Thessalonian Faith

Study Tools

Resources
for Studying
The Bible

Links to Amazon.com, Logos.com and other sources are offered as a convenience to the Bible student for the purposes of product descriptions and price comparisons.  Their use here does not constitute agreement with or indorsement of their philosophies, policies, practices, theology, products or services. Some of these resources can also be found at and are available from other sources (except online study tools, and Logos products which are only available from Logos.com and other Faithlife websites).

Be sure to compare products and prices to make sure you are getting what you need and for the best price. Purchase only those books that you can understand and will use.

Table of Contents

  1. Study Skills
  2. Study Resources
    1. Bibles:
    2. Study Bibles:
    3. Key Online Resources:
    4. How to Study the Bible: 
    5. Bible Study Software:
    6. More Online Resources:
    7. Online Bible Courses:

Please reports errors, typos or broken links to tim@thessalonianfaith.org. 

Study Skills

Segmentation

R3-V3 Study Process

Three Critical Questions

Study Resources

Bibles:

  • Formal1: Berean Standard Bible, A completely new English translation of the Holy Bible based on the best available manuscripts and sources. (This is the default translation used on this website and the lessons associated with it.)  [YouVersion] [Kindle] [Logos] [Print]
  • Formal: New American Standard Bible, 2020 edition. The New American Standard Bible has been widely embraced as the gold standard among word-for-word translations. Provides a clear understanding of God’s Word through updated English. [Amazon] [Kindle] [Logos] [Publisher]
  • Functional2: New Living Translation. A balance of readability and authority, it is easy to understand, and accurate to the original Greek and Hebrew text. [Amazon] [Kindle] [Logos]
  • Paraphrased3: Word Come Alive.  An extended translation of the New Testament that expresses the sense of the original text in contemporary, natural English [About]. Makes a great commentary. [Logos] [Publisher]

Study Bibles:

Regular:

  • Faithlife Study Bible Your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments with study notes, articles, media, and infographics. Included with many other great resources in the Free Edition of Logos Bible Software.  [About]
  • New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible The New Living Translation makes the message clear. The features of the NLT Study Bible bring the world of the Bible to life so that the meaning and significance of its message shine through. [Amazon] [Logos Bible and Notes] [Logos Study notes only; works with any Bible translation in Logos]
  • English Standard Version (ESV) Study Bible Includes notes, maps, illustrations, charts, timelines, articles, and introductions. [Amazon = Get this large print version – their fonts are small) [Logos = Study notes only; works with any Bible translation in Logos]

Specialty:

  • NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture Packed with expert insight into the customs, culture, and literature of Bible times, it serves to clarify your study of the Scriptures, reinforcing your confidence and bringing difficult passages of Scripture into sharp focus. [Amazon = Bible text and study notes]  [Logos = Study notes only; works with any Bible translation]
  • The Evidence Bible: Irrefutable Evidence for the Thinking Mind Equips readers to share the Gospel confidently. It includes fascinating quotes about God, the Bible, and faith. [Amazon] [Logos]

Key Online Resources:

A network of sites with a shared mission: to glorify God and reach people for Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually related questions.

  • Got Questions (Answers to YOUR questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, or theology.
    • Didn’t find what you are looking for? Try “SeekFind“
  • Compelling Truth (A topical resource for believers growing in their faith and for seekers exploring the truth of Christianity)
  • BibleRef.com (A commentary on books of the Bible and their passages)
  • Logos Web App. (Logos Bible Software on a website.)

How to Study the Bible: 

  • Understanding God’s Word: An Introduction to Interpreting the Bible. This helpful guide presents 6 practical tools and demonstrates how to use them effectively in personal or small-group Bible studies. [Amazon] [Logos]
  • Studying, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. Walter Henrichsen, Gayle Jackson. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1990. [Amazon] [Not available from Logos]
  • Disciple-Making Teachers. Josh Hunt, and Larry Mays. Edited by Bob Buller. Josh Hunt, 2010. [Amazon] [Logos]

Additional options:

  • Diving for Pearls in God’s Treasure Chest: An Easy Way to Study the Bible. Robert A. French. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1999. [Not available from Amazon] [Logos] 
    • For teachers and those who have Bible study experience and want to dig deeper: Keys to the Bible’s Treasure. Robert A. French. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1999. [Not available from Amazon] [Logos] 
  • How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It. Skip Heitzig. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2002. [Amazon] [Logos]
  • How to Apply the Bible: Proven Techniques for Discovering the Truths of Scripture and Putting Them Into Practice Today. Dave Veerman. WORDsearch, 2003. [Not available from Amazon at the time of this post] [Logos]

Bible Study Software:

(Listed in order of usefulness, unless there is a specific need to obtain one out of order.)

  • Logos Bible Software [Free Edition] (Includes many good study tools and resources. Additional tools and other resources are available for purchase or subscription.) 

Additional Study Aids:

  • A notebook/journal for taking notes from sermons, at Bible studies and your own study of the Bible
  • Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary [Amazon] [Logos] 
  • Believer’s Bible Commentary [Amazon] [Logos] 
  • Talk Thru the Bible (An outline and overview of every book in the Bible, plus other study resources.) [Amazon] [Logos]
  • Dictionary of Bible Themes (Topical cross references and outlines) [Kindle Edition] [Logos]
  • New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Jerome Smith) (Cross references to related passages in the Bible) [Amazon] [Logos]
  • Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know [Amazon] [Logos] 

More Online Resources:

BibleProject (Video overviews of Bible books and topics)

Our Daily Bread Ministries

Blue Letter Bible 

Desiring God, Look at the Book Labs

Others:

Online Bible Courses:

BibleProject

  • Free online classes (Free online courses.  Click on the “One-Minute Overview” button for a description)

Blue Letter Bible Institute (Free online basic and intermediate courses)

DTS Global Institute (Free online intermediate and advanced courses)

Footnotes:

  1. Formal translations are good for enabling Bible students to “look through” a language they know to see something of how the original Hebrew and Greek expressed biblical ideas.
    – – Connie Champeon, “What Are Formal Translations Good For?,” Bible Study Magazine (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press; Faithlife, 2021), 47. ↩︎
  2. Functional translations aim for a high degree of clarity, are idiomatic, using “words and forms that are widely accepted by people who use English”, accurately communicating the message of the original languages.
    – – Joshua Jensen, “What Are Functional Translations Good For?,” Bible Study Magazine (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press; Faithlife, 2021), 42. ↩︎
  3. Paraphrased Bibles use familiar words and imagery from our time and place to try to explain the Bible. They do a little translating, a little commentary, and a little trans-culturating
    – – Mark Ward, “What Are Paraphrases Good for?: Take Another Look at Eugene Peterson’s the Message,” Bible Study Magazine (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press; Faithlife, 2021), 51. ↩︎