How Can I Maximize My
Bible Study Experiences?
By
Printed on
April 11, 2004
There are three very basic books that I recommend every
Christian should have in their library.
If you are a new convert and just beginning your journey, these three
books will begin your accumulation of study materials that will accompany you
throughout your life. If you already
have an existing library, no matter the size, these will greatly accentuate
your collection. In fact, no library is
complete without them.
The three study materials to which I refer are a Bible, a Bible Dictionary
(not Webster) and a Concordance. One may
wonder why these three books should be purchased. Aside from the Bible, a Bible Dictionary will
define certain terms, places, and events, et cetera that will be identified
when reading the Bible. The majority do
not write down their questions. Most
think, “I’ll ask the preacher” but many times that question is forgotten and
never asked. By having a Bible
Dictionary, you would be able to search the answer for yourself. A Concordance will enable you to look up a
word e.g. faith and pinpoint other verses
where that exact same word is found.
This is indispensable for topical studies e.g.
“I wonder what else the Bible says about ‘wine’?” I would like to explain and be more specific
with each study aid.
First, your Bible
must be of good quality, professional and practical. It needs to represent you and be liked by
you. The less the preceding factors are
applied the more your Bible will go unused.
If you are proud of your Bible then you will pick it up more often,
study it throughout the day, carry it with you wherever you go, and take it home with you from worship and
mid-week Bible Study. (It is kind of difficult to leave a $70 Bible
on the pew especially when it bears your name.)
Remember, a good Bible costs money.
This is not an area to be pinch pennies.
Secondly, there are
several Bible Dictionaries available.
Let me mention three with which I have acquaintance. Smith’s Bible Dictionary is fair for the
moderate Bible student and is available for about $10. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary is more
comprehensive with a wider range of topics.
Containing pictures it is quite appealing. This may be obtained for approximately
$30. Vine’s Bible Dictionary is more
scholarly providing Greek and Hebrew definitions and is available for under
$25. Personally I recommend the last two
Bible Dictionaries; they have independent but different strengths.
Thirdly, the
Concordance is equally valuable. There
are two familiarities: Strong’s and
Young’s. Strong’s is well-known and
widely available. Both are used to look
up English words. The prominent
difference with Young’s is with the listings.
The book is subdivided by the Greek words to ensure that the English
counterparts are grouped together e.g.
Young’s separates agape from phileo where Strong’s
groups them all together under the heading of love. In other words, Young’s is more
specific. Usefully, both Strong’s and
Young’s are keyed to Strong’s numbering system.
Prepare to choose the concordance that corresponds with your
translation. (There are KJV, NKJV, RSV
and more.) This final note is too
important to neglect.
With these recommendations, anyone can have a simple
library that allows them to study the deep things of God. Finally brethren, have
fun searching for these materials as well as searching in these materials.
Before buying Bible study materials
consider Bible
software.
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