Bible Handbook: What it Does, and 3 Reasons It’s Essential
Good Bible study resources can be both beneficial and essential for starting a Bible study habit of your own. The best resources will provide a big picture overview of the Bible, helping you to gain a deeper understanding of God’s one. One of the best resources for this is a Bible handbook.
A Bible handbook is a Bible study resource designed to be a comprehensive and concise guide, helping readers understand and navigate the Bible. Typically, they will provide a wide range of information, including book summaries, historical context, key themes, etc.
A Bible handbook is one of the best resources you can get to enhance your personal study of the Bible. So, let’s explore the in’s and out’s of Bible handbooks and what makes them so essential to beginners in BIble study.
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The Contents of a Bible Handbook
A Bible handbook contains many unique features that provide an overview of the Bible and its message for beginners in Bible study. These unique features include,
An Introduction to the Bible
A Bible handbook provides a brief overview of the entire Bible, including its structure and its significance in our lives. This introduction tells the birds-eye view story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
Summaries of Each Book
A Bible handbook’s main feature is to provide summaries of each book of the Bible. This big-picture overview summarizes the content and purpose of each book. This may include information on the author, audience, setting, and central themes and message.
Historical and Cultural Background
Most Bible handbooks will also include information on the historical and cultural background of the Bible. In some handbook this is included in the summaries of each book. However, in others it is in its own section.
Often, a reader will learn information on the major empires of the Bible like Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Persia, Greek, and Rome. There is also relevant discussion on the cultures of these Empires and how they impact and intersect with the stories of the Bible.
Maps and Timelines
Maps, timelines, charts, and illustrations are often used throughout the Bible handbook to provide visual information and help readers visualize the location and sequence of major events and places throughout the Bible.
Themes and Theology
Often, a Bible handbook will discuss the central themes of the Bible and how theological themes unfold throughout its pages. Sometimes, this will be in its own section, but other times it will be included in the summaries of each book.
If it is included in the summaries of each book, then it will focus on the themes and theology of that book and how it fits into the larger story of the Bible. Overall, readers will be provided with a brief overview of central theological themes found in the Bible.
Archeological Discoveries
A Bible handbook will often discuss or reference significant archeological discoveries and findings that shed light on the Bible and its story. As such, it may discuss things like ancient artifacts, documents, cities, and structures that help the story of the Bible come alive.
Practical Application
Lastly, a Bible handbook will offer some practical application or discuss the relevance of a specific book to our lives today. This can include things like discussing moral and ethical principles, personal growth, and living out one’s faith. Overall, it’s designed to help you live out the Bible in your everyday life.
In general, a Bible handbook includes a lot of different content designed to introduce readers to the Bible and its story. This makes a Bible handbook a great resource for those just beginning to study the Bible for the very first time.
The Uses of a Bible Handbook
Now that we’ve seen what is included within a Bible handbook. Let’s look at ways we can use that information to deepen our Bible study. A Bible handbook can be used in a variety of different ways no matter your level of experience in Bible study. For example. you can use a Bible handbook to aid in,
- Scriptural Understanding: A Bible handbook will help you better comprehend the Bible’s content by providing summaries and historical context.
- Historical and Cultural Context: They will offer insights into the historical and cultural background of the Bible or a particular passage you are studying.
- Study and Research: A Bible handbook can serve as a valuable reference tool for scholars, students, and researchers. I know I used one while I was in college.
- Teaching and Preaching: A Bible Handbook can aid pastors and teachers in lesson and sermon preparation by providing nice outlines for each book of the Bible. This is extremely helpful if you are working your way through a book in what you are preaching or teaching.
- Personal Reflection and Devotion: A Bible handbook can also be used by individuals in personal meditation or study.
- Historical and Archaeological Interest: A Bible handbook connects the Bible with archaeological discoveries. So, if you are interested in archaeology or the history or culture of the Bible. Then a Bible handbook provides a great introduction to that. This can foster deeper desire to read God’s word.
- Clarifying Difficult Passages: A Bible handbook is a great tool because it offers explanations and interpretations for challenging or complex passages. For example, I just got finished reading through Leviticus, and my Bible handbook was great at helping me understand what I read from the Bible.
- Enhancing Faith and Spiritual Growth: A Bible handbook can also foster personal spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God. How? By introducing you to the themes of the Bible and encouraging you to dig deeper into God’s Word.
- Planning Bible Reading: Some Bible handbooks include suggested reading plans for systematic Bible study. This can be helpful for someone like me who struggles at times to read the Bible consistently.
Honestly, a Bible handbook can be your go-to resource during Bible study to quickly gain an understanding of the who, what, when, where, and why of what you are studying. That’s how I most frequently use my Bible handbook.
For example, the first time I was studying the Bible on my own was for a class in college. We were given questions to answer about who wrote the book, who were they writing to, what was going on at the time, that sort of thing. These questions were really helpful in studying the Bible for the first time.
Anyway, I turned to a Bible handbook to answer those questions. The summaries of each book of the Bible quickly and clearly answered all those questions. So, a Bible handbook is a great way to answer those questions when you are studying the Bible.
Curious to know what some of those questions were? Would you like a complete list of all the questions you need to ask yourself during Bible study? Then check out this great article. Answer all those questions and you’ll experience the Bible in a way that you encounter God.
Check out this great video that will walk you through not only what a Bible handbook is, but how to to use one as well.
Using a Bible Handbook
Now, that we’ve seen some great ways to use a Bible handbook, and how useful they can be in Bible study, let’s go step by step on how to use a Bible handbook.
- Choose the right handbook: Honestly, some handbooks may be more helpful than others. So choose one that aligns with your needs and interests as well as the depth of information you are seeking.
- Define your purpose: Ask yourself why you are using the Bible handbook. Do you want historical context, a character profile, or are you seeking to understand the key theme/message of a specific book?
- Locate the relevant section: Use the table of contents or index to find the relevant section you are looking for. For example, if you are reading through the book of Matthew, then use the table of contents to find what pages the summary of Matthew is on.
- Read the relevant section: This one is pretty obvious. But after you locate the relevant section take time to read it. Consider looking at and examining any historical context, character profiles, difficult passages, or theological insights the handbook offers.
Bible handbooks are simple to use. As such, they are perfect for beginners and those who get overwhelmed easily by other Bible study resources like a concordance or commentary.
Speaking of commentaries, if you want to know the difference between a Bible handbook and a commentary, then check out this article. It will discuss the similarities and differences between the two, offering insight on when it’s best to use one over the other.
3 Reasons Why a Bible Handbook is Essential
A Bible handbook is an essential tool for beginners in Bible study. It offers a wealth of knowledge right at your fingertips, making BIble study more accessible and manageable for first time Bible students. Here are the top three reasons why a Bible handbook is essential for beginners.
Contextual Understanding
If you are completely new to being a Christian or new to Bible study, then a Bible handbook will be essential to providing a contextual understanding of the Bible. It contains the essential information needed to open up the world of the Bible to you without creating feelings of overwhelm.
As such, a Bible handbook will help you understand the history and culture behind Bible passages, as well as the geographical locations that influenced those stories and the writing of the Bible itself.
This introductory context that a Bible handbook offers, is essential to accurately interpreting and applying the Bible.
Guided Study
The second reason a Bible handbook is essential for beginners in Bible study, or really anyone doing Bible study, is that it can be used as a guide for study. The book summaries within the Bible handbook outline each book and the key message within each section.
As such, it makes the perfect resource for for Bible teachers, pastors, or even individual study. Why? Because you are able to walk through a book at a manageable pace while understanding its key themes, characters, and passages.
This makes a Bible handbook a great way to walk through the Bible on your own for the first time. It’s manageable, accessible, and practical. It will not only deepen your love and appreciation of the Bible, but also help you grow spiritually as well.
Enhanced Spiritual Growth
Lastly, a Bible handbook is essential to beginners because it can enhance your spiritual growth. A Bible handbook not only provides information, but also offers theological and practical insights. These features help you see the heart of the Bible’s message and how it relates to your life today.
As such, your relationship with God can grow deeper. A Bible handbook helps you experience the Bible in a way that you encounter God. Your faith and love for God will grow as you begin to see how the message of the Bible relates to you.
Choosing a Bible Handbook
When choosing a Bible handbook to serve as a companion for your Bible study it is helpful to ask yourself some questions.
- How much more information does this handbook include than my study Bible? If your Study Bible includes most of the information found in a Bible handbook then consider going for a different handbook.
- Is this something you want as a permanent resource or not? If you are looking for a Bible handbook that you plan on using for the long term it might be wise to consider a high quality (and often a little pricier) one. They are more likely to stand the test of time including everyday wear and tear.
- Is it readable and usable? That is does it meet your needs. There is no point in having a Bible resource if it’s too difficult to understand. So, when picking one up make sure you can easily navigate and understand it.
- Are the illustrations helpful? if you are like me then you like illustrations. So when exploring a Bible Handbook that you are considering, spend time looking at the illustrations. Are the charts, maps, timelines, etc. easy to understand? Do the photos help bring the Bible to life in your mind?
Popular Bible Handbooks
Halley’s Bible Handbook was the first Bible handbook ever created. Since it was first published it has been updated and revised numerous times to keep up with the most recent Biblical scholarship and need of its audience.
Halley’s Bible Handbook is designed to enable and encourage every reader to consistently read and understand the Bible. The most recent, 25th edition offers unique features including:
- Full-color maps, photographs, illustrations, tables, and charts on almost every page.
- Practical Bible reading programs.
- Helpful tips for deeper Bible study.
- Updated archaeological information.
- Easy-to-understand sections on how we got the Bible and on church history.
- Improved indexes, including a color-coded edge index to easily find your place.
- A contemporary design.
As such, it is arguably one of the best, if not the best Bible handbook available today.
What I like most about this handbook when compared to others is that this one includes more than just book summaries. The handbook I have, is mostly book summaries (which are helpful) or articles (that I do not find as helpful). Overall, I find Halley’s Bible handbook immensely practical and helpful.
Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook
The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook is a great resource for first time Bible study. It is a comprehensive book-by-book guide that boasts numerous full color maps, illustrations, and charts.
The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook is simple to read and offers the best in evangelical scholarship. As such, readers will discover how each part of the Bible fits into and informs every other part of the Bible.
This is the Bible handbook that I have and use. It is a great resource to quickly understand the historical and cultural context of a passage. And is perfect for beginners in Bible study. It also includes some helpful articles on how to study the Bible and how we got the Bible.
That said, I wish that it included a Bible reading/study plan like Halley’s Bible Handbook. As sometimes I struggle to consistently stay in God’s word. I’m sure many beginners in Bible study do as well. So, it would be helpful to have some more practical articles or resources like that in this handbook.
Overall, though, the Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook is my go to resource to capture the big picture story of a book in the Bible before I read or study it. It will make a great addition to your Bible study bookshelf.
The Ultimate Bible Guide is a great resource for beginners in Bible study. It offers enough information so that beginners do not feel overwhelmed, while they are introduced to the key themes of each book of the Bible. This guide offers the following information about each book,
- Key text, term, and one sentence summary
- How each book contributes to and shapes a Christian worldview
- Key purpose and theological themes
- Author and date of writing
- First audience and destination
- Occasion that prompted the book being written
- Literary features of each book
- How Christ connects to each book
- Full color maps, charts, and more.
These features make this book really unique and valuable resource for first time Bible students who are also new to the faith. That said, the font is small and can be hard to read. Overall, though, it provides a nice introduction to each book of the Bible if you are unfamiliar with the Bible.
