Bible Review: NLT Girls Life Application Study Bible

NLT Girls Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House, 2016, 1568 pages (8 point font).

Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: Ages 9-13

Girls Life Application was originally published in 2006; like the Guys Life Bible, this is a second edition. Though billed as a Study Bible, it leans more toward the “application” part in the title—features tend to be more subjective, inviting girls to picture themselves in “What would you do?” situations. The true study helps are indeed helpful: colorful and informative maps, in-text charts (such as days of creation and the 12 apostles), and a “Foundations” section that outlines the story of Old and New Testaments, presents the Gospel, and offers tips for Bible study and prayer. A Quick Answers index in the front-matter serves as a rudimentary concordance for finding scripture references related to specific topics. One-page or half-page book introductions are standard but helpful, providing a quick Who-What-When-Where and introducing major themes and scripture passages.

Key verses are highlighted (in pink, of course). In-text features include unassuming application notes to help the reader picture herself in the story or think about what the next means for her daily life. “I Survived” stories are actual experiences of older teens that illustrate common temptations and conundrums. “What Now?” features invite readers to picture themselves in various real-life scenarios and determine how they would respond biblically (scripture references provided). Some of these strike me as a tad preachy, and could use a little more theological underpinning.

That could be a weakness of the whole “life application” approach—much emphasis on how we behave and perhaps too little on why, relating to character of God the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. The target readers are still children (tweens), who think in concrete terms and are just beginning to define themselves apart from their parents. So the balance between behaving and being is a little hard to determine at this age. Still, the Girls Life Application NLT offers age-appropriate study helps in a warm and relatable translation.

Overall rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Also at Redeemed Reader:

Resource: It’s not too late to Read the Bible in 2021

Resource: See our Mega-List of Bible Reviews!

Reviews: Transformed by Truth offers teens an advanced course in how to study the Bible for themselves. Exploring the Bible (starred review) is a devotional workbook designed to encourage middle-graders to take independent first steps toward the same.

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