7 Tools for Studying the Bible

At The Bookery, we believe deeply in the value of studying and meditating on Scripture. But we don’t want to just tell you that studying the Bible is important; we want to help you build that discipline into your daily life.

Whether you have been a student of the Bible for a long time or are just beginning, there are a variety of tools that can help you dig deeper into God’s Word and discover the unending depths of His love for you.

Bible

It makes sense that to study the Bible, you need a Bible. Get a translation that you enjoy reading, one that is easy for you to understand. It can also be helpful to have a few different translations to choose from so you can compare how different translations render specific verses or passages. Online resources such as YouVersion or BibleGateway can also be helpful.

Prayer

Begin your time with prayer, which can be as simple as asking God to help you understand what you are reading and what He wants to teach you from it. Ask the Spirit to guide your reading and to open your eyes, heart and mind to understand.

Bible Dictionary

Ever read something in the Bible and thought, “I have no idea what this word means?” That’s why Bible dictionaries exist. A Bible dictionary is just what it sounds like: a dictionary full of terms, names, places and ideas found in the Bible. When you run across an unfamiliar word or place name, a Bible dictionary can help you learn more about it and deepen your understanding of what you’re reading.

Concordance

A concordance is a list of words or phrases found in Scripture and citations for where those words or ideas are found. For example, if you’re looking for a particular verse of Scripture but can’t remember what book it’s in, a concordance is an easy way to find it. You can also use resources like BibleGateway, YouVersion or other online tools to locate this information. If you’re trying to find verses that all speak to a certain topic, a commentary can be helpful, but always remember to read all the verses in context (meaning you go to the passage and read the verses before and after) to make sure you’re applying Scripture correctly.

Commentary

Commentaries are books that attempt to explain or interpret Scripture. In the past, pastors and Bible teachers have often spent their lifetimes building a commentary collection, buying volumes one by one. These days, you can keep your entire library online with tools like Logos Bible Software. Bible Gateway offers a small collection of free online commentaries, while Bible Ref, a ministry of Got Questions, bills itself as an “online Bible commentary you can understand.” However you choose to access a commentary, make sure you are reading commentaries from trusted sources. It’s easy for anyone to publish something online these days, so do the work of vetting the author.

Journal

If you’re a part of The Bookery community, there’s a good chance you’re already an avid journal user. But having a notebook or journal—just some place you can record what you’re learning as you read Scripture—can be helpful. Use it to write down questions, record prayers or note verses that stuck out to you as you read. It can also be a place to take notes during sermons or in small group or Bible study. Later, when you read back over it, your journal will become a record of God’s work in your life and a reminder of what He has carried you through.

A Place

Spending time in Scripture is going to look different for each of us. Some may prefer mornings; others evenings. Some people may be able to devote an hour, while others of us are doing good to get 15 minutes of focused reading time. One thing that can help signal your mind and heart that it is time to devote your attention to God’s Word is having a specific place where you study the Bible. Maybe it’s that cozy spot on the couch where the pillows are just right, the kitchen table or a desk in the corner of your bedroom. Where doesn’t really matter, but having a quiet place where you can spend a few minutes poring over the Bible is a valuable tool in your Bible study arsenal.

What tools would you add? Tell us in the comments!