Have you ever felt stuck, unsure, or confused when reading the Bible? If so, you’re not alone. A LifeWay Research study conducted in 2020 found that 57% of Protestant churchgoers “find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it on their own.”[1] This demographic doesn’t include other denominations, or people who try to read Scripture without attending church! Over half of the surveyed church attendees struggle to read the Bible independently, even though it’s a critical way to grow in faith.
Thankfully, with the right tools and approaches, we can understand Scripture and see how meaningful it is – to our lives, to our personal relationships with God, and to ministering to others. God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), meaning God used it to reach the specific audience at the time and He still uses it today to reach us. Reading Scripture is one way we can hear and know God’s voice.
So how can we develop and maintain better Bible study habits? I talk a little bit about this in my previous post “How to Read the Bible in __ Days” here. Today, let’s focus not just on the “how” but the “what,” identifying specific resources that can build up our understanding and cultivate a greater desire in us to know God’s Word.
Commentaries and Study Bibles
Commentaries are authored by humans, not God-breathed like Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). They provide insight into each verse or passage in the Bible. They give an explanation with more depth and detail that might not be stated directly in Scripture.
Some commentaries online are free to access, such as BibleHub.com and Enduring Word. The Bible Project is another great resource, using videos to explain both topics and books in Scripture.
You can also purchase a study Bible that includes Scripture on the top half of the page and corresponding commentary below. These can be a great reference for context and explanation as you read a particular passage.
I use the ESV Study Bible for a greater understanding and context of what I’m reading. I’m also a fan of the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (in NKJV), since it goes in-depth to look at what other beliefs existed in the world and what other traditions were being practiced at the time of each book. Depending on your preferred translation and focus, you can find plenty of study Bibles on christianbook.com.
Word Study Tools
As a language teacher, I’m always fascinated by word choice and meaning. Depending on which Bible translation you use, words and phrases can mean very different things from the original text. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, with a little of it in Aramaic, and the New Testament was composed in Greek.
Since we’re not all scholars in these languages, we rely on our Bible translations to get the same message across as best they can. It’s not always an equivalent word to English (or your native language), but similar wording.
For example, did you know there are 10 different words used for “steadfast” in the ESV translation? And how each term magnifies an important truth we can hold onto? (Hint: my Bible study looks at this!)
My favorite resources for Bible word study are Logos Bible software and Blue Letter Bible. You can use their word study features to see the original languages and learn each term or phrase according to its intended meaning (not just the English equivalent). When you gain this context, your understanding of Scripture becomes so much more rich!
Study guides
Bible study guides are workbooks designed to help you understand, reflect on, and apply the truth of Scripture to your daily life. These are excellent resources to get a grasp on the culture and context of the message, while also learning the key principles to hold on to today.
Some Bible study guides are designed with small groups in mind, such as those from major publishers that correspond with a nonfiction Christian book. They might include videos to watch or links to external content to enhance your learning. One example, which I’m currently working through, is “I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t” by Lysa TerKeurst.
Others might be geared towards independent quiet time. They include solid teaching, followed by questions to check your understanding and give you practical take-aways. These can be either topical (i.e. experiencing God’s peace) or by a book of the Bible (i.e. the book of Romans). Some options in this category are She Reads Truth and Daily Grace Co. My personal favorite, for its depth and content, is First 5.
The First 5 app
Different Bible study apps exist to help you understand Scripture well. But today, I want to highlight the First 5 app for its support in helping readers understand Scripture.
The app is loaded with reading plans – ones you can work on at your own pace or a current study you can do in real time with the app community. (The app studies go with with the experience guides I mentioned above.) There are detailed teachings, reflection questions, and spaces for community interaction. This app has helped me grow a ton in my understanding of Scripture and walk with Jesus for over seven and a half years!
First 5 is a free app you can access at first5.org or on the app store.
And…some news! Beginning with this current study of Jonah, I’ll be writing for the First 5 app regularly. You can read it on the app beginning July 17, and continue with their studies to read more of my work!
Reflection:
Do you have any go-to resources you love to use for Bible study? What are they? Let me know in the comments!
References:
Consider the Joy 
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