The Most Useful Bible Study Tool, Plus Using it Well
When you are starting to study the Bible for the first time, you want to make sure that you get the most useful resources. Otherwise, you’ll have this book that sits on your shelf and collects dust. The most useful Bible study resource is one that is versatile and easy to use. Curious as to what that is? Let’s find out.
Overall, the most useful Bible study resource is a study Bible. A study Bible offers all the study material one needs right alongside the Biblical text. It may include commentary, maps, background information, and a concordance. This makes a study Bible versatile, helpful, and easy to use.
Honestly, you can do a lot with a good study Bible. So, let’s dive deeper and see how to get the most out of a study Bible and why it is a wise investment for all Christian’s seeking to learn to study the Bible.
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Study Bible: The Most Useful Tool
A study Bible is a Bible study resource that contains helpful study material alongside the Biblical text. As such, a study Bible is the most useful tool one can have when learning to study the Bible for the first time. That study material that can be found in a study Bible includes,
- Study Notes/Commentary: These are notes, insights, and background information to a specific verse or passage written by leading Bible scholars, teachers, or pastors. Often, they can be found at the bottom of the page to the verse they are referencing below a solid horizontal line.
- Cross-references: Cross-references are like links on a webpage. They show links and connections to other verses that cover a similar topic or that may shed light on a particular verse. They an be found below or beside the Biblical text.
- Concordance: Often a study Bible will include a concordance located in the back of the Bible. The concordance will list popular words and popular verses where those words are found.
- Book Introductions: Book introductions provide information about the author, audience, and context to a particular book in the Bible. Most frequently, they can be found in front of the Biblical text where a book starts.
- Maps and Illustrations: Some Study Bible will have maps and illustrations throughout the study Bible near passages they would be helpful for. These maps and illustrations can help readers grasp the geographical and historical context of a passage and make the story come alive.
- Articles: Some study Bibles will include articles on a variety of topics ranging from how we got the Bible, to theology, to more practical articles like applying passages to our life. Sometimes these articles are found throughout the Bible. Other times they can be in the front or back of the Bible.
As you can see, a study Bible contains a lot of helpful information and resources all in one book. You can think of a study Bible as the Swiss army knife of Bible study tools. It has a little bit of everything and that makes it extremely useful to carry around and you’ll use it quite frequently.
That said, it is important to remember there is a big difference between the parts of the study Bible. A study Bible contains both God’s word and man’s word. It’s important that we constantly distinguish between what is inspired by God and what is not.
Often times the publishers help us do this in how they organize and structure the study Bible. The study notes are clearly separate from the Biblical text and often in a smaller font size. And articles are clearly distinguished either by their placement before or after the Biblical text or by their design.
“Think of a study Bible as the Swiss army knife of Bible study tools.”
Overall, it’s vital we remember that the Biblical text is true, always true. Why? Because it is from God. The study notes, however wise and helpful they may be, are fallible, it is possible they contain mistakes. But the Biblical text itself is faultless.
So, let’s see how we can get the most out of the study materials found in a study Bible to help us experience the Bible in a way that we encounter God.
How to Use the Study Notes
One of the most used parts of a study Bible is the study notes or commentary. It’s the main feature of the study Bible. If the large blade of a Swiss army knife is the Biblical text, then small blade is the study notes.
The study notes found in a study Bible is commentary from Bible scholars, pastors, or teachers that offer insight into specific passages or verses of Scripture. These notes can be academic, devotional, or pastoral in nature.
Typically, they are found at the bottom of the page, below a solid horizontal line, on the same page as the verse they are referring to. This clearly distinguishes them from Scripture, but also makes them easy to use and convenient.
So, when should you read these study notes? Before, during, or after you read the passage of Scripture? This largely depends on personal preference and what you are looking to get out of the study notes.
In general, it is recommended that you read the study notes after you study and read the passage for yourself. This ensures that you are (1) making God’s word a priority, and (2) not being dependent on others interpretations of Scripture.
That said, there are still multiple ways that you can use the study notes. You can read a verse, then read the study notes on that verse, then read the next verse, then the notes, then the next verse, etc.
Personally, what I find most helpful is to read the entire passage I am studying, either the chapter or section of verses, then read all the notes for that passage. If I need reminded of what the notes are referring to, then I’ll go back and read the specific verse it’s referencing.
How to Use the Cross-References
The Cross-references are often the most overlooked and underutilized part of a study Bible. We can think of it as the hook in the Swiss army knife.
The hook in the Swiss army knife can be used for many different functions. Officially, it was designed to carry packages tied together with a small string. Like newspaper bundles, mail, etc. That said, it can also be used to pull thread through a hole if need be.
Likewise, the cross-references are like Scripture carrying Scripture. It weaves together the threads of the Biblical story, allowing users to see the big picture story of the Bible and how Scripture can interpret Scripture.
The cross-references link one verse of Scripture to another verse. This other verse often sheds light on the previous one by a common theme or phrase.
Take a look at this picture below to see what it may look like in a study Bible.
You can see throughout the passage there are little superscript letters, like an “a”, for example. Then, in the cross-reference list we find our verse bolded with a little “a”. The following references are other places that we can turn to that may shed light on the first verse we read.
You can follow these cross-references as much or as little as you like. They really help the you see how the Bible is one story and works together to share the message of the gospel and Jesus on every page.
How to Use the Concordance
Most study Bibles will also include a concordance lists popular words and the verses where they can be found in the Bible.
We can think of the concordance like the punch/sewing awl in the Swiss army knife. This tool can be used for punching holes in leather, sewing, or pulling thread. It comes in handy when doing emergency repairs.
Likewise, a concordance comes in handy when you are looking for a verse quickly on a specific topic. It’s perfect for when you are going through a crisis of faith or something and you want to know what the Bible says about it.
For example, say you are struggling with hope. You can look up hope in the concordance and it will list several verses that talk about hope (Ps. 39:7; Ps. 42:5; Ps. 119:81; Prv. 13:12; Jer. 14:22; Rom. 12:12; 1 Cor. 13:13; 2 Cor. 1:10; Gal. 5:5; Heb. 3:6, and 1 Pt. 1:3).
A concordance is really easy to use. It’s like a dictionary in that it lists words in alphabetical order. This makes finding the word or topic you are looking for quite simple.
Now, a study Bible will not list every or every verse that contains a specific word. There is simply not enough room for that. There are different types of concordances for more depth.
If you are curious about the different types of concordances, then check out this article. It will discuss not only the different types of concordances there are, but also which ones are best for beginners.
That said, the verses mentioned in the concordance of the study Bible are the most popular and therefore more likely to be ones you are looking for.
Not only is the concordance in the study Bible useful for finding verses during times of crises. But they can also be useful for doing a quick word study on a specific topic in the Bible.
If you are interested in knowing how to use a concordance to do a word study, then check out this article that walks you through the process step by step.
How to Use the Book Introductions
In a study Bible each book of the Bible has a book introduction. This introduction discusses the historical and cultural context and background of the book. It provides information on,
- author
- audience
- setting
- circumstances of writing
- literary features
- outline
You can think of the book introduction like its the corkscrew on the Swiss army knife. The corkscrew is used to open a bottle of wine by extracting the cork from the bottle. Why? So you can get to the good stuff.
In a similar way the book introductions to each book of the Bible provide a nice overview of the book and extracts the historical and cultural context of the passage. This helps the reader and person doing a Bible study better understand in interpret the good stuff of God’s word.
Personally, what I’ve found most helpful is to read the book introduction before I begin a study on the book. For instance, soon I’ll start reading through John. So, first, I’ll read the book introduction to learn more about the book, then I’ll start reading through the gospel itself.
I find this approach to helpful in that it lays out a nice foundation to build upon when studying a book or passage. You can even use the outline in the book introduction as a tool to help you know how much to read or study at a time.
How to Use the Maps and Illustrations
Most study Bibles are going to have maps and illustrations that provide visual insight on the passage you are studying. These are like like the screwdriver/bottle (or can) opener tools on the Swiss army knife.
The screwdriver/can opener is small and can be overlooked. Likewise, the maps and illustrations can be small and overlooked. But like a can opener opens a can, these tools can open our eyes to the Biblical world.
They can prove essential to understanding a passage of Scripture. For example, you are reading through the story of the Exodus and get to the part that describes the building of the tabernacle. Moses goes into a lot of detail describing the structure, building, and instruments of the tabernacle.
But if you are like me, then his descriptions make it hard to visualize what exactly everything looked like. Thankfully, a study Bible can provide detailed illustrations on the layout and structure of the tabernacle, as well as, the instruments inside of it.
Utilizing the maps and illustrations in a study Bible is a great help, especially if you are a visual learner. So, to get the most out of the maps and illustrations, take your time in familiarizing yourself with the geography of Israel and the ancient near east.
How to Use the Articles
Some study Bibles, though not all, will have articles within them. Think of these articles as the scissors of a Swiss army knife. Scissors are used for more precise cuts. Likewise, these articles are able to got more in-depth and provide more precise commentary than the study notes.
Articles found in study Bibles can be informative, pastoral, or devotional in tone depending on the intended audience and use of the study Bible. Also, these articles can include numerous different topics like,
- History of the Bible
- Church History
- How to Study the Bible
- Archeology and the Bible
- Salvation History
- Essentials of Christian Faith
- Biographies of Biblical people
- etc.
Honestly, I only read the articles when they interest me. For example, the other day I was reading one on church history. That said, there is a lot of good information within the articles that can deepen and grow your Bible study habits. So be sure to look at the table of contents and don’t neglect the articles.
Other Tips For Getting the Most Out of a Study Bible
Now that we’ve seen how immensely useful and practical a study Bible is in Bible study. Let’s go over some other tips for getting the most out of a study Bible.
| Tips | Description | When to Use | Practicality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguish between God’s word and man’s word | Differentiate between the Bible’s divinely inspired content and human interpretations. This helps you prioritize God’s message over human opinion or commentary. | Always | Essential for theological accuracy |
| Read slowly and thoughtfully | Read the Bible at a deliberate pace, allowing time for reflection and understanding | During personal study and devotional time | Enhances comprehension and spiritual reflection |
| Do your own study first | Before consulting the study aids, engage in personal exploration and analysis of the Bible. Use the study aids as supplementary. | When seeking deeper understanding or interpretation | Encourages independent understanding |
| Take notes | Record your observations, questions, and insights as you read the Bible | During Bible study and research | Helps retain information and facilitates future reference. You can see how you grow spiritually. |
| Use more than one study Bible | Utilize multiple study Bibles to access different theological perspectives, commentary and insights | When seeking a deeper understanding or interpretation | Broadens perspective and provides diverse theological insights |
Choosing a Good Study Bible
Not all study Bibles are created equally. Some are more devotional while others are more informative. So, it’s important that you choose a good, high quality Study Bible, because you want it to be worth the investment.
That said, here are some key things to look for and consider when choosing a study Bible,
- Your Purpose: devotional, gain Biblical understanding, learn to study the Bible on your own, etc.
- Translation: Is it available in your preferred translation. For tips on choosing the right translation for you, check out this great article.
- Study Aids: Does the study Bible have the study aids you will use? Do they cover the depth you are looking for?
- Quality and Durability: Check the reviews on the study Bibles. Make sure they will stand up to wear and tear. After all, you’ll be using this resource a lot, hopefully.
- Budget: Study Bibles can vary in price. So set a budget you are comfortable with and stick to it. If you can’t find one in your budget that you like, wait a little longer to save some more.
Overall, you will want to look for a study Bible that will help you in learning more about and living out God’s word. So, find one that does that. One that encourages you to spend more time in the Bible and helps you learn how to live it out in your life.
In short, find one that helps you experience the Bible in a way that you encounter God. After all, that’s the whole purpose of Bible study. With that said, let’s look at some popular study Bibles.
Popular Study Bibles
The ESV Study Bible is a comprehensive study Bible that combines the accuracy of the ESV translation with some of the best in-depth study notes and commentary compiled to date. This makes this study Bible a choice for those seeking a deep and thorough understanding of Scripture.
The NIV Study Bible offers a user-friendly and accessible approach to the Bible. It features clear explanations and insights in the easy to understand NIV translation. This means this Study Bible is not as overwhelming as the ESV Study Bible can be. Therefore it is excellent for beginners and experts alike.
Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible
This study Bible provides a wealth of information and practical application from Bible teacher and scholar Dr. David Jeremiah. It is an immensely practical resource helping readers discover the power of God’s word, making it a vital resource for spiritual growth.
The Tony Evans Study Bible offers a unique perspective on Scripture with a focus on applying its principles to daily life. His commentary is both profound and practical. That makes this Study Bible an ideal choice for those seeking to live faith in practical ways and read the Bible in a way they encounter God.
The MacArthur Study Bible is known for its strong theological insights and clear explanations. This makes it a go-to resource for beginners in Bible study as well as teachers and pastors. Why? Because it will help deepen your understanding of the Bible and its teachings in a clear way.
To see how some of these study Bibles compare with one another, check out this great article. It’ll help you find the perfect study Bible for you.
