B I B L E S T U D Y T O O L S
There are many resources available to aid in the study of Scripture. The following will likely be helpful to you.
Study Bible
A good study Bible has the entire text of Scripture with helpful notes offering insight to some of the harder passages. If you don’t already have a study Bible, it is an invaluable tool in understanding God’s Word, especially for those who do not have the time to use other Bible study resources such as those listed below. A particularly good study Bible might have cross-references (usually in the center column or outer margins). We recommend buying one of the following.
- Quest Study Bible – unique question and answer format
Various Translations
For those who want to dig deeper, it’s helpful to have three or more Bible versions handy, one in each of three categories: literal, dynamic equivalent, and paraphrase. “Though weaknesses exist in every translation, each one makes a unique contribution to a better understanding of the Bible” (Rick Warren). We recommend the following.
Literal Translations (word for word)
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Dynamic Equivalent Translations (thought for thought)
- Today’s New International Version (TNIV or NIV) listen here
- New Living Translation (NLT)
Paraphrases
- The Message (TMSG)
English Dictionary
Don’t take a regular old English dictionary for granted. You may just come across a word that needs clarification.
Concordance
If you are wondering the meaning of a particular word in the Bible you can use a concordance to find out how that word is used in other passages of Scripture. A concordance is a Bible index (usually KJV, although some other Bibles also have limited concordances) that lists the usage of words in the Bible and give references were the words can be found.
- Or use the more user-friendly Bible Study Tools at Bible.Crosswalk.com. When choosing a Bible version, use the KJV or NAS with Strong's numbers to access the concordance.
Topical Bible
Similar to a concordance, a topical Bible categorizes Scripture verses by topics instead of by words. So, when you want to study a specific topic, a topical Bible will list all the verses dealing with your topic, even if that verse does not contain the particular name of the topic you are studying.
Bible Handbook
A handbook is a truly handy concise quick reference book usually containing information you would find in both a encyclopedia and a commentary. Most include background notes, brief commentary, maps, charts, archeological notes, and helpful facts.
Bible Atlas
Get the lay of the land by getting familiar with Bible maps and geography.
Bible Background
A background commentary is an absolutely enlightening resource that sheds light on the culture and customs of the original writers and readers of Scripture and therefore on the original meaning of the text. We recommend the following.
- Zondervan’s Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary – a set of four, for much more money
Bible Dictionary / Encyclopedia
In a good Bible dictionary or encyclopedia you can find explanations of words, topics, customs, and traditions in the Bible, as well as get historical geographical, cultural, and archeological information.
Commentaries
After you have done your own study you may want to check your findings by referencing the work of other Bible scholars as well. A commentary explains and interprets the Biblical text by analyzing words, background, introduction, grammar, and overall context. Although a commentary is usually the result of honest scholarship, it should never be taken with the same weight as the Word of God. Do not let reading a commentary take the place of your personal Bible study. Here is a sampling of the MANY commentaries available.
Bible Study Websites
Many of the resource links above are taken from the following sites.
Free Bible Study Software
*Much of the explanations of each the tools are taken from Personal Bible Study Methods by Rick Warren.
READING SCHEDULE
Read the Bible with us, a chapter a day. Below are the start dates for chapter one of each book.
January 18 - Genesis
March 8 - Exodus
April 17 - Numbers
May 23 - Joshua
June 16 - Judges
July 7 - 1 Samuel
August 7 - 2 Samuel
August 31 - 1 Kings
September 22 - 2 Kings
October 17 - Ezra
October 27 - Nehemiah
November 9 - Luke
December 3 - Acts
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
B i b l e . T o w a r d T r u t h . c o m
Read the Bible Online
T H E S T O R Y L I N E C H A L L E N G E
Out of the 66 books in the Bible, there are 13 that tell the story of the Bible from Creation to the Church.
Genesis – Exodus – Numbers – Joshua – Judges – 1 Samuel – 2 Samuel – 1 Kings – 2 Kings – Ezra – Nehemiah – Luke - Acts
The other 53 books mostly contain side stories, summaries, or sermons written by kings, poets, prophets and apostles talked about in the 13 “Storyline Books.”
We all know that reading God’s Word is a vital part of our spiritual growth, but we don’t always know where to start. The Storyline Books will introduce you to the major people, events, and ideas of the Old and New Testaments without giving you an overwhelming amount to read. And as you read you’ll gain a better understanding of the other books because you’ll know where they fit into the story.
You can read the Storyline Books by December 30th by reading just a chapter a day starting Friday, January 18! That’s the Storyline Challenge. You'll find the start date for each book in the reading schedule to the right. If you get a late start, don’t worry, catch up when you can.
NOTE: There will likely be days this year when you forget, are unable or simply too exhausted to read, so feel free to read ahead. And don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day. Just start again the next day. The main purpose is not to stick to a schedule, but to develop a regular habit of reading the Bible, which will spark growth in all areas of your life!
May God bless your journey through His Word!
