subject: Bible Study Aids - The Ones You've Got To Use [print this page] Bible Study Aids - The Ones You've Got To Use
Having Bible study aids really help to have a deeper understanding of God's Word. And they are much simpler to use that one might think.
There are tools available today that make it easy rather than a challenge. Where these resources use to be available only to theologians, they are now available through the Internet for free to anyone. They are also available in book form as well.
Some of the different types of Bible study aids are the following:
- Bible dictionaries feature definitions and explanations of terms, characters, places or quotes. Bible dictionaries often provide pictures which will help you visualize what you are reading.
- Bible commentaries are books that contain comments or notes on Biblical text. Many Bible students only use commentaries as study aids, but I don't recommend that. Commentaries are best used after you have done your own research on a passage. It's just one tool, not the only tool.
- Bible concordance is an index of words and where they occur in the Bible. It is easy to find one that is comprehensive.
- Bible encyclopedias are explanation of words, persons and places in the Bible.
- Bible history is an explanation of events, geography, culture, science, and politics that affected what happened in those Bible times.
- Lexicons is a Bible dictionary based on the Greek or Hebrew words and their definitions. Word studies can yield great insight, especially studies around the Greek words since the Greek language of Scripture can hold so much more meaning that can be fully translated into English.
- Maps offer geography of the land during a particular time or event from the Bible. You may be surprised how many passages of Scripture take on new meaning and yield greater insight once you know the literal "lay of the land."
Whether you use an online version of these Bible study aids or you buy them for your bookshelf, this list comprises enough tools to dig as deeply into Scripture as you want or need.
Get these tools and your familiarity with them will grow. Before you know it, you will be able to know exactly the study aid you need to find exactly the information you want as it relates to Scripture. Then your study of the Bible won't be intimidating, it will be as predictable a joy as your favorite pastime or hobby. Don't delay!
