Do you ever read scripture & feel like you don’t know what it means?
The Bible is the Word of God. Alive & active. Able to pierce soul and spirit. Do you ever read Scripture & feel like you don’t know what it means? Did you know there are resources that can help?
There are several types of Bibles that have added resources that help you understand the scope of God’s redemptive plan. These are definitely a resource worth having at the location you spend time regularly studying the Word:
A reference Bible fills the margins with cross-references & usually has a basic topical index or additional notes after Revelation. It shows passages of Scripture that speak to a similar topic which you can find usually in the center margin on each page.
A Study Bible pairs Scripture with study notes that are aligned on the same page for quick referencing. Depending on the kind of study Bible these notes can include cross references, maps and charts, historical facts, contextual background, & hidden linguistic details. These can also be available digitally. Approach a study Bible after you have struggled through a passage or to affirm the meaning that you have arrived upon, rather than being lulled into only reading the study notes & overlooking Scripture.
Commentaries
A commentary is its own book, or series of books, on books of the Bible. There are three kinds: devotional (1 person’s reflection, not verse-by-verse), homiletical (like a sermon they interpret & give application), & exegetical (verse-by-verse, more academic and thorough). Each have strengths & weaknesses.
A story book Bible is a great resource for reading to your children of young ages. Scripture is a well of truth that we long for our children to drink from, so a story book Bible is an introduction to God’s redemptive plan on their level.
Remember that resources are man-made, so they have error. Just as you should prayerfully evaluate a sermon, evaluate the contents of the resources you read. No human-made book is perfect in the way that God’s Word is!
*For further conversation/questions, reach out to our Family Discipleship Minister, Joe Zinkgraf at jzinkgraf@orbc.org for more information.