Recently we had several participants in the ministry of West Oaks Fellowship complete our 1st Connection Class of 2024. I’m so grateful for their participation and the opportunity we had to just talk a little and get to know one another much better. PTL, I’m looking forward to their service at WOF!
During our Connection Class, we often got side tracked on various topics, which is always fine with me, even though I didn’t get close to covering all I had hoped to cover. However, one rabbit trail awakened me to a potential, and no doubt a genuine, need in our body.
Unquestionably, we are desirous of all the Lord’s children, the people of belief / faith, maturing spiritually, as well as growing in their understanding and become true students of His Word.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.“
2 Timothy 2:15
There were many questions about bible software and various books that one should possess in order to enhance one’s biblical studies.
Therefore, I’m providing a list of what I would call “essential tools” for the on-going pursuit of bible knowledge and theological understanding.
SOFTWARE
Bible Gateway is a valuable, free online tool available through the internet. It easy to use and there is no fees or charges.
OneTouch Light is a free version of Biblesoft intended for new users that offers a limited sampling of the Bibles, commentaries, and topical reference works. Online, more advanced versions are available through monthly subscription fees.
Bible Analyzer is a free, cross-platform Bible study program with more than 100 free high-quality add-on modules and Premium Titles. It allows users to search for a word, words, or phrase via the suggestion box. There are also advanced searching capabilities. Bible Analyzer features a Quick Entry feature as well, and even allows you to add your notes to any book, chapter or verse.
e-Sword is a free Bible software program featuring powerful searchers that are simple to use. It lets you enter as many words you want to search for and select the settings. The integrated editor can be used for creating your own sermons, Bible studies, study notes, or journaling. There is also spell-checking and a thesaurus.
Logos Bible Software is a digital library application developed by Faithlife Corporation and is designed for electronic Bible study. In addition to basic eBook functionality, it includes extensive resource linking, note-taking functionality and linguistic analysis for study of the Bible – both in translation and in its original languages. Costs are from $295 to $10,800 with lots of student discounts available.
Olive Tree is a free app, however, all add-ons have a fee from a few dollars to hundreds. It presents all the relevant information in your library alongside Bible passage. Users can take notes, highlight verses, and bookmark specific passages so they all sync automatically to any device. Olive Tree also touts an integrated store that lets you assemble a reference library that will be available on several devices.
BibleSoft is an easy-to-use PC study Bible that includes thousands of reference works, specialized libraries, and collections of various theological works. Basic cost is $2000 with lots of fee-based add-ons. Student discounts are available.
STUDY AIDS / REFERENCE BOOKS
Everyone who would like to engage in serious study needs at least a couple of Systematic Theology works, a good Bible Dictionary, a Topical Bible reference book, a synoptic / harmony work or two, and a Bible Encyclopedia, along with a handful of good Bible translations (not other types of Bibles).
BIBLES
New American Standard
English Standard Version
Amplified Bible
The Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible
New King James
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
Basic Theology – Charles Ryrie
Systematic Theology – Wayne Gruden
Systematic Theology (In One Volume) – Norman Geisler
Systematic Theology – Lewis Sperry Chafer
Systematic Theology – Charles Hodge
BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIAS & DICTIONARIES
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
McClintock & Strong Bible Encyclopedia
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Unger’s Bible Dictionary
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary
TOPICAL BIBLE REFERENCE BOOKS
Nave’s Topical Bible
The MacArthur Topical Bible
I have no exact recommendation on a synoptic / harmony of the Gospels work, but there are many available.
My deepest and most sincere desire is for everyone at WOF to become a true bible student … “accurately handling the word of truth!”
Generally speaking, I own the reference books that I’ve recommended above and anyone is welcome to come into the library and look at them. However, I am unable to lend reference books out anymore, because when people fail to return them, it breaks up the set and becomes very difficult and sometimes quite expensive to obtain one book out of a set. Nonetheless, we do lend out other books for church members to use.
Consider the words, the prayer of our Lord, Jesus Christ in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
His & yours because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
PF
