cherryblossommj
Written on Dec 2, 2012
I'm not using bookmarks. I start with the Devotional and find the date, and take note of the day # (for instance today is December 2nd and it is Day 336. The first thing on the page after that is READ IT. Here you have your scripture references for the day including a reading from the Old Testament, New Testament and a Psalm. There is also a key verse actually written out in the Devotional, the other references you will have to go to your Bible to locate them. You can use any Bible, the Once-A-Day Bible for Teens is not absolutely required.
However... I go to my Once-A-Day Bible for Teens and locate the Day 336 and all of those references for the day are right there in the order mentioned for me to be able to just pick up and read. No time need be spent searching for this here and that over there.
In the Bible after the verses, the scripture references are there again for an easy glance as well as a paragraph that summarizes very simply what you just read. This is followed by a handful of lines where you might make notes, or journal a thought. Interestingly there is a faint circle with a check mark where you can check off your daily reading as well as a list in the front of scripture references all with check mark boxes available and ready to be ticked off. The scripture within is of the New International Version which is well known and trusted. It's not my favorite, I suppose, but it is a translation that I know and can read very easily.
Now back to the Devotional... After the READ IT section that gives you the scripture references there are two more sections, LIVE IT and PRAY IT. The LIVE IT section is next and this is the actual devotional. It seems to be usually about four very short paragraphs bringing what you read into relevance of your own life either in remembrance or application. It is often encouragement and from what I have read it is practical for a teen, but anyone could really benefit from reading these words. Lastly there is the PRAY IT, which is a sentence or two prayer that you can grasp onto and really say for yourself that goes from what was discussed in the devotional and read in the scriptures.
"Lord, teach me to keep praying. I'm not trying to impress you. I just want to stick close to you. I will worship you and tell you what I need." p.340
You could buy just the Bible and get the ease and simplicity of not having to flip around for a daily reading at your fingertips without dozens of page turns. You could buy only the Devotional and use your own Bible for looking up the scriptures. But having both these Teen versions that pair right up to each other really makes things easy. They are attractive, and not your typical Bible feel and I like that. I like having something that I do not feel like it will rip very easily. Even though these are like trade paperback, I see it lasting even with lots of use and readings. Perhaps going in and out a backpack might give it a bit more use. But in my case going on and off a shelf, I see these holding up well. They're starting out attractive and I think they'll stay that way.
These two books in any sense, together or alone would make a great devotional tool. This would be a great thing to try out for the next year, or a great tool to just get yourself started and make a routine to last a lifetime.
After spending time in the Once-A-Day Teen Bible and Devotional from Zondervan I'm intrigued and excited about the entire series they have made available. I would love to get my hands on the little booklets for both Christmas Advent and Easter as well as the Bible and Devotional for Women and maybe even the one that says something about Men and Women of the Bible in 365 Insights. I also think the Morning and Evening one would be really neat and a great habit. I think they have a great idea here and anything to make the Bible more accessible and more appealing for readers, especially in this case teens I think is just plain fabulous.
*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review.*
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2012/12/16/once-a-day-bible-and-devotional-from-zondervan/
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