Do you want your teenager to read the Bible more? Biblezines may be the answer.
Using the New Century Version of the New Testament, Biblezines look more like a popular magazine than a Bible.
With articles on beauty and fashion tips, dating and careers, personal development quizzes and music reviews, the innovative format covers the same subjects as secular teen magazines, but from a Christian perspective.
The idea for a cool-looking teen Bible came about as officials at Thomas Nelson Bibles noted a trend toward less Bible reading among teenagers. Discovering that teens were reading magazines instead of the Bible, the idea for a Bible in a magazine format was born.
Revolve — the first Biblezine released in 2003, which was written for teen girls — reached the best-seller list less than three months after its release.
Other Biblezines have spent time as bestsellers, with Becoming, the Biblezine for young women, ranked third on the August 2005 best-seller list of specialty Bibles for the Christian Booksellers Association.
Kendyll An Reed, a ninth grader from Tuscaloosa, enjoys reading Revolve, which her mother purchased as a gift for her a few months ago.
The articles and colorful illustrations make the Bible text even more interesting, Reed said. She especially likes the “Radical Faith” sections, which make a particular passage of Scripture easy to understand and apply to her life.
Biblezines definitely attract teens to Bible reading — and they are definitely cool, Reed said.
Revolve, Refuel, Magnify and Becoming target teen girls, guys, children and young women, respectively, and recently Revolve 2 was released with the same format but with new sidebars and articles.
Teen girls looking for a trendy “makeover” may find it in Revolve Devos, a 42-day devotional guide that gives practical suggestions for a life makeover — God’s style. Through daily devotional thoughts and Scripture readings, girls explore ways to change mind, body and soul.
These new versions of the New Testament features articles like “Extras: Girls, Cash and Cars,” “Top Ten Ways to Make a Difference,” “Radical Faith: How to Live What You Believe” and “45 Ways to Help Out in Your Community.”
Thomas Nelson’s newest Biblezine, Real, targets urban youth with articles like “Jail Ain’t No Joke — Testimonies from Ex-Convicts” and “How Ya Travelin’? — How to Walk Out Your Life With the Lord.”
The sports scene also has its own Biblezine with nt:sport from Tyndale House Publishers. Launched in 2004, this Biblezine is for teenagers and young adults.
The publication combines the Bible with charts, self-improvement tips and notes from sports ministry experts.
It also encourages readers to set and achieve personal goals by providing monthly action plans for setting and recording those goals.
Biblezines can be found at all LifeWay Christian Stores, as well as most privately owned Christian bookstores such as Amen Corner and Family Christian stores. They are also carried by retailers such as Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble and on the Internet by Amazon.com.
David Collins, manager of LifeWay Christian Store in Huntsville, said the Biblezines have sold well in his store from the beginning.
Collins said he believes most purchases are by parents buying them with the hope of getting their teens interested in the Bible.
Although some parents may object to the unconventional format, Annelle Reed, Kendyll An Reed’s mother, said she finds it appealing, and “whatever makes the Bible relevant and alive to my teen is a welcome tool.”
“It is in a format that teens are familiar with and it’s user friendly.”
David Holcombe, manager of Amen Corner in Childersburg, agrees. He thinks the publications are put together well and attractive to teens and that most of the Biblezines are not bought to be a teen’s primary Bible. These are not usually the Bibles they carry to church on Sunday morning, Holcombe said, but are used more informally.
Jay Watson, minister to junior high students for Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, and his wife, Shantel, said they see many middle-school age girls using Biblezines but haven’t seen boys reading them yet.
Shantel Watson said the girls love the surveys and the interactive format holds their attention and draws them to the Bible text.
Jay Watson thinks the most important thing is to get teens excited about reading the Bible. He said he highly recommends Biblezines as a way to reach teens who aren’t reading their Bibles.
The first Biblezines used only New Testament text, but their popularity and reader demand prompted Thomas Nelson Bibles to recently publish Revolve: Psalms & Proverbs, which also includes Job, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon.
The worship-themed issue provides ways for teen girls to put their faith into action with tips for making faith part of their daily lives.
And with astounding numbers of Biblezines being sold, it seems these new publications are definitely reaching their target audience.
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