What do you need to study the Bible?
Does studying the Bible feel difficult or like a daunting task? You get so overwhelmed you end up scrolling through your phone because it’s easier. Yeah, I’ve been there too. Luckily, there are many great resources that can make studying the Bible easier. So, what tools do we need to study the Bible?
There are many great tools that help us study the Bible, including: bible dictionaries, commentaries, bible handbooks, atlases, concordances, expository dictionaries, and topical bibles. Though, the best tool for studying the bible is a good quality study bible. These tools serve a variety of purposes and which ones you need will depend on which method of Bible study you prefer.
What Tools Do You Need to Study The Bible
What tools you will need to make studying your Bible easier will depend on which Bible Study Method you want to use, how deep you want to go in the study, the money you want to spend on these Bible study tools, and whether or not you want to use digital tools and resources.
But first, let’s take a quick look at commonly used Bible study resources and see what they are and how they are used.
Commonly Used Bible Tools
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Bible Dictionary
A Bible dictionary is a great resource for beginners in Bible study. It is a reference that contains definitions for key words of Scripture, including people’s names, places, animals, plants, themes, concepts, and more.
The Bible dictionary that I use is called the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. It is usually the first place I turn to learn more about the historical and cultural context of a verse, or get a good background on a biblical character or author.
Commentaries
Commentaries are often used in personal study of the Bible. They are a resource that contains notes that explain the meaning of passages of scripture. Most commentaries will attempt to explain how a passage fits into the larger context of the story of the Bible as a whole.
You can get specific commentaries on each book of the Bible. The best commentary series for beginners would be the NIV Application Commentary. Commentaries can be expensive, though there are great free online commentaries like the one at BibleRef.com. It is important to remember that commentaries are not scripture, just a specific author’s notes on Scripture.
Bible Handbook
Bible Handbooks are wonderful tools for new Christians and those beginning to study the Bible for the first time. They provide overviews of each book of the Bible. If you want to start studying the Bible start by getting a Bible handbook (after a bible, of course). They offer a wealth of information including charts, maps, outlines, commentary notes, etc.
The Bible handbook that I have and use is called the Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook. It is the first place I turn when I start studying a specific book in the Bible and want to get a big picture look at it.
Atlas
A Bible Atlas will have maps of places and geographical notes for stories all throughout the Bible. Understanding the geography of biblical stories can shed new light on our understanding and really make them come alive.
It might not be the first Bible study tool you want to go and get, but if you want the stories of the Bible to come alive a good atlas will help.
Concordance
A Concordance is an alphabetical listing of words in the Bible and where they are found. This comes in handy when you want to see what other verses mention a particular word. It also helps in seeing the range of meaning for a word.
Concordances can be a little challenging to use, especially if you are new to Bible study. But don’t panic, you can still do a great Bible study without a concordance. But once you know how to use a concordance it’s really not that hard.
Thankfully there are great online Bible study websites that make using a concordance easier, like biblehub.com.
Expository Dictionary
An expository dictionary will give you the Hebrew or Greek meaning behind a particular word and explain how it is used in various contexts in the Bible. You use it just like you would a regular dictionary. Just look up the English word and read the explanation.
The expository dictionary is not a tool that I use often. The one I have is Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. I do use it when I want to know more of how a word would have been understood in ancient times.
Topical Bible
A topical bible lists words in an alphabetical order and verses where that word is found. They are extremely helpful for wanting to do an inductive study on a particular person or characteristic
I rarely use my topical bible, the Zondervan NIV Nave’s Topical Bible. Though, I will use it to quickly find other verses that mention a specific topic, especially if I want to see what other Biblical authors have to say.
What Tools Do I need for Lectio Divina?
The Lectio Divina Method of Bible study is meditative and prayer focused. So, you don’t need any of the commonly used Bible study tools to study the Bible. All I would do is get a good study Bible, such as the ESV Study Bible and the follow the Lectio Divina method of Bible Study.
What Tools do I need for SOAP Bible Study?
The SOAP Bible Study is a fantastic Bible study method to use for beginners and all ages alike.
If you are starting out learning to study the Bible with this method. Then I recommend that you get a Bible handbook and a Bible dictionary to use. These two resources alone will help you dive deep into God’s word and gain insights you’ve never come across before.
What tools do I need for Inductive Bible Study?
The Inductive method of Bible study is a thorough study of Scripture from its original context and meaning to cultural and historical insights.
If you are going to use this method of Bible study I would recommend the following tools (ranked in order of importance):
- A Bible Handbook
- A Bible Dictionary
- A Topical Bible
- Commentaries
- A Concordance
- A Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words
- An Atlas
Where to Find these Bible Study Tools
If you are interested in possessing physical copies of these Bible study resources can be found at online retailers such as Amazon, ChristianBook.com, and Lifeway.
Or if you would prefer digital copies you can invest in Bible study software like Logos. Or visit Bible study websites like Bible Gateway or Bible Hub.
How Much would These Bible Study Tools Cost
Building a good bible study bookshelf can be expensive. So, let’s take an honest look at how much these bible resources are:
| Low End Price | High End Price | Average Price | |
| Bible Dictionaries | ~$25.00 | ~$60.00 | ~$36.00 |
| Commentaries | $13.00 (for books in Wiersbe’s Be Series) | $20-50 (for NIV Application Commentary Books) | ~$35.00 |
| Bible Handbooks | ~$20.00 | ~$60.00 | ~$33.00 |
| Atlas | ~$10.00 | ~$45.00 | ~$30.00 |
| Concordances | ~$30.00 | ~$50.00 | ~$40.00 |
| Expository Dictionaries | ~$25.00 | ~$55.00 | ~$40.00 |
| Topical Bibles | ~$20.00 | ~$30.00 | ~$25.00 |
| Study Bibles | ~$35.00 | ~$60.00 | ~$46.00 |
As you can see these prices can quickly add up, so buy things when they are on sale or in a used but good condition.
If you want to start studying the Bible on your own don’t feel overwhelmed or like it is out of reach. Because it’s not. First, choose a Bible study method that you are interested in. Second, get a good study Bible and begin. Take it one day, one moment at a time. Trust God and He will make His word come alive in your heart and life.
