"How Can I Maximize My Bible Study Experience?"

Printed April 11, 2004

There are three very basic books that I recommend every Christian should have in their library.  If you are a new convert and just beginning your journey, these three books will begin your accumulation of study materials that will accompany you throughout your life.  If you already have an existing library, no matter the size, these will greatly accentuate your collection.  In fact, no library is complete without them.

The three study materials to which I refer are a Bible, a Bible Dictionary (not Webster) and a Concordance.  One may wonder why these three books should be purchased.  Aside from the Bible, a Bible Dictionary will define certain terms, places, and events, et cetera that will be identified when reading the Bible.  The majority do not write down their questions.  Most think, “I’ll ask the preacher” but many times that question is forgotten and never asked.  By having a Bible Dictionary, you would be able to search the answer for yourself.  A Concordance will enable you to look up a word e.g. faith and pinpoint other verses where that exact same word is found.  This is indispensable for topical studies e.g. “I wonder what else the Bible says about ‘wine’?”  I would like to explain and be more specific with each study aid.

First, your Bible must be of good quality, professional and practical.  It needs to represent you and be liked by you.  The less the preceding factors are applied the more your Bible will go unused.  If you are proud of your Bible then you will pick it up more often, study it throughout the day, carry it with you wherever you go, and take it home with you from worship and mid-week Bible Study.  (It is kind of difficult to leave a $70 Bible on the pew especially when it bears your name.)  Remember, a good Bible costs money.  This is not an area to be pinch pennies.

Secondly, there are several Bible Dictionaries available.  Let me mention three with which I have acquaintance.  Smith’s Bible Dictionary is fair for the moderate Bible student and is available for about $10.  Nelson’s Bible Dictionary is more comprehensive with a wider range of topics.  Containing pictures it is quite appealing.  This may be obtained for approximately $30.  Vine’s Bible Dictionary is more scholarly providing Greek and Hebrew definitions and is available for under $25.  Personally I recommend the last two Bible Dictionaries; they have independent but different strengths.

Thirdly, the Concordance is equally valuable.  There are two familiarities:  Strong’s and Young’s.  Strong’s is well-known and widely available.  Both are used to look up English words.  The prominent difference with Young’s is with the listings.  The book is subdivided by the Greek words to ensure that the English counterparts are grouped together e.g. Young’s separates agape from phileo where Strong’s groups them all together under the heading of love.  In other words, Young’s is more specific.  Usefully, both Strong’s and Young’s are keyed to Strong’s numbering system.  Prepare to choose the concordance that corresponds with your translation.  (There are KJV, NKJV, RSV and more.)  This final note is too important to neglect.

With these recommendations, anyone can have a simple library that allows them to study the deep things of God.  Finally brethren, have fun searching for these materials as well as searching in these materials.