• Start the year in Scripture

    ByKristin books, faith, review
    8 Comments

    Bible study has truly transformed my life. While studying Scripture, I’ve grown closer to God, understood what it means to live like Jesus, and developed deeper friendships with other women. 

    With a new year starting, I have some new plans for studying the Bible this year. My Precept group just started a study on Joshua. I’m excited to dive into Joshua’s story, which is ultimately God’s story, and learn more about that time in history and what it means for me today. I’m also reading through The Bible Recap. I have Tara-Leigh Cobble’s book, but I’m really loving it on the Bible app. 

    I’m excited to add the CSB Women’s Study Bible to my stack of resources. I already have Joshua bookmarked!

    About the Bible

    Created by a team of women who love Scripture and want to help you engage meaningfully, this Bible is packed with verse-by-verse study notes, word studies,

    profiles of women in the Bible, devotional content, and tools to help you live out

    what you’re learning. The CSB Women’s Study Bible is a robust, full-color study Bible that features helpful study notes, timelines, maps, and more on the same page as the biblical text they reference.

    Specifically, there are more than 8,000 study notes, 96 profiles of important Christians throughout church history, more than 180 closer looks for background and insights, more than 70 word studies of key words, 34 articles expanding on important topics, book introductions, more than 30 charts, and more than 25 maps.

    Truly, it’s a beautiful Bible packed with extra resources. Learn more and order your own copy at Amazon or the publisher’s website. It was officially released on New Year’s Day. 

    Giveaway

    And I want to share! I’m giving away a beautiful floral hardcover version of the CSB Women’s Study Bible. Please leave a comment about your Bible study plans for the new year. One U.S. resident will be randomly chosen on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

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    There are lots of excellent Bibles out there. Here are some I’ve reviewed:

    Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing copies of the CSB Women’s Study Bible for reviewing and sharing. Opinions are 100 percent my own. God authors the stories in every season of our lives. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to  #PorchStories emails to receive them about every other week.

  • The study Bible to keep near

    ByKristin books, faith, giveaway
    19 Comments

    Since 2015, I’ve studied the Bible through Precept studies with groups of women. Through these studies, I’ve learned to study inductively, appreciated word studies to bring deeper context to scriptures, and gleaned so much truth from Pastor David Guzik’s commentaries. 

    Other than the women who have walked through scripture and life with me, the BlueLetterBible app has been the best Bible study tool. That app is where I learned about David Guzik’s Enduring Word verse-by-verse commentary. When I saw the new Enduring Word Study Bible, I was thrilled and immediately shared it with my best Bible study friends. 

    Based on Guzik’s commentaries, this NKJV study Bible provides so much insight right alongside the Word of God itself. Features include introductions exploring key themes of every book of the Bible, study notes to help you explore the meaning of every chapter of Scripture, 400 application notes to help you live in light of God’s Word, 50 articles offering a deeper exploration of key topics throughout Scripture, and a concordance with more than 200 word studies.

    My group is finishing up our study of Galatians, and I’m excited to have this study Bible nearby to reference as I dig deeper into God’s Word and apply it to my life. 

    About the Bible

    The Enduring Word Study Bible invites you to experience the transforming power of Scripture with pastoral and practical commentary for every chapter of the Bible from pastor and Bible teacher David Guzik. His insights equip you to apply biblical teaching to your life, guide you through challenging topics, and strengthen you to navigate the storms of life with confidence and joy.

    This NKJV Bible officially publishes this week (Nov. 11, 2025) by Thomas Nelson. Like all things, you can purchase your copy on Amazon in hardcover or soft leather. Learn more about the publisher’s website. 

    About the author & editor

    David Guzik is a pastor, Bible teacher, and author of the Bible commentary used by millions at EnduringWord.com. David has been in Christian service for more than 40 years, including two church plants and more than seven years as a missionary in Germany, where he was director and teacher at Calvary Chapel Bible College. David and his wife Inga-Lill have three adult children and three grandchildren.

    Giveway

    And I have one brown leather version of the Enduring Word Study Bible to share with one of y’all. Share in the comments one of your favorite Bible study tools between now and Sunday, Nov. 16. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. 

    Other resources

    In the photo, you’ll see some other Bible study resources I love, so I wanted to share some other tools, if you’re looking for ways to enhance your time in God’s Word.

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    Many thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing for providing this Bible for my review & giveaway. Opinions are 100 percent my own.

  • The beauty of studying God’s Word

    ByKristin books
    4 Comments

    In 2015, I began studying the Bible with some acquaintances, and doing so truly changed my life. One friend invited me. I recognized others because our kids went to school together. I essentially never left that every-other-Thursday-morning study. 

    Groups changed, friendships were deepened, COVID-19 protocols interrupted us, and groups multiplied. All because we studied the Word of God together. My closest friends are the product of this Bible study that has cycled through many different expository studies and a few topical ones. 

    I have since accidentally become a leader of a different group of women who meet every other Thursday morning to study. My other dear friends lead other groups, but we are rooted together because we grew closer to Jesus and each other around those circular tables. We have the text thread of testimonies to prove it. 

    I’m excited to add the Alexander Maclaren Study Bible to my stack of resources as I continue studying God’s Word and drawing nearer to Jesus. My friends and I recently started a Precept Upon Precept study of Galatians. I especially love the introductions to each of the 66 books of the Bible, study notes, and life applications. I also like comparing the NKJV translation to my usual ESV. 

    About the Bible

    Alexander Maclaren Study Bible includes uplifting, clear, and Christ-centered insights from the “Prince of Expositors.” Few preachers in the nineteenth century rivaled Alexander Maclaren, who was considered one of the best preachers of his era, acclaimed for offering remarkable biblical insights in a poetic style.

    The Alexander Maclaren Study Bible invites you to learn from his powerful insights as you explore the Scriptures. Study notes drawn from his more than 1,500 published sermons illuminate every chapter of the Bible. 

    Other features include book introductions exploring each book’s background and key themes with insights from Maclaren’s work; 1,400 study notes that cover every chapter of the Bible; 380 Christ Connection notes showing the relevance of Christ to all scripture; 380 Life Application notes to help you live out the Bible’s principles; 209 Passage Outlines based on Maclaren’s sermon outlines; and eight essays addressing major doctrines of Scripture, personal devotion to Christ, and how to properly apply the Bible to your life; comprehensive concordance and index of features; bottom of page study notes; and center-column cross-references.

    Learn more about it in this promo video, at the Bible’s website, or at Amazon.

    About the preacher

    Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Feb. 11, 1826, Alexander Maclaren was the pastor of Union Chapel in Manchester, England, from 1858–1903. Heralded as the “Prince of

    Expositors,” he is considered by many to be one of the best preachers of the 19th

    century. The popularity of Maclaren’s published sermons helped him develop global acclaim for remarkable biblical insights delivered in a poetic style. Maclaren’s works continue to be read and studied due to their timeless relevance, verbal beauty, and profound freshness.

    Giveaway

    I am so happy I get to share this lovely Bible with one of you! Just leave a comment about how a Bible like this would enhance your study time. I will randomly choose a winner on Friday, Sept. 5. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. 

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    Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing the Bible to review and to share in the giveaway. Opinions are 100% my own. Other resources I love in the included picture: Precept Upon Precept studies and Christ-Centered Exposition commentaries.


    God authors the stories on our porches and wherever we go. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive #PorchStories emails about every other week.