Commentaries can kick-start your thinking when you hit a dead end but should not be a substitute for your own work. Here’s my two rules of thumb.
Bible Study Tools #6: Commentaries
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04 Bible Study 101
Bible Study Tools #5: Multi-volume Encyclopedias
Multi-volume encyclopedias are good sources for historical and biblical themes. But background information does not impose meaning.
Bible Study Tools #4: Lexicons & Dictionaries
Lexicons & dictionaries can reveal what might be “lost in translation” but they also tempt us to fall into the trap of “I learned a fact about a word and I must use it.”
Bible Study Tools #3: Concordances
A concordance is an organized list of all the biblical texts which contain a given word. Concordances allow you to broaden your understanding of how a word is used and its range of meanings.
30 Tips to Improve your Bible Study
Did you make a resolution to improve your Bible study? Here are 30 tips to help you keep that promise.
Bible Study Tools #2: Good maps
Bible Maps. Access to geographical information about the ancient near east will improve your Bible Study. Here’s where to find good maps.
Bible Study Tools #1: Translations
Translations of the Bible: Bibles fall on an interpretation scale. It will improve your study if you know the difference and have one of each type.
Starting Convictions
How do you know if you’ve successfully understood a passage of Scripture? Start by understanding and embracing these basic interpretative convictions.
5 C’s of Bible Study
How do you evaluate whether a particular interpretation hits the mark of authorial intent?
Goal of Bible Study
If Scripture is profitable for teaching, then we are expected to know and understand Scripture. If Scripture is profitable for reproof and correction, then we have to be able to determine what it means such that we have a objective standard by we can decide if one or both of us is wrong.