WHAT STUDY TOOLS DO I NEED?

The most important tool for studying the Bible is a good Bible. Begin with a good translation. Plan to mark it up. A single-column page may give more space for writing your own notes in the margins. Think before you write or underline anything on the pages of your Bible ... be sure that it will be meaningful. Remember that commentaries, paraphrases, study Bible notes, books, messages, and teaching tapes give you God's Word secondhand. Invest the bulk of your study time directly in your Bible.

Which Bible should I use? There are three types of Bibles. The best for study is a good translation. It is the most accurate and precise because it closely follows the original language word for word ... more than paraphrases and dynamic equivalents do. Good English translations include the New American Standard (NASB) and the New King James. A paraphrase is a much more readable text ... but it is not as accurate as a translation is. Paraphrases are better at conveying the ideas than they are at translating the details. The Living Bible and The Message are popular English paraphrases. A dynamic equivalent is more of a thought-for-thought than word-for-word translation. The New International Version (NIV) is a dynamic equivalent. Dynamic equivalents and paraphrases are not as good as translations for detailed study. A great starting point would be a study Bible in a good translation.

What books would help? As the need arises, build a personal study reference library from the following.

1. A study Bible containing notes, outlines, cross-references, maps, and an abridged concordance ... such as The Ryrie NASB.

2. A concordance for use as a word and verse finder ... available in abridged or complete (exhaustive) versions ... be sure it matches your Bible version.

3. A Bible dictionary for facts and details about the people, places, things, and times referenced in the Bible.

4. A commentary giving verse-by-verse and section-by-section interpretation of the Bible

What about Bible Study software for my computer? This is a great way to get many resources at a reasonable price. A CD-ROM is essential for any Bible program beyond the very basic ones. Ask a friend or contact Acts One Eight for a recommendation.

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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.