Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they succeed. Proverbs 6:22
Typically, I prefer a purer reading experience, such as a basic reference edition with fewer distractions, and as a result, I’ve never been a fan of Study Bibles. I always found the additional study aids more of a hindrance than a benefit. However, there are times when I need more context to understand specific passages. This is where a good study Bible becomes a much-needed resource, and the Life Application Study Bible (LASB) fills that need better than most.
There are over 10,000 Application notes. The notes help make scripture more relevant and assist you in applying scripture to your daily life. Approximately 75% of the notes are application leaning, with the remaining being various explanatory notes.
Example note types: from the book of Mark: Left – Application/ Right – Explanatory.
The Life Application Study Bible (LASB) uses various formats to bring the underlying message of Scripture to modern readers. Below is a summarized list of those formats:
Book introductions for every book. The book introductions are divided into different forms, such as Timeline, Vital Statistics, Overview, Blueprint, Megathemes, and Map.
Timeline: gives dates and historical settings, Vital Statistics: lists main facts, Overview: provides a summary of each book. Blueprint: is an outline, Megathemes: basically the main themes, Map: gives key locations.
Book Outlines are listed before each book. The outline has three levels of headings marked by letters and numbers and appears as additional section headings throughout the text.
Over 100 key Character Profiles are located throughout the text, highlighting key people, noting their strengths and weaknesses, and other facts.
More than 500 Intext maps and charts. Maps and charts are located in the introductions and are placed near relevant portions of scripture to aid in comprehension by giving you a visual of the locations. Basically, the Life Application Study Bible includes a built-in Bible Atlas. In addition, there are approximately 16 full colored maps located at the back.
Cross References are placed inside the inner margins and located close to relevant verses. Textual Notes for the NLT are located at the bottom of the text; however, the only notes in the KJV are archaic word definitions, which appear rather extensive. For instance, I counted approximately 95 word definitions in the book of Galatians.
Section Headings: are printed in a darker font in italics, which identify the subject of passages throughout the text. The numbers accompanying the headings in the Gospels are coded to a list of the Harmony of the Gospels. Also included is a Harmony for the books of Kings and Chronicles.
Master Bible Index and Dictionary Concordance. The Index in the back allows you to locate pertinent information throughout this edition by giving verse numbers and page locations. The Dictionary Concordance defines words and gives verse locations.
Both hardcover and softcover editions lie rather flat at the front and back.
Layout: I like the layout of this edition, and I find the appearance pleasant to the eye. It features a single-column paragraph layout with side column references in the inner margins. In comparison with many study editions, the outer margin spacing is generous. The study notes are set in two columns and positioned at the bottom of the page. The main text size is listed as 8.5pt, so I estimate that the notes and references are probably around 5-6pt.
A two-color design.
This is a two-color print edition — three colors if you take into account the words of Christ in red — with the main color black for the text, green for the accent color in the NLT, and blue for the KJV. There are two shades of green (NLT) and blue (KJV), with a lighter shade used for the shadow-boxed content (diagrams and charts, etc.) and a darker shade for accents, such as numbers, certain text, and other boxes. The simplicity of the two colors is just enough to draw you in without becoming a distraction.
The printing in both editions is dark and consistent. The red text in the KJV edition is slightly redder than pink.
Dimensions of the softcover: Textblock: 9 1/8” x 6.5” x 1-13/16”, Outside: 9.5” x 6 ¾” x 2”.
The print, paper, and construction are equal to most other Study Editions, and I believe the biggest standout is the design and structure of the layout— the Application Study System. The 3rd edition has a sewn text block, which feels great in the hand. I appreciate the paper, and the print is consistent. My main issue is with the print size and the lack of opacity of the paper. I do like the paper, the appearance, and especially the feel of this paper, although ….
A heavier paper with better line matching might help alleviate the bleed-through issue. And maybe a brighter white paper, if used, would create more contrast by making the print stand out on the page. I also believe Tyndale needs to tweak the font, like Thomas Nelson and Zondervan did with the Comfort Print fonts.
Of course, I would prefer a larger print for my aging eyes, and, yes, I do know that Tyndale has large print editions, but I find those too thick to carry.
At the Front: Presentation page, Family Tree, and Personal Memories. Title page, Copyright page, Contents, Books of the Bible, Note to Readers, Introduction to NLT/KJV Translation, NLT Bible Translation Team, Contributors, Why Life Application SB is Unique, Features of the Life Application Study Bible.
At the Back: Table of Weights, Measures, and Coins, A Christian Workers Resource, 365 Day Reading Plan, Master Index, Index to Charts, Index to Maps, Index to Personality Profiles, Dictionary Concordance, Bible Maps.
The binding is imitation leather with vinyl liners and end sheets. The appearance of the imitation leather gives the impression of real leather, and it’s in line with other market editions, but it doesn’t feel like genuine leather. The Hardcover has decorative paper liners, which are a nice touch. Sadly, there is only one thin Bible ribbon in the softcover, with no ribbon in the hardcover.
The Life Application Study Bible is probably my favorite study edition. If I could only have one, then this would probably be it. I think for a single edition, it has the most useful information available; the notes contain just the right balance of application and explanatory information. The Life Application Study Bible is designed to give a structured overview of the Bible. Whether or not you are a seasoned reader or just beginning your exploration of the scriptures, this edition serves as an invaluable resource for learning and applying biblical principles. In summary … owning the LASB is equivalent to having access to a team of Biblical counsellors.
The Life Application Study Bible contains the Old and New Testaments, and it’s available in multiple translations: NLT, KJV, NIV, and NKJV (Large Print). It can be purchased here:
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