Studying the Bible

by Peter F. Whyte, 24 Jan 2010

Since we're looking at how to study the Bible in our monthly Sunday evening studies, I've started to put together some further resources that may be of help as you develop your Bible study habits and skills. Some will be resources David or the video mention, and some will be additional ones that I've found helpful. Don't be overwhelmed by the list, just pick out things that appeal to you. If something isn't personally helpful, then just move on to something that is.

There are some resources already on our Web site. Please don't forget about them. David dealt with reading and studying the Bible back in January 2007, and there are some resources listed on the ‘Just for Starters: the Bible’ page. There are also some links to study tools and Bible reading plans on our Study Tools page.

Print Resources

The ESV Study Bible (Crossway, 2008).

The New Bible Dictionary is a useful resource, but the New Bible Commentary gives more detail on particular passages so it probably more useful if you have to choose (both published by IVP). Available in print or CD format.

Vaughan Roberts, The Big Picture (IVP, 2003).

If you have already read Vaughan Roberts's book, or would like to follow it up in more detail you could read Graeme Goldsworthy, Gospel and Kingdom on which Roberts's book was based. It is now published in The Goldsworthy Trilogy (Paternoster, 2000)

Online Resources

Jay Adams has a challenging dialogue entitled ‘Scripture or Prayer’ (Institute for Nouthetic Studies blog, 22 Oct 2009) that is well worth reading and pondering.

Stephen Altrogge has a stimulating and practical article ‘8 Ways to Get More out of Your Bible’ (The Blazing Center, 12 Mar 2007). Not all his suggestions will suit everyone, but it is good to see how others tackle their Bible reading. His article ‘How To Meditate On God’s Word’ (The Blazing Center, Jan 2008, republished Jan 2010) gives some sound advice on meditating on Scripture that is very helpful.

Justin Taylor, ‘Asking Good Questions of the Bible’ (The Gospel Coalition: Between Two Worlds, 18 Nov 2009)
‘Bible Tip: Make a Chart’ (The Gospel Coalition: Between Two Worlds, 2 Dec 2009)
‘Meditating on God’s Word’(The Gospel Coalition: Between Two Worlds, 1 Jan 2009), with a link to a bookmark to keep in your Bible to remind you of the questions mentioned in the article.