This is third and final post in a crash course on how to study the Bible. Here are links to part 1 and part 2
Here is a list of resources to help get you started in studying the Bible. Of course, these resources aren’t infallible, and the Scriptures can be understood without them. But we live in an era of unparalleled riches when it comes to Bible study resources. We have access to centuries of thought and meditation on God’s word from our brothers and sisters in Christ, who have been given the same Spirit that we have. In fact, would be wise for us to include a step of “consultation” as we seek to interpret and apply the Scriptures.
Bible Reference Works
Study Bibles and Commentaries
- ESV Study Bible. Highly recommend getting a copy of this.
- Biblical Theology Study Bible
- Reformation Study Bible
- The New Bible Commentary. I cannot recommend this highly enough. One of the best single volume commentaries. A must-own.
- Studylight.org has dozens of (free) trustworthy commentaries spanning several centuries of church history.
Bible Dictionaries
- The New Bible Dictionary
- New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Highly Recommended. Contains fantastic articles on every book of the Bible and dozens of biblical themes, all from the angle of seeing the Bible as one unified story
- Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. A unique reference work exploring the images, symbols, motifs, metaphors and literary patterns found in the Bible.
FREE Online Resources
- TGC Courses
- Ligonier Ministries’ Top Commentaries on Every Book of the Bible
- Look at the Book.
- The Bible Project
Books
Here are some books to help you read the Bible better and make sense of the imagery and details found there.
How to Read the Bible
- A House for My Name, by Peter Leithart. An excellent survey of the Old Testament.
- Reading the Bible Supernaturally, by John Piper (Available as a FREE PDF here). See a summary here.
- Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God, by Vern Poythress (Available as a FREE PDF here).
- How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, by Gordon Fee
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book, by Gordon Fee
- Trinity, Revelation, and Reading, by Scott Swain. This is one of my favorite books on Scripture.
- How the Understand and Apply the OT, by Jason Derouchie
- How to Understand and Apply the NT – Andrew Naselli
Biblical Theology: Reading the Bible as One Story
- From Eden to the New Jerusalem, by T. Desmond Alexander
- According to Plan, by Graham Goldsworthy
- The King in His Beauty, by Thomas Schreiner
- What is Biblical Theology?, by James Hamilton
- God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment, by James Hamilton
- A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the OT, edited by Miles van Pelt
- A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the NT, edited by Michael Kruger
Quotations of and Allusions to Scripture
- Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels, by Richard Hays. This is a gold mine.
- Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture, by Alastair Roberts and Andrew Wilson.
- Commentary on New Testament Use of the Old Testament, by G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson (editors). This commentary looks at all the quotations and many of the allusions to the OT in the NT.
Mitch Bedzyk serves as a pastor Emmanuel Community Church, overseeing music and Sunday Classes. He received his Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and works in IT for the NY Office of Mental Health. He and his wife, Sarah, have five children: Kya, Khalli, Oliver, Amelia, and Micah. In his spare time he enjoys reading, coffee, guitar, being an MLS fanatic and playing fantasy soccer.
