Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Beginner Bible study resources

I just emailed the following to a young friend of mine, who is developing quite a hunger for God's Word. What would you add to the list?

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Here is a list of solid resources to get you started. The list is not meant to intimidate you; these are resources you can work at accumulating. Books that I think you should purchase and use without a moment's delay are marked by a double-asterisk. I've marked 2nd priority resources with one asterisk. The rest are books you can work at over the years to come (Lord willing).

Please know that just because I recommend these resources, that doesn't mean that I think everything in them is right. Use discernment with everything you read.

Bibles (use a few translations)
  • English Standard Version
  • KJV
  • New International Version
  • New American Standard Bible
  • New English Translation - available online, with very useful notes
  • New Living Translation
Study Bible
Books on reading / studying Bible
Bible Atlas
Bible Software
Bible Dictionary
Greek (and Hebrew)
Theology
Surveys
One-volume commentary
Commentaries on individual books of the Bible
  • go to Denver Seminary's NT bibliography and choose from the last three commentaries they list for each book of the Bible (the other commentaries they list will be too technical)
  • The NIV Application, Tyndale, Bible Speaks Today, and IVP commentary series are for the most part excellent. Unfortunately, the What the Bible Teaches series rarely provides what a commentary should provide, but there are some exceptions.
  • for the BEST commentary series of all, go here.
Great Books you should read
  • For the Love of God, volume 1 and volume 2, by Carson. An excellent devotional.
  • The Pursuit of God by Tozer
  • Knowing God by Packer
  • Desiring God by Piper
  • What Jesus Demands from the World by Piper
  • Mere Christianity by C.S Lewis
  • any and all books by David Gooding
Great Preachers to listen to

You will learn a ton by always having some good expositional sermons on your ipod.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike,

This is a great list!

A few that have helped me that I would add include:

In an Apologetics section:

- Always Ready - Greg Bahnsen
- Every Thought Captive - Richard Pratt
- Defending Your Faith by R.C. Sproul

In the Theology section:

- Concise Theology - J.I. Packer

In the Surveys section:

- The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible

In the Great Books You Should Read section:

- The Holiness of God - R.C. Sproul
- The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges

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Again, your list is great, Mike. It's a wonderful thing for a younger brother to have a mentor who can show him the way.

Joel

MJK said...

Thanks for your additions Joel. I'm actually just reading The Holiness of God right now, and am really enjoying it.

I'll be adding your other suggestions to my Amazon list!

Mike