-point font)

Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15

Recommended for: ages 13-18

“Seven Arrows” is an approach to Bible study developed mainly (I think) by Matt Rogers, of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. From that angle, this Bible is well-titled. All in-text features are intended to instruct the reader how to ask seven questions (represented by arrows) meant to get to the meaning and application of the passage. The questions are

• What does the passage say?
• What did it mean to the original audience?
• What does it tell us about God?
• What does it tell us about man?
• What does it demand of me?
• How does it change the way I relate to others?
• How does it prompt me to pray?

Full-page introductions to each book are essay-style, summarizing content and message. Within the text, 150 full-page expositions show how each of the seven arrows can be applied to a single passage. 600 boxes scattered throughout the test show the use of one or two arrows. Though the promotional video claims that the Bible has few notes and commentary, the expositions do verge on commentary, but it’s impossible to answer most of those questions without some degree of individual interpretation.

The Bible reading plan included in the Forward is “unique,” as claimed—topical instead of chronological or canonical. The daily readings are grouped around biblical subjects: four weeks on Creation, four on People, four on the Fall, four on Eternity, etc. Back matter includes the standard 8 maps and a topical concordance. Seven Arrows introduces a valuable study tool, but the presentation may be a little too intrusive for some readers.

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

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