Bible Study Helps
With so many resources being put online, it has never been easier for us to read the Word and read what others have written about it.
Here are four of my favorite online resources and why.
The Bible app
It should go without saying, but the best place to start studying the Bible is with the Bible itself. The Bible App by YouVersion, available for iOS, Android, or the web is the most convenient place to read online.
Make sure and sign up for an account. It’s free, and it syncs your notes and progress - if you use your phone to read the Bible at the park, then log in on your computer, all your stuff is there!
Consider one of their many reading plans. They have kept me on track for many years.
Explore reading in different versions! Some times an old, familiar passage looks a little different when reworded.
Enduring Word Commentary
Have you ever felt like a theologian was going out of his way to make things complicated? This commentary, written by Pastor David Guzik of Calvary Chapel in Santa Barbara, California, is an excellent commentary for starting out. Written by a pastoral perspective, it brings people along into the study in a way most commentaries don’t.
When you’ve read a passage in The Bible App, go over to this commentary to get Pastor Guzik’s thoughts. He brings in a lots of context in an easy to read way.
Bible Gateway
While the first two resources are valued for their simplicity, the Bible Gateway site offers a greater variety of things but has a somewhat clunky interface. What is listed here is by no means all they offer but will serve as a quick way to find these specific things.
They also offer a paid service with more bells and whistles, but there is a lot available for free.
Revelation Commentary
While the Enduring Word is a great overview of scripture, Revelation Commentary contains in-depth thoughts on the last book of the Bible. While it is compiled from four contributors, it largely contains reflections from Robert Van Kampen, who’s excellent book, The Sign, lays out an excellent overview of the end times.
Van Campen’s book can be found here on Amazon, but his commentary is all online for free.
