Editor’s Choice
- It is simple yet elegant.
- Famous paintings are placed in various places throughout the Family Bible
- The font is very large and readable
Best Overall
- Its soft leather cover lays flat when open, giving you more access to reading the 11.5-point size text.
- It has a ribbon marker
- The words of Jesus are written in red.
Budget-Friendly
- Has thick pages that are ideal for notetaking
- There is a storage pocket at the back that can hold some documents.
- 10.7-point print size
If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best family Bible is, then I’d recommend NIV, Family Bible (Keepsake Edition) by Zondervan as the best one.
It is an entirely different experience to grow up in a family where faith is nurtured in ways you could imagine. You may have your own Bible while growing up, but it is never the same if you have a Family Bible at home that is meant to be shared with everyone in your family as you grow in faith.
The most incredible legacy you can pass on to your children is a life that has put complete trust and faith in God. But the question is, how? In what ways can it be seen and recorded? Simple, own the best Family Bible.
Here are the Best Family Bibles we’ll be reviewing:
- NIV, Family Bible (Keepsake Edition) by Zondervan
- CSB Family Bible by Holman
- NIV, Our Family Story Bible by Zondervan
- Holman KJV Family Bible by Holman Bible Staff
- DK Illustrated Family Bible by DK Publishing
What Does the Bible Say About Family?
God created us to know what it means to love and be loved. That is why He gave us a family. He designed the family to be a place where we discover who God is. Want to hear some good news? He desires for each family to be healthy.
Each member has a specific role in accomplishing what God has designed a family to be, and it will take us forever to discuss every Bible verse about it. On the other hand, Colossians 3 is quite remarkable.
Apostle Paul in the Bible says that in whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we must do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). It is no coincidence that he stated this command first before saying the roles of each family member in the following verses.
For Fathers
As the head of the family, husbands should love their wives and not be harsh with them (Colossians 3:19). They are to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her (Ephesians 5:25).
A father also must not provoke their children so they will not become discouraged (Colossians 3:21).
For Mothers
God appointed husbands to be the head of the family. Wives should submit themselves to their husbands as if fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18). She must submit not because he deserves it but because he is her husband. To offer means you are part of the team, and this team is your family.
For Children
Children are to obey their parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord (Colossians 3:20). To honor your parents means to love, obey, respect, and not cause them pain. In return, God promises that the children will live in the land that God is giving them (Exodus 20:12). This is the first command in the Bible that has a promise, and it shows how serious God is.
For the Whole Family
We could discuss love on this part, and by tomorrow, we will be done. However, Apostle Paul made it simpler for us in Colossians 3. He says that we are to bear each other by making allowance for each other’s faults. We must forgive one another just as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13).
It is never easy to love one another, right? Especially on days when it’s even harder to love difficult people (aka family members). But remember, how you fulfill your role can either bless or break your family.
What is a Family Bible?
A Family Bible is a giant book that contains scriptures and sections for recording family trees, births, marriages, deaths, and other significant events. It can serve as memorabilia to continue a family’s Godly legacy.
While your faith deepens as a family, it also records special family events or memories. The best thing about Family Bibles is that they can also track your family’s spiritual growth, depending on the features of the Bible you choose.
Purpose of a Family Bible
The primary purpose of having a Family Bible is to help you deepen your relationship with God by understanding His Word together. It serves as your family’s firm foundation because you grow together spiritually.
A Family Bible not only records your spiritual growth but also records the family’s faith-filled history that can stand the test of time. It aims to give you something to look forward to as it carries the values of your loved ones from years ago, making it more and more significant for the years to come for the next generation.
Importance of Getting a Family Bible
A Family Bible records the family’s faith-filled history, making it easier to track the family’s genealogy, too. Through this, you will be able to reminisce memories and remember certain people who will go through your life and make such a significant influence to become who God wants you to be.
One of God’s most beautiful creations is family, so it is essential to have something that will keep the family’s love rooted in God’s Word. Family Bibles intend to establish a more intimate relationship with every member of your household because then, you’ll have your family Bible studies.
Choosing the Best Family Bible
Let’s admit it: extremely good Bibles are not cheap. But if you want your family Bible to be a lifetime investment that preserves family values, you must consider these factors.
Content
A Family Bible with excellent content means good reference material, pictures, and illustrations that make it more enjoyable to read. In addition, it needs to have a readable font and size. Lastly, it should have a lovely family history section that will excite you to fill up.
Durability
You wouldn’t want your Family Bible to last just a few years. So, if you want it to last a very long time, consider its sturdiness.
On the inside, it must have thick paper that is not easily torn down. Its cover should also be durable enough to withstand all weather. Furthermore, it should be made of the best material possible because you want it to last for your grandchildren’s grandchildren.
Bible Translation
When you choose the best family Bible, you should also consider the Scriptures’ translation. You must select a Bible translation that can easily be read and understood by all ages, meaning a kid and even a grandparent can understand it at the same time.
How to Get the Whole Family to Read the Bible?
Reading the Bible as a family will inspire our children to love the Word of God, provide them with an understanding of the sweeping history of redemption from Genesis to Revelation, and show them where they fit in the world. So here’s how to get the whole family inspired by the scriptures.
Establish a good relationship with your family.
First, you must have an intimate relationship with them. Then, make sure you spend enough time with your family so it will be easier for you to lead them to Christ. Love in a family is spelled as T-I-M-E.
Set a specific day and time.
Schedule a day when everyone is available. Everyone should “MAKE” time, not “find” time. Keep in mind that time spent with the family is never wasted.
Have fruitful discussions
Ask open-ended questions. These questions should not be answerable by “yes” or “no.” Search for ways to make everyone present their curiosity. Everyone should also be able to state their insights freely without fearing being judged. Learn when to correct and affirm them.
Explore different learning styles.
Make it enjoyable for the kids, exciting for the children or young adults, and remarkable for the parents. Have ice-breaker questions or games that can get everyone to enjoy the first few minutes of your Bible reading as a family. This part is also your moment to get to know each family member more.
Be intentional
Stay committed to having the whole family read the Bible. If it’s hard to gather everyone daily, make it a weekly habit. Be consistent in leading your own family, being a role model, and being a good follower of Christ. Intentionality goes to everyone, whether you are a parent or a child.
NIV, Family Bible (Keepsake Edition) by Zondervan
The NIV Family Bible (Keepsake Edition) has gold-gilded page edges and features a wonderful 8-page family record station for keeping track of births, marriages, deaths, and other special events. It also has a page for a family tree, making it a treasured family heirloom.
Furthermore, this family Bible is something you could enjoy reading as a whole family. It contains 8-page full-colored Renaissance illustrations of significant stories from the Scriptures. Kids will surely enjoy scanning through the picture illustrations.
Zondervan made sure to publish this NIV Family Bible (Keepsake Edition) with Concordance to guide you through key verses. This family Bible is written clearly in the New International Version (NIV) translation, which is the most popular modern English translation, accurate, and completely readable for all ages.
Pros:
- Its soft leather cover lays flat when open, giving you more access to reading the 11.5-point size text
- It has a ribbon marker
- The words of Jesus are written in red
- This is perfect for giving as a gift
- Its design cover is simple yet elegant
Cons:
- It is heavier than expected, so it is not something you can carry around
CSB Family Bible by Holman
The CSB Family Bible has 20 full-color master paintings that will allow you and your children to enjoy studying the Bible as they grow and mature spiritually. It also has a family presentation page and record station that highlights your family’s legacy.
One of the main features of this Family Bible is Finding God’s Will as a Family by Charles Swindoll. Not only was it translated to be a highly readable and highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), but Holman published it to leave a legacy of faith.
This CSB Family Bible will indeed allow your family to worship God together because this Family Bible has fascinating features that will benefit your family’s life transformation.
Pros:
- It is simple yet elegant
- Famous paintings are placed in various places throughout the Family Bible
- The font is very large and readable
- Has ribbon marker
- Jesus Christ’s words are in red
- References are written at the bottom part of the page
Cons:
- Its cover is white, making it more challenging to maintain because white colors are usually hard to clean or preserve
NIV, Our Family Story Bible by Zondervan
This modernly crafted Zondervan NIV, Our Family Story Bible, keeps track of multiple family memories in the present and the years to come. It has a series of activities that may be quite entertaining for the whole family. Its elegant two-color page design adds to its aesthetics.
Furthermore, it features the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print, which provides smooth reading and offers a more effortless reading experience of the most popular modern-English translation of the Bible, the New International Version (NIV).
This Bible will not only help you spiritually grow as you read God’s Word but also help you document every family member’s growth as a Christian. Its different activities and wide spaces will also keep you entertained as you scan through it.
Pros:
- Has thick pages that are ideal for notetaking
- There is a storage pocket at the back that can hold some documents
- 10.7-point print size
- Has scripture memory verses
- Plenty of space to write some prayers and favorite verses
- Words of Jesus in red
- Has ribbon marker
Cons:
- Its design may not fit the liking of some adults
Holman KJV Family Bible by Holman Bible Staff
If you want something that looks like your grandparents’ Bible from years ago, this Holman KJV Family Bible is undoubtedly for you. This will give you a sense of belongingness as it speaks of a familiar faith that is simple yet so strong.
The Holman KJV Bible also features Finding God’s Will as a Family by Charles Swindoll, making it more personal for a family. In addition, it has a presentation page and a 15-page family record station that will excite you to fill everything up.
However, due to the enormous, full-colored 20 paintings of the Masters, it might be overwhelming for readers to read the scriptures in the three-column format. Also, the picture illustrations inside this Bible might stick the pages together.
This King James Version (KJV) translated Bible is supposed to guide you to a more in-depth understanding of God’s Word. If you want to read the Bible on a different level as a family, I’d certainly recommend this one.
Pros:
- Lovely full-colored paintings inside
- Its cover is padded
- Words of Christ in red
- Has a lot of family record station
Cons:
- Its cover is color white, so it is hard to maintain
- The three-column format may be complex to read and understand for people who have poor eyesight
- The pages stuck together
DK Illustrated Family Bible by DK Publishing
This beautiful DK Illustrated Family Bible is for children ages 7 to 11. The best part is that its content is educational for all ages. The information written inside is easy to understand. You might even find yourself scanning through this Bible if you have questions regarding some Bible stories.
If you are looking for a beautiful way to begin your children’s Biblical faith foundation and, simultaneously, for your visual reference, this might be the best Bible for your family to buy. Not only does it hold wonderful layouts and remarkable pieces of art, but it is also translated based on the New International Version edition.
Furthermore, its maps, historical illustrations, and references are accurate. This Bible will inspire young readers and families to read daily, whether at dinner or bedtime. Beautiful stories like Noah’s Ark, Samson and the Lion, the Birth of Jesus, the Tower of Babel, and so on are all illustrated inside this Family Bible.
Pros:
- Excellent quality pictures
- Font size is suitable for kids
- There are short passages and explanations at the end of each story
- It includes original illustrations and artifacts from the Old and New Testament
Cons:
- It may not be applicable to all ages
- It does not contain any family record station
Conclusion
As cliche as it may sound, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” No one is born godly. Instead, they are raised in a home that is rooted in God’s love. To understand God’s love, we must be able to read His Word first.
One way to start intentionally discipling your own family is to spend time with them by reading the Bible together. That is why it is essential to have a family Bible that will ignite the fire in their hearts to serve God. They know they will also continue a great legacy passed to them when they use it.
The NIV Family Bible (Keepsake Edition) by Zondervan has all the best features a Family Bible needs. It is fully functional yet aesthetically pleasing. Content-wise, you can clearly read the Bible because of its large font, and its translation is easily understandable by all ages. Its heaviness makes it sturdy, so you’ll know for sure that it will last you for a very long time. Finally, its overall design and content are appropriate for all ages.
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