This is our last week as we study the book of Philippians. We have other books coming up so we shall continue learning bible study skills along with the devotions. Today, in the chapter subdivision where we learn a Bible study skill I would like to focus on tools that can assist you to get to know and study your bible better. Bible study helps include the following:
Bible dictionaries: They are essential to help you define difficult words. They also explain historical and biblical cultural information. They function just the same way a language dictionary works. These are good study tools.
Concordances: These help you to find every use of a word in the Bible, or to find where a particular verse can be found. It is easy to use. The words are arranged alphabetically, like a dictionary, and then arranged serially as they appear in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to find a verse but only recall one word, look up that word as you would in a dictionary. The word will most likely appear many times. Look under the book where you suspect the verse can be found. I have owned a simple concordance for the last nine years and it has proved very useful for finding verse.
Cross-references: Some bibles have references on the margin indicating where else you can find similar verses or repeated thoughts in the rest of the Bible. I have found these particularly useful when I'm studying a theme, a topic or subject or a Biblical character (Concordances are also useful in this regard). You can see what other books of the bible have to say about the same topic. A cross reference bible is one of the most useful study tools that you can have.
Commentaries: These vary with the authors. Some are comprehensive, to include historical notes and definitions. But they are also views and opinions by someone about a bible passage. Usually they are done systematically, from Genesis to revelation. The actual commentary and interpretation of a passage may give you an idea of the meaning, but it is not good to rely on someone else's interpretation. Do not also rely on study bibles, those that have notes on the lower half. All these are usually they are written from a different cultural perspective. The only authoritative reference is scripture itself.
Bible study tools are easily available at in local bookshops. At the least, invest in a good bible with cross references, like the NIV gold edge bible. They are great for helping you connect and understand biblical themes. However nothing supersedes your own disciplined, prayerful reading and dependence on the Holy Spirit to enlighten you on the scripture.
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