Bible Study Time – What Do You Need?
If you are looking forward to settling down for a quiet time alone with
Items you Need for Your Bible Study Time
Study Bible – That might seem a little obvious but having the right type of Bible can save you precious time. Read this post about How To Choose a Study Bible
Concordance – Your study Bible probably has a Concordance in it but for a more comprehensive one you will need to purchase an exhaustive one. That can be as a new or second-hand hard copy. Alternatively you can use an online resource or App such as Blue Letter Bible. The best known are Young’s Analytical Concordance and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. Both are based on the KJV (ie the King James Version along with the underlying Hebrew and Greek texts) so if you are looking up words from a modern version some of the references may not correlate.
Dictionary – A good Bible Dictionary will give you lots of Historical, Geographical and Cultural Background information as well as details of Books, writers and the peoples of the Bible. I use an old Dictionary compiled be A R Faussett, if you can’t find a second-hand copy, you can access it online. Otherwise, do some research for recommended ones. Again you will find information on online sites such as Blue Letter Bible. Bible software and Apps usually include access Dictionaries too.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge – (sometimes abbreviated to TSK) a book of cross-references, like those in your Bible but much more detailed
Torrey’s Topical Index or Nave’s Topical Bible – list Bible Topics with all the relevant Bible verse references. Purchase new or second-hand. Both are available online so you can download them in PDF form.
Stationery – Now this is huge! If you love papery things you are going to love shopping for these! But you don’t need lots or to buy especially – unless you want to. Just make sure that what you have, you use, and without distracting from the reason you’ve got them – Bible Study!
- A small scribble pad for jotting down thoughts as you read
- Journal or Notebook
- File to keep all your Bible Study Worksheets
- Pens, pencils, eraser and Pencil sharpener
- Coloured pencils, crayons and/or highlighters
- Small Ruler for underlining verses, etc.
- Bible Study worksheets downloaded from the Honey Bible Study Resource LIBRARY
- Sticky Notes if you like to add them to your Bible pages
- Washi tape for sticking notes
Study Plan – If you are serious about getting down to a Bible Study then you will want to decide (if you haven’t already) what to do. The post How To Choose a Bible Study will help
Other Bible Versions – are useful for comparison but not vital. Again this post will help you decide what you need
Time – if you don’t plan a time, the likelihood is it will never happen. Make an appointment with yourself; write it in your Diary or on your planner. And ring-fence it! It’s non-negotiable!
Place – Where will you have your Bible Study Time? Have you a favourite desk or chair? You will need space for your Bible and any other books you
If you are struggling with the last two items you may need to ask God to show you a place and a time. Ask Him to keep you from distractions and interruptions. As well as for help to make every moment of your time together precious
Some Other Considerations for Your Bible Study Time
Imagine it. You sit down with your Bible Study materials but the Chair isn’t comfy so you jump up for a cushion. The lighting isn’t helping, so you drag the desk and chair nearer the window. Finally, you settle down but after five minutes you realise you desperately need a drink of water and fetch one. As for tissues who would have thought you would sneeze in the middle of the book of Jeremiah! Confession – my biggest distraction is a broken fingernail that manages to appear just when I am getting really involved in my study! Now my Bible Study kit includes an emery board!
Conclusion: For your Bible Study Time
Choose your study materials wisely, and make sure that you have everything to hand. Checkout your place of study for reasonable comfort but not so comfortable that you fall asleep. Check the lighting will be suitable for the time of day you will be reading and writing. Make a note in your Diary, on the Calendar or in your planner when you will be studying
Last but very definitely not least, is Prayer. Ask God to guide you in any purchases you need to make, as well as finding the time and place for study. Ask Him, by His Holy Spirit, to direct you in your studies in the choice of what you do, what you write and in what you learn. And thank Him for all His provisions especially for the freedom to own your own Bible and to study it.
May your Bible Study time be a blessing to you and to the glory of God
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