5 Free Bible Study Resources
Pastors and preachers all over the world encourage us to "get in the Word" and "read our Bibles," which is easy for them to say! I mean, my King James Bible is just so hard to read. I don't understand all the words in it! So, it is just easier not to read it... right?
Wrong.
You just don't have the proper materials to fully understand it (yet)! Just think about these pastors, they have libraries upon libraries of books and commentaries and journals on God's Word, and yet, some of us struggle to even listen when we sit in the church. We should have an earnest desire to study God's Word and learn as much as we can about it! We should strive to be the best theologian we can, even from our home.
Many people believe that it takes a lot of money to be a proper theologian. However, that is not the case! There are many resources available to you at this very moment! If you are reading this article, you have access to 5 Free Bible Study Resources!I. YouVersion Bible App
The YouVersion Bible App is a free mobile and web-based software in which you can access hundreds of versions of Scripture in many languages! With these versions, you can easily create a parallel between versions of Scripture to understand how different scholarship might present the Word. In these Bibles you can highlight, note, and mark them up till your heart's content. They also boast hundreds of guided Bible reading plans to solidify your habit of reading God's Word. This app makes it super easier for anyone to have a Bible readily available at all times, regardless if they carry the paper around with them!
II. Blue Letter Bible
Blue Letter Bible is a great mobile and web-based Bible Study software that builds off what you can get from YouVersion. It is great for general Bible study as it is jam-packed with features. Blue Letter Bible has a built-in online version of Strong's Concordance. You can go to any passage of Scripture and click on a word or phrase and BLB will give you the Strong's number and entry for the word! In reference to this, they also boast an Interlinear Bible with the original language of the manuscripts. They also have general Greek and Hebrew lexicons to go along with the other areas of general language study. Blue Letter Bible is a great entry-level tool to study the true meaning of the text!
III. Enduring Word Bible Commentary
The Enduring Word Bible Commentary is an online commentary authored by David Guzik. This is one of the best modern and free commentaries available to the general public. Guzik goes through a verse-by-verse expository commentary of the 66-book canon of Scripture. Enduring Word was written for the New King James Version of the Bible, though, the website allows you to change the integrated Scripture to multiple versions (KJV, LSB, ESV, NIV, NASB95/20, CSB, etc.). Enduring Word was written as a very conversational and easy-to-understand so that way a newer believer can understand a deeper look into the text without long seminary classes.
IV. STEP Bible
The STEP Bible (Scripture Tools for Every Person), is a website and mobile app for Hebrew/Greek study. It is a little different from Blue Letter Bible, as it has more in-depth Word Studies available for free. You can open the main page of the website, and see Scripture written out right there. They default to the English Standard Version, though you can easily switch to many other versions of the English Scripture. You can both hover-over or click on any word or phrase and they will give you an in-depth Word Study in the original Hebrew or Greek. This makes an easy way for any believer to be able to see other ways this word has been translated in Scripture, the frequency of the word, the definition(s), and more!
V. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is both a printed resource, though you must pay for the print, but it is also a free online and mobile resource! They have over 500,000 cross-references with other parts of Scripture. You can click on any verse and the TSK will provide everywhere in the Bible that verses has a cross with another. You can also see themes throughout Scripture, and see which passages support different themes and topics. The TSK is also a great resource for a chronological Bible study, as you can see many dates and historical relations to passages within Scripture.
(Bonus) VI. The Holy Bible
The Bible is the absolute BEST tool to study the Bible. You can try Scripture against Scripture and figure out exactly what the passage is saying from its own context. 2 Timothy 3:16 says: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction , for instruction in righteousness."
This is the absolute final authority in every Christian's life. We should study the Scriptures for ourselves and grow in our knowledge of the Word of God. We should ask the Holy Spirit to give us a desire for the Word of God so that we might wish to become more like-Christ.
All of these resources are available for completely free and immediately for your personal growth with God. Which resource will you use first?