My Favorite Bible Study Tools by Pastor Mark Shupe
In connection with our “Context is Everything” teaching series, here is a list of some of my favorite and most used tools and resources for studying the Bible.
Study Bible
A good study Bible will include references and footnotes that aid in your understanding of a verse or verses in the Bible.
- I like using the New American Standard and New International Version translations.
Bible Dictionary
Provides explanations for places, people and even themes mentioned in the Bible.
- My favorites include New Bible Dictionary and Eerdmans Bible Dictionary.
Concordance
An alphabetical listing of words and phrases found in the Bible that also shows where those words are used in all books of the Bible.
- The two I use the most are Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and the New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (used with the New American Standard translation of the Bible).
Commentary
Insights from theologians that help in interpreting and understanding Scripture. I would suggest having a one volume commentary on the entire Bible and then get a commentary for a specific book of the Bible that you are wanting to read and study.
- Entire Bible Commentary – I recommend The Bible Knowledge Commentary, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary or Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible.
- For Individual Books of the Bible – My favorite series of commentaries is the Word Biblical Commentary.
Other Resources
Online Study Tools
- www.biblestudytools.com (click on the “Study” tab for a list of available study tools)
Bible Study Programs
- Logos Bible Software – a comprehensive digital library that contains more Bible study tools and resources than you will ever use that are accessible across multiple platforms. Check it out at www.logos.com.
