Three-and-a-half years ago, just as I was coming up with the idea for Bible Summary, my wife and I were invited to write some study material for a new version of the Youth Bible.

The original Youth Bible was the version that I read as a teenager, so it was an amazing and slightly terrifying privilege to get involved. I wrote studies on Ecclesiastes and Colossians (which in fact I mentioned in a previous post).

The months passed, Bible Summary took off, my wife and I had our sons, and the new Youth Bible remained forthcoming. Out of sight, out of mind.

But other folk were clearly working hard behind the scenes. A week ago - just a couple of days before I finished Bible Summary - a large package appeared at our door. Two copies of the finished ERV Authentic Youth Bible!

It's very gratifying to find that much of what we wrote has made the cut for the final version. (Although they did omit what with hindsight I accept was a slightly dark study on Death from Ecclesiastes.) And the coincidence with the start and end of Bible Summary is very pleasing.

I've flicked through some of the rest of my copy, and I would definitely recommend the new version for youth leaders and young people who want to get to grips with Scripture.

You can buy it directly from Authentic Media in your choice of red or teal.