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I get it. Bible study can be difficult sometimes. Between interpreting prophecies and attempting to dig through genealogies, it can be intimidating and sometimes boring; but it doesn’t have to be. That is why resources such as commentaries, dictionaries, and maps are extremely useful and a lot of fun. I’m going to talk you through each resource and how to use them, and how to incorporate them into your Bible study.
Commentaries
Ever come across a passage that made absolutely no sense? Never fear, commentaries are here! This resource will help you have a better understanding of any passage in Scripture. Generally, they are laid out in outlines, verse-by-verse explanations, and some even have cross-references to challenge you to deeper study.
*One commentary I highly recommend is the two-volume Bible Knowledge Commentary set. This set is divided into the Old and New Testaments. It is great for beginners and easy to understand.
To use a commentary, read through the passage in front of you. Is there anything you don’t quite get? If so, pick up your commentary (some are free online or on the Esword program) and look up the passage in the commentary. Skim through until you find the verse in question, and you will find the explanation and you’ll probably also find a few cross-reference for further study.
Warning: Don’t let a commentary become a crutch. Remember to read the Bible text first.
Bible Dictionaries
A Bible dictionary is a great tool to find information on people, places, and concepts. It will be of great value when trying to find the meaning of a name or location.
Using a Bible dictionary is just like using a regular dictionary. Let’s say you’re looking up information about Nazareth. Locate the “N” section in the dictionary, skim until you find Nazareth, and read until you find the information necessary for your study.
Maps and Atlases
Traveling to the Holy Land shouldn’t have to cost more than a few bucks at the most. Why? We have maps, atlases, and guides right at our fingertips. These are helpful when we are studying the missionary journeys of Paul, the life of Jesus, and the travels of Abram after he left Ur.
Some online resources also share actual photos of these locations, such as modern Bethlehem, the graves of the patriarchs, and Hezekiah’s tunnels.
Concordances
The fourth resource you should be using is a concordance. These books list out all of the instances that a certain word is mentioned in the Bible, and they will often give the Greek or Hebrew translations. These are super useful in doing word studies and topical studies.
What other resources can you think of? Feel free to talk about them in the comments below or on social media!
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