Books that help you in Bible studies

Then turn in your bible to the reference provided in the concordance and begin reading. (2) Lets say you have a question about
a certain topic like salvation, marriage or what ever. Simply think of a word that may be mentioned concerning your topic. Then
look that word up in the concordance to find references in the bible where that word is used. In this respect it is kind of like
using the yellow pages in your phone book. (3) Lets say you have a question about some meaning of a biblical word. Besides
looking in a dictionary you can also look in the concordance. In this way you can study the various ways that the word in
question is used throughout the bible. Some of the exhaustive concordances will contain the Strong's numbering system. The
Strong's numbering system is simply a number which is given to each Greek or Hebrew word in the Old and New Testament.
To use this you would look up the word in question in English. Pick out the verse in which the word is used. Next to this is a
number. Now you would look up that number in the Greek or Hebrew dictionary at the back of the concordance. Hebrew for the
Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. There you will find a short definition of the Greek or Hebrew word that was
translated into English in the bible.

There is a concordance that is different than the ones I just described. It is called the Englishman's Concordance. This
concordance is based upon the Strong's numbering system and enables you to find every Greek or Hebrew word in the bible,
regardless of how it is translated in English. For example Ps.82:6 uses the word "gods" #430 in the Strong's when speaking of
some unjust judges. This same Hebrew word #430 is also translated as " judges" in Ex.22:9. Jesus also quoted this passage
in the 82nd Psalm in John 10:34. We gain some insight to the context of this passage then realizing these people are not
literally "gods" as compared to the one true God. They are called "gods" in respect to their position as judges. This is found
both in the context and the definition and use of the Hebrew word #430. As I already mentioned you can gain insight to the
meaning of an English word by studying the various ways that it is used. With the Englishman's concordance you can gain
some insight to the original Greek or Hebrew word. This is done simply by studying the various ways that it is translated into
English.

Dictionaries: A good dictionary such as Webster's Dictionary is extremely helpful. We often read over words such as holy,
grace, faith and sanctification without truly understanding what the word means. The passage that you are studying will make
more sense when you understand the meaning of the words used in it. Look up some key words in the verse in the dictionary, it
may surprise you. There are also bible dictionaries. There is a difference between a bible dictionary and a regular dictionary. A
bible dictionary makes use of the Greek and Hebrew that the word in question was originally translated from. The bible
dictionary will often give you other references in scripture. The bible dictionary will also sometimes give added information on
history, customs, politics and other useful information to provide clarity. What was taking place in their time period will
sometimes give you insight to what the author is trying to get across. There are many good bible dictionaries Nelson's bible
dictionary is one of them.

Topical Bibles: A Topical bible is an alphabetical listing of subjects found in the bible. It has some advantage over an
exhaustive concordance. Lets say for example that you want to study what the bible has to say about marriage. There are
places in the bible where marriage is being discussed, but the words "married or marriage" are not used. The passage may
mention the husband or wife. The Topical Bible groups these passages together for you giving you references throughout the
bible where your subject is being discussed. Nave's Topical Bible is one that I find very useful.

Bible Commentaries: A bible commentary is a book or notes of someone's comments of the verses within a particular book
in the bible. Many bible scholars have written commentaries to explain and interpret the scripture for you. In a similar fashion
this is what a pastor does in church. The pastor explains and interprets passages in the bible for you and often gives
application as well. This monthly newsletter would also fall into this category. A commentary is a useful tool because it can bring
things to your attention that you may not have thought of. The commentator does a lot of research and hopefully spends a lot of
time in prayer as well. Because of this they can often provide useful insight to a particular passage or subject. By reading or
listening to a commentator you will also be subjected to what the commentator holds to be true. Because the commentator is
human they can and do make mistakes. Therefore it is wise to study the scriptures for yourself as well. The pastor or
commentator can help you in the learning process but part of the responsibility falls on the student. The people of Berea were
commended because they eagerly accepted what the Apostle Paul had to say, but it did not end there. They also searched the
scriptures daily to see if what the Apostle Paul was teaching was true.

Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

It would be wise to follow the example of these people of Berea. Don't just take some commentators word for something. Your
salvation and spiritual growth are important. Check out what is taught by your pastor or commentator for yourself. Is what you
are being taught in the Bible? Is it being taken out of context? These things you must decide for yourself. This is true of this
website as well. Look up the references provided and see if what we say is true. Cults thrive on people that are unwilling to
study or think for themselves. Do not be afraid to question a teaching. You learn by asking questions, but make sure what you
believe is well grounded in God's written word. If it is not in the bible on what grounds can one establish it as divine truth? I will
mention a couple of commentaries that I believe are overall basically good commentaries. Matthew Henry's commentary and
The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Both of these sets of commentaries are basically pretty good. Also I believe the Living
Bible makes a good commentary. Do not misunderstand me though, I am not saying everything in these books are true. I am
saying that as a whole, on major doctrines such as God, Jesus and your salvation these are good commentaries.

Software: Bible software has some advantages. For one thing the books are often cheaper. The price of volumes of books
add up quickly. These books can be produced on a CD much cheaper than they can be bound into paper books. Therefore if
you are buying several books as a package they may be found cheaper in this form. Also software books usually have search
capabilities. This means that you can find any word or phrase within volumes of books with the click of a button. Another
advantage is when you are writing. Portions of books can be copied to the word processor simply by highlighting them and
clicking a couple of buttons. I have several CD's that I use for research and study. The PC Study Bible, Reference Library Plus
by Bible Soft is my favorite and most used CD.
I also find my software by Logos very helpful.

Where to purchase these tools: Everything that I mentioned in this chapter can very likely be found in your local Christian
bookstore. Look in the yellow pages in your phone book to find the one nearest you. There is also a mail order place called
Christian Book Distributors. I have found on several occasions they are cheaper than my local Christian bookstore. You should
keep in mind when ordering from CBD that the cost of shipping and handling is added onto the price of the book, video or
software.
Christian Book Distributors
P.O. Box 7000 Peabody, MA, 01961-7000
Call: (977) 977-5000 and request a free catalog.

Application: As I stated earlier to find the answers to your questions, spend time in the Bible and Prayer. Most questions
would be categorized as a topical study. Ask yourself if your question was to be labeled as a topic, what would it be titled? Now
look that word up in the topical bible and Concordance. Study the passages that are referred to and look up the cross
references provided. Many questions can be answered simply by doing this. This can often lead into word studies. If the
passage you are referred to uses what seems to be a key word unfamiliar to you, look it up. Find out what does the word
mean?

How else is this word used in the bible? For these types of questions use your dictionaries and concordance.
There is no substitute for studying the bible in full context. Do not just use the bible to find quick answers to your questions. As a
general rule if you want to be physically healthy you feed yourself good food and exercise your body. If you want to be spiritually
healthy then feed yourself on the word of God, Pray and exercise your mind Deut.8:3, Mt.4:4 &22:37, Lk. 11:1-13 &12:29-31,
Rom.12:2, Phil.4:8, James 1:5. When you are studying chapters and books in the bible ask yourself questions. Who is
speaking in this passage and who is being spoken to? What is the main point that is being discussed? When did this take
place or when is it going to take place? Where is this taking place? Look at a map to see. Why did this happen? Most
important how does this relate to me? What can I learn from this?

Always start with prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal his truth to you and help you to apply what you learn. Next read the whole
passage in context. Perhaps read it more than once in different versions of the bible. Even if it is a familiar passage don't
assume that you already know everything it says. I have learned from passages by going back to them even though I had
already memorized it! Look up the cross-references and let the Bible interpret itself. Look up definitions of key words, how are
they used elsewhere?

I recommend that you read the commentaries last. This way you won't be approaching the passage with some
pre-conceived notion. When you do read the commentaries don't forget to look for historical information. Sometimes this will
give you a better understanding of why something in the passage was stated.