Bible Study Aids
	At the start of a calendar year we sometimes make resolutions. A common one pledges that we will read the Bible all the way through. Reading is good. I hope that in addition to reading, you will STUDY the Bible. A number of good tools are available to help you in your Bible study – such as . . .
	Your own Bible! (Obviously!) I recommend that you obtain a Bible with a font size that makes it easy for you to read. Center column or side column cross-references are very helpful; but be advised that just because a cross-reference takes you to a passage, that doesn’t mean the two passages are talking about the same thing. You have to study and think! You might consider a Study Bible, though you must be careful not to blindly accept everything the publisher says. Many Study Bibles have comments that are false in their teaching. Once again, study and think!
	Multiple translations. Obviously not every translation is reliable. But often something can be gained even by reading a translation that may not be the best or even one we would be comfortable recommending. I don’t recommend the NIV as someone’s primary version, but on occasion it does a respectable job of clearing up the meaning of a passage. I am recommending the comparative reading of multiple translations.
	Concordance. (Listing of words & passages where those words are used. E.g. “faith” or “repent” or “baptism.” My preference is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, but some people like Young’s Analytical Concordance or some other. If you are computer or internet savvy, many concordances are available online or as computer programs. Here again, don’t get the idea that just because two passages use the word “baptize” that they are necessarily dealing with the same thing. Study and think!
	Bible Dictionary. Many Bible dictionaries are in print, some are better than others. As with any uninspired book, you must take care not to be misled by false doctrine. The same can be said for Bible Encyclopedias (basically a more detailed work than a dictionary). These books contain much valuable background information which helps you to understand the Biblical text.
	Bible Atlas. Being able to locate countries, cities, oceans & seas, etc., gives you a better grasp of what is happening in the Bible accounts that you read. It makes you more aware that the Bible deals with real people who lived in real places.
	Commentaries. I purposely saved this one until last. Far too many people run to the commentary first. Commentaries can be valuable resources, but you should first read the text from multiple translations, then study it carefully by running cross references and using your concordance. Then make use of your Bible Dictionary and/or Bible Encyclopedia along with your Bible Atlas. The last resource you want to consult is the commentary. You should already have a fair idea of what the text is teaching before you reach for the commentary. You are much less likely to be misled that way. The commentary may provide some details and other points that you didn’t see before.
	I hope this will encourage you to be diligent and careful in your reading and studying of the Bible in this new year!
	--Joe Slater (Justin, TX)