Unruffled - Session 2
CROSS REFERENCING TRANSLATIONS
Unruffled - Session 2
Grow deeper in your quiet time
How to use this Bible Study
If you are in a group: Complete the sections that have a white background together by reading outloud. The sections with a peach background should be completed individually. Then come back together and talk about what you have written.
If you are doing a solo devotional: Read through and complete the homework as usual, and use the discussion questions as an additional journaling prompt.
Opening Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for being with us as we have read Your Word this week. We dedicate this time to You. Please use it to fill up our spirits with every good fruit: goodness, joy, peace, and gentleness.
Amen
Homework Questions
What did you think of the Pray-Read-Think-Write-Pray method?
Last week we made a plan to determine when would be best to have quiet time. Did you stick to that time? Or did you end up doing quiet time in a different part of your day? If you struggled with having quiet time at all this week, what can you do differently for this up coming week?
What from your reading stood out to you? Did you have a favorite passage? Or read something that didn’t make sense?
What type of things did you write during the “write” portion of the study method?
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It is easy to spend your entire discussion time on the questions above. Make sure you leave 20-25 minutes towards the end of your meeting time to complete the reading below and additional discussion questions.
Learning How to Cross Reference Translations
There are lots of Bible translations available to us. While it is generally recommended that you stick to one translation for your daily Bible, it can be helpful to read other translations when you find a verse or passage that is hard to understand. Today we are going to learn a little bit about how the Bible is translated. Recognizing the differences between the translations will help you to pick the best ones for cross referencing. This information will also be helpful if you are considering purchasing a new Bible or changing which version you read daily.
How the Bible is Translated
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). It has been preserved and translated into many languages since the original writings. Each time that a person or organization has started the task of translating the Bible into any language, they have to make a choice. Are they going to translate the Bible as a thought-for-thought or word-for-word? Or a blend of these two methods?
Thought for Thought
Thought-for-Thought translation prioritizes the thought of what the original author was trying to say. For example, during the time that much of the Bible was written, the word for “brother” could be used for men and women. In this case, the translator might choose to translate the word “brother” to “brothers and sisters” or “siblings” or “sister” if it is addressed to a woman. In this case, the translator is attempting to stay faithful to the original ideas of the author.
Word for Word
In Word-for-Word translations, priority is given to keep the words as accurate to original text as possible. So, when it says “brother” the translator writes “brother”. A true word-for-word translation would be nearly unreadable in some parts of the Bible, because Hebrew and Greek are structured differently than English. So, even in word-for-word translations there are some liberties taken to make the text readable.
A General Note About Translations
When you look at the chart on the next page, you might be tempted to think that one translation is better than another. The thought might cross your mind that your translation is superior. Or, that the reading level of your preferred translation makes you feel less-than. These type of thoughts are not from God. Who are we to say that one version of God’s Word is superior when they are all the truth?
You should read the version that works best for you in this moment, and that is the version that you will read. Don’t make it unnecessarily hard for yourself just to get further up the chart.
Comparison Chart
Below is a chart comparing different versions of the Bible. Take a moment to look at the chart together as a group, and find your preferred translation on the chart.
Translation Abbreviations:
AMP - Amplified Bible
CEB - Common English Bible
CSB - Christian Standard Bible
ESV - English Standard Version
GW - God’s Word
KJV - King James Version
MSG - The Message
NASB - New American Standard Bible
NCV - New Century Version
NIV - New International Version
NIrV - New International Reader’s Version
NKJV - New King James Version
NLT - New Living Translation
NRSV - New Revised Standard Version
RSV - Revised Standard Version
Picking a Verse to Cross Reference
As you are doing your reading this week, you will identify one verse a day to cross reference. Choose a verse that has one or more of the following characteristics:
The verse jumped off the page at you as you were reading
The verse didn’t make any sense
It was something Jesus said
It was a verse you have heard before, and you want to hear it a different way
Picking a Translation to Cross Reference
After you have picked your verse, you will pick a different translation from the one you are reading to compare it to. Find your daily-reading translation on the chart. Then go left or right to pick a translation. If you are reading a version that is on the “thought-for-thought” side, you will want to select a translation that is to the left side, and vise versa. If you have time, choose one translation to the left and one to the right.
After finding your verse in the new translation, you will copy both versions down into your journal or homework worksheet.
Look at the two versions and see if you learn something new. Are the words that are used different? Did it clarify what was confusing? Or, do you just like the way the other version was written, and it is easier to carry around in you heart.
Make a note about the differences between the two passages.
Purpose in Repetition
There will be some times that you cross reference a verse only to find that it is nearly identical in all the translations you read. In those times you will question, “why am I even doing this?” or “why did I waste my time looking that up?” To these questions, there are three answers: 1) Your time with God is never wasted. You might not have discovered the answer to your question, but you spent more in God’s Word. And He wants nothing more than to spend time with you. 2) Even if you are not memorizing the verse you cross reference, reading it multiple times helps you engrave God’s Word on your heart. 3) You have confirmed that multiple translators felt that the passage said the same thing. If you still have questions, keep seeking answers. Or meditate on the passage by reading it again later. You might be surprised how God answers your question in the coming hours, days or weeks.
Read Aloud Together
Now we are going to practice cross referencing. Assign each translation to one group member:
Exodus 2:25 - Amplified Bible
God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice [of them] and was concerned about them [knowing all, understanding all, remembering all].
Exodus 2:25 - King James Version
And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Exodus 2:25 - The Message
God saw what was going on with Israel.
God understood.
Exodus 2:25 - English Standard Version
God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.
Exodus 2:25 - New International Readers Version
So God looked on the Israelites with concern for them.
Exodus 2:25 - New Living Translation
He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.
Exodus 2:25 - American Standard Version
And God saw the children of Israel, and God took knowledge of them.
Discussion Questions
Which of these seven versions of the verse did you like best, and why?
Do you feel like you understand what Moses was trying to say better?
Did this exercise bring up any questions about Bible translations for you?
What version of the Bible do you read daily? How did you pick the one you read?
What version of the Bible did you grow up reading?
➤ Close in Prayer
Homework
Follow your reading plan. Each day of you reading plan, practice Cross Referencing ONE Bible verse from your reading.
In the PDF download for this post, there is a homework worksheet you can use as a guide.
Extra Resources
YouVersion - Comparing Translations
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