Category: Tyndale Bible Update

We love being able to partner with incredible ministries like WayFM to help get God’s Word into the hands and hearts of people wanting to better understand who God is and his purpose for their lives. Through our WayFM partnership thousands of our HelpFinder Bibles have been sent out to help people go deeper into Scripture and easily find answers to some life’s toughest questions.

We hope you are as encouraged by Pastor Chad’s words as we are.

by Pastor Chad, Director of Ministries at WayFM

An incredible ministry that we have at WayFM Radio is our Free Bible Ministry, which exists because of our partnership with Tyndale. One of the encouraging elements of this ministry is that we ask people why they need a Bible. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, but almost every week I am amazed by the varying reasons.

Here are a few reasons from last month:

“My husband, our two children, and I are starting over from scratch after getting out of my family’s toxic home, and I’m not able to get anything from the house, including my Bible. I know I can get a Bible on my phone, but that comes with distractions and I want to give all my attention to God.” Mariah, Panama City, FL

“Mom sent me to my first church camp this summer. Camp Fuego in Louisiana. It was amazing. I came home on fire for Christ. Unfortunately, my Bible has 9 missing books at the back of it. Not sure how it got damaged. Mom says the Word is like food for my soul. Can you send me some ‘food’? My soul is hungry. I am 14 years old.” Billy, Sherman, TX

“I want to start my own spiritual walk with God. As a person raised by Wiccans, I never felt their beliefs reflected who I was, and buying a Bible by myself is a difficult thing to do, including going to church.” Tara, Shelby, MI

“I was homeless and addicted to heroin. I listen to your station and it gives me hope and I have become closer to the Lord! I would like to learn more, but money is really rough right now.” Amy, Louisville, KY

“It’s been too long since I’ve read or studied God’s Word. WayFM has inspired a tugging in my heart to grow closer to God and to learn more about Jesus.” James, Anna, TX

Each month, we gather a group of supporters, listeners, and staff to prepare the Bibles to mail out. Before each Bible mailing, we read many of the stories from the current list and pray that the power of God’s Word will impact the recipients in great ways.

Let us remember the words of Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

The HelpFinder Bible includes an extensive topical index that addresses life’s questions, needs, and concerns. It enables you to quickly and easily find the help you need in God’s Word. Read an expert from the HelpFinder Bible.

Sometimes the noise of life makes it difficult for us to hear God. Maybe we feel he has disconnected himself from us because we’ve let him down, or maybe we don’t feel worthy enough to be in a relationship with him. God loves to be in conversations with his people. He invites us to talk with him. But how does God do that? “How does he communicate with me?” The HelpFinder Bible can help us find answers to questions like this.

Taken from the HelpFinder Bible

The opportunity to communicate with one another has never been easier—from smartphones to the Internet, from e-mail to video conferencing, we are always working to improve our ability to communicate. Why? Because communication is not just important, but essential. We like to keep in touch because it is vital to the quality and success of any relationship, whether it is marriage, friendship, family, or business. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. To know him we must communicate with him, and we must learn to listen as he communicates with us. Only then will we experience a breakthrough in our spiritual lives. The more time we spend communicating with him, the closer and more successful our relationship with him will be. When was the last time you felt in touch with God? How much time do you spend communicating with him?

How does God communicate with me?

• 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 | All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

God communicates with you through his Word, the Bible. Read it daily to keep in touch with him.

• JOHN 1:14 | So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
• HEBREWS 1:1-2 | Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.

God communicates with you through his Son, Jesus Christ. Talk with him often in your day.

• JOHN 14:26 | “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
• ROMANS 8:16 | For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

God communicates with you through his Holy Spirit. Pay special attention to the way he speaks to your heart and spirit.

• JOHN 8:9 | When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.
• ROMANS 2:14-15 | Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

God communicates with you through your conscience, which is your God-given internal radar to help you know right from wrong. Always listen to your conscience. If you neglect it, it will become dull, and eventually you will no longer hear it.

• ROMANS 1:19-20 | They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
• PSALM 19:1-4 | The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word. . . . Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

God communicates with you through his creation. All nature sings about a majestic God who created rhythm and harmony in the seasons. Nature shouts the power of God in the starry heavens, the roar of thunder, earthquakes, hurricanes, and the glorious snowcapped mountains. But nature also whispers about God’s mindboggling attention to detail in the wings of a butterfly, the endless variety of plants, and the complexity of DNA. Look for God’s fingerprints in his handiwork and you will not be able to miss him.

• ACTS 14:16-17 | “In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.”
• MARK 16:6 | But the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.”
• ACTS 2:22 | “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.”

God communicates through the miraculous. There are great miracles like Jesus’ resurrection and seemingly small miracles like a baby’s birth. As you begin to recognize the everyday miracles of God all around you, you will recognize how he speaks to you through them.

• 1 KINGS 3:5 | That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
• DANIEL 7:1 | Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.
• ACTS 10:3 | One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said.

God communicates through dreams and visions. These may not be part of your everyday experience, but the Bible clearly shows that God will do whatever he needs to get your specific attention.

• LUKE 1:11 | While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him.
• ACTS 8:26 | As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
• REVELATION 1:1 | This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John.

God communicates through his angels. Perhaps you have never seen angels, but you have likely seen evidence of their work. Angels are a clear part of biblical teaching. They are all around the earth and they are near you.

• 1 SAMUEL 3:8-9 | So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’”
• ISAIAH 45:2, 4 | This is what the Lord says: “I will go before you, Cyrus. . . . And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of . . . Israel my chosen one.”
• ACTS 23:18 | So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

God communicates with you through other people. Most of the time he uses godly people to give you spiritual advice and help you mature in your faith. Sometimes he even uses people who don’t know him to unwittingly communicate his truth to you.

Learn more about the HelpFinder Bible

“So the men of Kiriath-jearim came to get the Ark of the Lord. They took it to the hillside home of Abinadab and ordained Eleazar, his son, to be in charge of it. The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time—twenty years in all. During that time all Israel mourned because it seemed the Lord had abandoned them. Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, ‘If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.’ So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord.” 1 Samuel 7:1-4, NLT.

Notes from the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible

The Ark was taken to Kiriath-jearim, a city near the battlefield, for safe-keeping, and Eleazar was given the task of caring for it. Why wasn’t it taken

back to the Tabernacle at Shiloh? Shiloh had probably been defeated and destroyed by the Philistines in an earlier battle (1 Sam 4:1-18; Jer 26:2-6) because of the evil deeds of its priests (1 Sam 2:12-17).

Apparently, the Tabernacle and its furniture were saved because we read that the Tabernacle was set up in Nob during Saul’s reign (1 Sam 21:1-6) and in Gibeon during the reigns of David and Solomon (1 Chr 16:39; 21:29, 30; 2 Chr 1). Shiloh is never again mentioned in the historical books of the Old Testament. Further evidence of Shiloh’s destruction is that Samuel’s new home became Ramah (1 Sam 7:15-17; 8:4), his birthplace.

Israel mourned, and sorrow gripped the nation for 20 years. The Ark was put away like an unwanted box in an attic and it seemed as if the Lord had abandoned his people. Samuel, now a grown man, roused them to action by saying that if they were truly sorry, they should do something about it.

How easy it is for us to complain about our problems, even to God, while we refuse to act, change, and do what he requires. We don’t even take the advice he has already given us. Do you ever feel as if God has abandoned you? Check to see if there is anything he has already told you to do. You may not receive new guidance from God until you have acted on his previous directions.

Learn more about NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible

by Molly Jo Nyman

“My life changed when God led me to read the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible in one year!”

Those words are in all caps and lead the message Pamela Nicholson gives on her website, a ministry to aimed at single women but open to all, called Life in Sweet Abandon.

Pamela was single for 20 years between her divorce and current marriage, so she knows the struggle of the single life. “When Scripture says that a day is like a thousand years, it sure seemed like that for me on so many days during my singleness, especially on holidays and Valentine’s Day!” she recalls.

When God brought her an amazing husband, he encouraged her to start a ministry to share her love of God’s Word and all He had taught her with others. After praying about it, her successful career had no hold on her, and Life in Sweet Abandon was launched.

“It was 2014 when I first saw the NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible in a Christian bookstore, and I asked for it for Christmas. I had read many Bibles in my life and was looking for a way to be strategic in my reading. This Bible has 1833 pages (without the front and back material); perfect for reading 5 pages a day,” Pamela said. “My life changed when I met with God and allowed Him to speak into my heart. I wasn’t reading what someone else thought about God, I was hearing God speak to me through His Word and fill my heart and mind with His truth.”

Her experience with God’s Word, her reasons for selecting the NLT, and the plan that she followed are now shared on her website and with over 100 followers on her Facebook page:

“The words seemed to jump off the page and come to life! I love reading the Bible in the order in which the events happened!

Why this version of the Bible? The New Living Translation combines the latest biblical scholarship with a clear, dynamic writing style that communicates God’s Word powerfully to all who hear and read it. It renders the message of the original texts of Scripture into clear, contemporary English that was written to be read aloud. With a focus on clarity, The New Living Translation invites readers to go deeper into the biblical text to discover God’s story for their lives and the world.

There are excellent resources scattered throughout the book.”

Pamela has many stories of lives changed through reading the NLT like Kathy

“Since this is the first time for me to read the whole Bible, I am glad I read a chronological Bible. It helped me to see the order of the big pictures. Also, the study notes are easy to understand, which has helped me to get things quicker. I like that there are photos and charts and maps and nice images to go along with scripture. I am a visual person so I enjoy charts and images. A few other things that helped make this a success this year, a set of Bible highlighters, the daily chart has really helped me stay on track and also attending the Story of Scripture at North Point last Jan. A big picture overview was the perfect introduction. One more thing I do is to write down my prayers in a journal in the morning. It helps me to look back and see that God did answer certain prayers so I am glad I have a nice morning routine now.”

There’s another story that is particularly close to Pamela’s heart.

“When my stepmom passed away, my dad was single again after 30 years of marriage. He saturated his mind with God’s Word, and I believe that because of it, he did not sink into depression,” Pamela said.

“Dad has many Scriptures memorized in King James, but when I say, ‘Now dad, tell me what that means,’ he says, ‘Well I don’t know.’ But then, when he reads that same passage in the NLT, he says ‘Now that makes sense.’ That’s why I love to get this Bible in people’s hands. They can understand it and it sinks into their hearts.”

Learn more about the Chronological Life Application Study Bible

When we think of the Bible, we often relate it to our own personal quiet time with God or maybe to a special gift that could encourage a loved one into a deeper conversation with God. But have you thought about the Bible as a way to connect with your community? Looking to come together as a church in God’s Word or want to make an impact in your broader community, here are a few ideas:

Streetlights New Testament brings audio and print together in an exciting new format. Working with our friends at Streetlights Bible, we have been able to create a Bible portion that resonates with the urban generation. With the scan of a QR code, readers link to remarkably creative study content and audio resources that explain Christian truth and serve as a basic discipleship tool. Its unique tone and approach to the gospel have a strong appeal to many who are searching for an unconventional way to connect with God’s Word.

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience was created for reading in community. The entire Bible is split into six volumes complete with reading plans, videos, and other resources to help your church, book club, Bible study, or neighborhood group engage in God’s Word together. Immerse removes many of the barriers which make Bible reading difficult, paving the way for deep connection with God and others through the Scriptures.

Filament Bible Journal Collection will be releasing at the end of the year and is perfect for Bible studies, sermon series, and outreach. Each journal is a book or series of books from the New Testament. They have a single-column format and every other page is blank, which is perfect for note-taking. Scan a page with a phone or tablet and you’ll have access to the Filament Bible app’s content for the book or books you are studying.

The One Year Pray for the Persecuted Church is a dynamic way to connect with people around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Created with The Voice of the Martyrs, this Bible uses The One Year Bible reading plan, and each day’s reading includes a prayer prompt focusing on requests from our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. As a church, why not spend a month focusing on praying for people being persecuted for their faith and then give the people in your church community the opportunity to continue to pray all year using The One Year Pray for the Persecuted Bible? One in eight Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith, and their first request is for us to pray. Let’s do it!

Inspire Portions allow your community to get creative while studying God’s Word. These coloring-book-style Bible portions provide a way to reach out to people looking to engage with God’s Word in a more tactile way. They feature high-quality art paper that works well with all art supplies so you can start a Bible journaling study or group. Coloring and creative art-journaling options appear throughout the portions, and the Bible text is displayed beautifully in a single-column, wide-margin, spacious layout.

New Believer’s New Testament is a great Bible to start answering some of the most common questions people have about the Bible. This softcover New Testament is perfect for an outreach ministry, for those who are just starting their faith journey, or for helping equip people who want to reach out to those in their lives who have questions about what it means to have a relationship with God.

Outreach Bibles are economy-priced, full-text Bibles available only in bulk order. Designed for outreach efforts, these Bibles include resources like how to become a Christian and basics on how to use a Bible. They are available in softcover full size, large print, children’s edition, and New Testament portion.

We are so excited about what is coming this fall! And in addition to those, we’re even going to give you a quick look at a Bible releasing in early 2022 and show the new look for a beloved Bible brand. We would love to hear which ones you are most excited about!

September 2021

This September The Filament Bible Collection will be adding compact editions! These small, portable, Filament-enabled Bibles have a 6.1 point text font and a slightly bigger than 4 x 6-inch trim size so that you can easily take them with you. Two of the four editions releasing will have zipper covers!

Speaking of on-the-go Bibles, all six volumes of Immerse: The Reading Bible will be available in most places you purchase books and Bibles. As a paperback with single-column Bible text on each page and no interrupters such as chapter or verse numbers,  it will feel more like you are reading a novel, allowing you to dive more deeply into the narrative of the Bible. It’s the perfect take-it-wherever-you-go Bible. Just throw it in your bag, and enjoy at the beach, cabin, in the lunch room, on the commuter train, or wherever you read.

October 2021

We are so excited to be working with DaySpring to publish the timely DaySpring Hope and Encouragement Bible. This wide-margin Bible has over 250 reflections and 52 full-page devotionals scattered throughout the text that amplify twelve indisputable truths about who you are in Christ, such as: you are known, you are blessed, and you have a reason for hope. These truths equip you to recognize and embrace your treasured place in God’s heart.

We’ve heard wonderful things about the 3rd edition of the Life Application Study Bible in the NLT and the NIV. This fall, the KJV version will join the group in an updated 3rd edition. The KJV edition will release in full size and large print.

Our Inspire Bible line is growing as well. Inspire: Luke and John portion will be releasing this fall. This is the fourth book in our popular coloring-book-style, square-trimmed portions.

November 2021

From personal tragedies to world disasters, there are so many reasons to pray. This year we are releasing the 3rd in our One Year Pray for series. This year we are asking you to join us as we pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith. We have partnered with The Voice of the Martyrs to create One Year Pray for the Persecuted Bible. Each day’s reading includes passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. It also includes a daily prayer prompt bringing the needs of those who are persecuted to the top of our prayer list. Spend the next year in the Word and on your knees in prayer.

Just like many of our kids the Boys Life Application Study Bible line will be growing to include a blue glow-in-the-dark cover. This first step into a study Bible brings the truth of God’s Word into the realities and decisions kids face today. 

Premium Value Thinline editions in our Filament Bible Collection will also release this fall. These are some of the most affordable Bibles with beautiful covers and include access to the Filament Bible app content. They will be available in full size and large print.

December 2021

We know many people are already excited for the Filament Bible Journal Collection that will release just in time for Christmas! These individual volumes contain one or more books of the New Testament. Every other page is blank, allowing space for art, journaling, prayer writing, and note-taking. Also available in boxed sets.

And There’s More…

One of our most beloved brands, The One Year Bible, is getting an updated look. It will still have the same great reading plan, but the covers have been updated for the NLT, NIV, NKJV, and KJV editions. The new will look will roll out gradually, but we wanted to give you a sneak peek.

Later in 2022, the Filament Bible Collection will be gaining several additional editions (you larger print fans are going to be super excited). We aren’t sharing those yet, but we will share that in early 2022 we will be releasing the NLT Wide Margin Bible, Filament-Enabled Edition, which will have an 8 point text font with 2.25-inch, lightly ruled wide margins.

That is a lot of Bibles! Though we are always excited about the Bibles heading out our doors, we are even more excited about the lives that will be transformed through God’s Word!

Glad Klassen, one of the women who voice the her.Bible app, reads John 1:1-14, NLT. Listen and reflect on God’s beautiful words to us.

Learn more about her.Bible

Sometimes it seems we are connected to everything, but each other. Ever try to start a conversation with your child about his or her day and met with, “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember.” Sometimes the hardest part is getting the conversation going. The Hands-On Bible is a great way to start a conversation. With interactive games, activities, crafts, and questions it helps you connect as a family and to God through His Word. Watch this video to see Jaxson and his dad enjoying the Hands-On Bible.

Learn more about the Hands-On Bible

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12, NLT

Read Matthew 7:12 out loud with a friend (that can be your parent, grandparent or sibling too. Family can be our friends too). Say it together a few times.

Then, place your palms near your friend’s palms, about an inch apart.

Slowly move your hands while your friend tries to follow your motions. Then switch roles. You tried to mirror your friend’s motions.

Jesus wants us to treat other people exactly how we’d like to be treated—to be a mirror image of how we’d like to be
treated! Write this verse on a sticky note on your bathroom mirror to remind you to be a mirror image!

Want to try the activity Jaxson and his dad were talking about? (Watch video)

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,* you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:37-40, NLT

1. Think of three people you’d like to give gifts to.
2. For each person, make a gift certificate or coupon of one thing you can do for that person (like clean a room, make breakfast or take out the trash.) Make sure you let them know the gift is to remind you of the greatest gift of all, Jesus.
3. Put the notes in boxes, and wrap the boxes. Let the three people open their presents.

Make sure you follow through with your gifts by doing the work.

Learn more about the Hands-On Bible

Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience was born out of a passion for people to reengage with God’s Word in a way that wasn’t encumbered by historically added roadblocks. Though many households own Bibles, people aren’t reading them. The Institute for Bible Reading is on a mission to help people find ways to simply read the Bible in the way it was originally written. Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience is a wonderful way to reconnect with God’s Word and each other. Hear from the creators of Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience.

Learn more about Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience