Study Tools

There are a myriad of tools out there to help you in the study of God’s word. We have been blessed with highly educated and spiritually anointed people who have paved the way for us to be equipped.

There are many materials that can increase your knowledge, understanding, and ability to learn. Each one has a different purpose. You have to decide for yourself what you want to accomplish.

You also have to decide if you want to use electronics or paper. Maybe you want to use both. Everyone has their own preference. The most important thing is to remember to use what works for you and what will make you actually sit down and study.

Here is a list of resources you can look into to start the process. Please contact me if you have any questions or need more resources.

• Bible. Always start with the word of God. Get yourself a Bible. I own three different versions in paperback. This helps me to get a good grasp on what is being said. Some versions are word for word translations, some are word for thought, and others are thought for thought. I would encourage you to have more than one version when you are studying. There are good Bible apps online that offer multiple versions in the same app. Please be careful if you are not familiar with a version you have never studied before. Contact a woman you trust who is knowledgeable and can lead you in the right direction. Not all Bibles are accurate in their translation. Remember a Bible that paraphrases loses the content and substance.
• Concordance. I love my concordance. The Bible’s original text was written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). The concordance allows you to look up the original words used, find the meaning and what other place it was used. A concordance breaks down each word in the Bible. Every word in the Bible is listed and every place that word is used is listed. It is a great way to do a word search on a topic and see what God has to say about a subject.
• Bible dictionary. This is a dictionary of Bible items and terms. It is very good to help you understand what something is and what its purpose would have been. It gives you a vast array of knowledge on things you are not familiar with. Using a Bible dictionary gives depth to your study and helps add value to the text.
• Bible commentaries. These are study books that different authors have written to explain what is being said in the different books of the Bible. It can be very helpful when you are not sure what the original author of the Bible is teaching. You will find this is where many authors reveal their doctrinal beliefs. Most write with an interpretation based on the denominational background of the author. If you decide to use one, remember it it not the Bible and these people are not infallible. The authors are not inspired by God like the authors of the Bible are. They usually write with a bent towards their own personal views. They can be very useful tools when you don’t know where to start or have a lot of knowledge in the word of God.
• Interlinear Bible. This is a Hebrew and Greek Bible that has the English translations written below each word. It also includes the number from the concordance and the definition of each word.
• Bible studies. Bible studies can be focused on a theme, topic, spiritual gift, practice, or, very specifically, a particular book of the Bible. These are nice to have because someone has already done the research and the materials are generally included in the study. Typically all you need is a Bible and pen.
• Free online college courses. There are many Christian colleges that give you access to their class videos and lessons. You will not get credit for the courses but you will get the same education the active students are receiving. This is a great way to grow and learn about the Bible from highly educated and well informed Christians.
• A mentor/discipler. Find another Christian woman who is spiritually mature and has studied God’s word in depth. Use her as a sounding board. Pick her brain and ask her for advice. Sit with her and let her teach you in a one-on-one Bible study time.

These are just a few of the many avenues available to you. Try one or multiple tools and see what works best for you. The most important thing is that you keep reading God’s word. Pick it up every day and do your best to search out the truth. God has given you the Holy Spirit and he will help teach you if you allow him to.

God bless and happy studies!