We’ve curated some of the best Bibles on the market for tweens and teens in this article.
With our tips and recommendations, we hope to help you find an engaging and trustworthy Bible translation, as well as, help you encourage your tween or teen begin reading it on his/her own. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is alive and active.” Pray that God would do what he promised in your teen and the Holy Spirit would give them clarity as they read His word.
What makes a Tween/Teen Bible good?
It’s a difficult balance to engage teens without watering down God’s Word to the point of being merely a motivational message. Although there are many different versions of the Bible to speak our teen’s language, our choices only include ones like the NIV that remain closer to the original text.
While we feel it is important to have a version that accurately communicates the Bible’s original text, we do love the use of fonts, graphics and devotionals to engage teens. Our picks are culturally relevant in this aspect while still remaining faithful to the original text.
How can parents be engaged in their teen’s faith journey?
With small children you can read them the Bible and help set aside time for them to be in God’s word. If you ask your teen if they’ve read their Bible today, you will likely be met with eye rolls and sighs.
Just like they are beginning to develop independence in most life skills, this is also the age where they start owning their faith. I know it’s hard, but you want this! Here are a few ways to be involved in their faith journey without being “that” parent.
Keep it front and center
Sometimes in the flurry of teen activity, the Bible gets buried under papers, clothes or even under the bed. Vacuuming is my safe excuse for being in my teen’s room. It also grants me a little freedom to help pick up. Before I leave, I like to set the Bible in a visually appealing place, on a desk or nightstand. Please do not misunderstand my intent on this one. I am not snooping or prying. While ensuring mold does not grow in their space, I take the opportunity to non-verbally remind them God’s Word is available to them.
Text them
Our teens text a lot. This is their language and how they most often communicate. I love to use this avenue to occasionally send them an uplifting Scripture. Type in any verse in Google, then click on images. You will likely find tons of really cool, visually appealing designs of the verse. Send them one. This is such a great way to encourage your teen without being preachy. Note the word occasionally – not daily and as unpredictably as possible is even more effective!
There’s an app for that!
As the world continues to go paperless, I’ve noticed this even applies to bringing your Bible to church. A growing majority just have their Bibles on their phones. While I still firmly believe in owning paper books, I do know your teen is likely not going to tote a Bible to school and maybe not even to church. You never know when they are going to have something come up in their day where they want to turn to God’s Word. Make sure they have a Bible app on their phone. Their phone is always with them and with an app the Bible will be too!
Be there
It sounds cliché, but one of the best ways to help your teen grow in their faith is by simply being present. Teens are incredibly unpredictable, from emotions to schedules, you never know when they may want to talk or ask for life advice. Being a presence in their life that is engaged and a place where they know they are safe and loved will open the door for deeper conversation.
9 Must-Have Tween and Teen Bibles
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Study Bible (Top Pick)
Quest Study Bible for Teens, NIV
The Quest Teen Bible is not specifically geared towards a gender, rather for any teen wanting to dig deeper into God’s Word. It has over 7,000 side notes, 360 articles and plenty of teen insight. This would be our top pick for a teen really wanting to study and learn.
Bibles for Girls
NIV, Bible for Teen Girls, Hardcover: Growing in Faith, Hope, and Love
This teen Bible is a #1 Bestseller on Amazon. With fun, pretty fonts and graphics, in addition to the complete text, this NIV Bible highlights the promises of God scripture verses. It features character profiles of women in the Bible, book introductions and even devo’s by Christian authors. This is a Bible designed to help your girl grow in her faith
NIV, Beautiful Word Coloring Bible, Hardcover: Hundreds of Verses to Color
This Bible is such an amazing idea! Perfect for the artsy girl, this color Bible features the original text with hundreds of verses to color and blank space to doodle. This Bible encourages meditation on God’s word through it’s scripture art. Purchase a set of color pencils to go with this Bible for the perfect gift.
Faith Girlz NIV Bible
Perfect for the Tween or younger Teen, this Bible emphasizes God made you unique and special. In addition to the full, original text, there are many engaging extras. Bible verses to memorize, trivia, personality quizzes to see what Bible characters you are most like and loads of relatability will resonate with this age group as they grow closer to God.
NIV Thinline Bible for Teens, Leathersoft, Blue
This Bible has a sleek design without all the girly fuss. Less than an inch thick, the print is still easy on the eyes. This original text is a great option for on the go, travel or someone who doesn’t want a lot of the extras.
Bibles for Guys
NIV Bible for Teen Guys, Hardcover: Building Faith, Wisdom and Strength
This teen Bible designed for guys is similar to the girl’s version with book introductions and devos by Christian authors like Max Lucado. It also highlights the scripture promises of God. This Bible is designed to help your guy as he is learning to become a man of God.
NIV, Teen Study Bible
This compact Bible strikes the perfect balance between size and rich features. The sleek design will definitely appeal to older teens. In addition to the Bible text, it also offers a big picture view of each book, Bible promises, and a Q&A to test their Bible knowledge.
NIV, Revolution Bible, Leathersoft, Blue: The Bible for Teen Guys
This Bible is designed for a little older teen with Biblical perspectives on cultural topics. With over 200 “Be the Change” articles, this original text Bible is packed full of Biblically based extras. A great feature is the Christianity and Belief’s 101 which is sure to help your guy have a deeper understanding of his faith.
NIV Teen Study Bible, Compact, Leathersoft, Brown
This is a great option for the guy who does not like a lot of fuss. Simple and compact this is the perfect Bible to carry to church or a Bible study. Despite its simplicity, this Bible packs a lot of punch for its size. In addition to the complete text, this Bible includes maps, topical index, book overviews, Bible promises and advice perfect for the teen deepening his faith.
One last thing!
Parenting tweens/teens is a hard job. Thankfully God does not call us to do this alone. We have Him. When the parenting journey gets tough remind yourself this is His child, created in His image. Pray daily for their protection, relationships and that God would draw them closer to Him.
One of my favorite quotes on prayer is by Dr. Peter Kreeft.
“I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers to God make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those effects down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives.”
Your prayers for your teen matter!
More Christ-Centered Resources for Families
7 Excellent Bibles for Children
You may also want to check out our very popular post about 7 Excellent Children’s Bibles (and How to Avoid All the Bad Ones).
Resources for How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex
We’ve created a whole landing page with excellent Christian resources for talking to your tween and teen (and younger children) about Biblical sexuality and pornography. We hope you find it helpful.
Book Review: One Year of Dinner Table Devotions
An easy-to-use devotional that will work for the whole family in just 5 minutes or so. Read full review here.
About the Author
Katie Bangert is a wife, mother, unapologetic book lover and nature enthusiast. Published in five Chicken Soup for the Soul books, she somehow turned a marketing degree into a passion for writing and children’s education. She hopes to inspire her readers to find the blessings hiding within the everyday.
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