One of my favorite things to do is to equip others with the tools and confidence they need to better study God’s Word. When I have that opportunity, people often ask about recommended Bible study resources. The ones I share in this post are the same ones I share when I teach a Bible study workshop and the same ones I use myself.

Before we jump into the specific recommendations, just a word about resources in general. As long as we handle God’s Word correctly and faithfully we don’t typically need them to read, understand, enjoy, and apply Scripture. (Also see “Do you Read the Bible all Wrong?) Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit as our teacher. However, there are certain times when resources are helpful and perhaps even vital. (For more on this, check out “When Should I use Bible Study Resources to Aid My Study.“)

Unless I am researching the background of a Bible book I am about to dive into, I don’t turn to resources for help until after I’ve read and fully observed a Bible passage. Here’s my daily Bible study approach: “How I Read and Study the Bible.”

Physical Bible Study Resources

Online resources are great, but I often prefer to have the physical page in front of me. Plus, The wifi in our rural area is not super dependable and it seems to go out at the most inconvenient times.

I’ve been collecting printed Bible study resources for a while and have a decent little library, but you can do a lot with just a handful of books. The resources I share below will be helpful no matter the Bible book or topic you choose to study. The information they provide will always be relevant. So, they are well worth the small financial investment. (Note: The Amazon links I share of my favorite resources below are affiliate links.)

Study Bible – Can include things like things like background information on each Bible book, concordance, maps, and cross-references. Pick one out in your favorite translation! Bible Dictionary – Includes definitions of people, places, objects, and more found in the Bible. Also includes maps, charts, and background information on Bible books. A good one to try is the  Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary  Bible Handbook – This type of resource can include historical, cultural, and archeological information as well as background information on the Bible books. Here are two to try:  Zondervan Handbook to the Bible  and  The Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook Exhaustive Concordance – This alphabetical index of words lists the main references where each word occurs in the Bible. Very helpful for a word, character, or topical study. Will be specific to a particular English translation like the NIV or ESV Bible Background Commentary – This resource provides cultural and historical information on every passage in the Bible to help us bridge the gap of time and culture. I love the two-volume IVP Bible Background Commentary. Check out the Old Testament volume and the New Testament volume.Online Bible Study Resources

The internet can be both dangerous and wonderful. It’s filled with many things that are not emotionally or spiritually healthy for us. BUT, it also provides us with some great online Bible study resources and tools. And many of them are FREE! Keep in mind that everything you find on the internet will not necessarily be biblical. Check everything you find against the truth of God’s Word.

Gospel Coalition (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/courses/) – Bible book background, theology, church historyBible Project (https://bibleproject.com) – Video-driven, book overviews Precept Austin (https://www.preceptaustin.org/bybook) – Commentaries, word studies, Bible book background  Blue Letter Bible (https://www.blueletterbible.org) – Strong’s, Lexicons, Interlinear Bible, Outlines, charts, maps, Strong’s, Commentaries, Lots of misc.Bible Hub (https://www.biblehub.com) – Treasury of Scripture and commentaries plus access to topical studies, interlinears, sermons, Strong’s and many more resourcesStudy Light (https://www.studylight.org/?ref=forallthingsbible) – Commentaries, encyclopedias, dictionaries, lexicons, original language Bible History (https://bible-history.com) – Photos, archeology, timelines, calendars  Word Study Resources

Students of God’s Word don’t have to know Hebrew and Greek to look up the original language in order to gain deeper understanding and insight. Lots of resources exist to help those of us who can only read our English translations. (For more about the different types of resources available see “Resources to Study the Bible’s Greek and Hebrew Words.”) Several of the online resources above offer original language tools. However, I also love having the following printed Bible study resources on my home library shelf.

Complete Word Study – These resources include the Strong’s numbers over the KJV translation of the Scripture. Definitions are included in the back. It comes in two volumes:The Complete Word Study Old Testament   See on AmazonThe Complete Word Study New Testament   See on AmazonVine’s Complete Expository Dictionary – This has sections on both the Old and New Testaments plus an index. See it on Amazon.Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary– This resource includes the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries and a Scripture index. See it on ChristianBookCom.

If you are a church or women’s ministry leader, I’d love to talk to you about working together to equip the women in your church for better Bible study. I’ve done live and virtual workshops! Email me at [email protected] to get a conversations started.

Let’s share! What did I miss? What are your favorite Bible study resources ?

Updated List of Recommended Bible Study Resources by Kathy Howard.