What are you using to study the bible?

I was just introduced to an online thing at bible.org Lumina and from the outset it looks great but I haven't gone through it a great deal. Only tested some things out. I have been looking for something like this that gives original language and expounds on it with other scriptures without giving out someone's mere opinion on it.

I find this to be great for my own spiritual life but also as I talk to others about Jesus.

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John

Is blue letter strictly an online resource?

I have learned that a reader has to pay careful attention to certain words because there are certain words that cause churches to split and cults to be invented.

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John

Great topic. I’ve tried many different methods over the years, such as the Inductive Bible Study approach, using a Study Bible with commentary notes and references, using commentaries, and using Greek and Hebrew lexicons. These days I’d say I use a combination of all of those. I try to read and study slow enough to be able to really chew on and digest well enough what I read.

First I read slowly through a chapter in my Bible which does not contain certain helps such as commentary notes or cross references. As I read I have two crayons and a pen handy to highlight certain portions that stick out. I use a green crayon to highlight portions that stick out for devotional, personal application. I use a blue crayon to highlight portions that stick out for sharing with the lost (sometimes those same portions are also applicable and convicting to me in my walk). I use a pen to underline or circle certain words or portions. Sometimes I write out certain portions on an index card for memorization for both personal, devotional purposes and witnessing to the lost.

If I want more clarification on certain words from the original language I use a lexicon called “The Complete Word Study Dictionary”. In case anyone is interested here is the link to that resource at christianbook.com (also available through Amazon):
http://goo.gl/1Z6r1L

After I’ve made sure to first study the Word without helps I also look in my Matthew Henry Study Bible which has brief commentary notes on most verses and cross references. I also end up highlighting some of Henry’s notes that stick out. Here also is the link to that resource at christianbook.com in case anyone is interested (also available through Amazon):
http://www.christianbook.com/the-matthew-henry-bible-hardcover/9781598563405/pd/563405?event=ESRCG

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Oracio

Not familiar with Matthew Henry.

Thanks for the links. I am looking for a good combination of paperback books as well as online resources in order to study the scriptures more. This includes look at those things which cause arguments such as why slaves in the bible and so forth. I am using some arguments from Atheists to help me in this as well as the stuff I see from Jehovah's Witnesses to help me zone in on certain things.

I looked at an Interlinear but the print was so small it was a no go. The book was huge, another no go.

I kind of like the bible.org lumina but I can't seem to get it to go back 2 Corinthians but I love out it is laid out.

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John

This website is also great for quickly looking up word definitions from the original languages:

http://www.apostolic-churches.net/bible/strongs.html

As you click on the words it takes you to the Strong's definitions.

As a side note here, I'm also trying to make a habit of listening to the Word in audio form and find it very edifying. I listen to it in the NKJV. Here is the link to the audio version I listen to case anyone is interested:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Religion-Spirituality/NKJV-Voice-Only-Audio-Bible-Audiobook/B002V02ENI/ref=a_pd_Religi_c8_2_sim_auth

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Oracio

Back in the 1960s when I was in Bible School I took a course "Inductive Method of Bible Study". Since then I have used the principles I learned there in my own Bible Study.

I have "The International Inductive Study Bible". It has wide margins, plenty of room for brief notes. I mark up my Bible with high-lighters of different colors. I may also outline if I see a pattern emerging; if I get a profound insight I will write it in. Only disadvantage to this book is that it is large and heavy.

For many years I used no outside lit to assist in my study - Inductive Method teaches you to let the Bible interpret itself. A few months ago I felt compelled to get a Bible Atlas. What fueled this desire was I was reading in the OT where names of places were given and then I wondered about their location, how they related to each other, etc. After doing a search on the web, checking the reviews, I settled on a "Holman Bible Atlas" (HC). Best investment I made in a long time. It is like seeing these Bible Stories in three dimension. The WOW factor grew! They are greater and more awesome then I imagined. And I get excited! If you are around me very long you will hear about it...

My experience.

Sandra

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Sandra Miller

Aside from some of the ones mentioned already, I like the Olive
Tree app. I have ESV, NASB, KJV and ESV keyed to Strong's. The latter is really nice to use, easy. Any app that gives you NASB or ESV with Strong's is good, IMO.

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Tim

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Oracio