Over the next many weeks, I am giving you my tips as to how to go about developing a habit of reading and mediating daily on God’s Word—the Bible. Scroll to the end for a full explanation of each previous tip.
Today’s focus—
Tip #3: Use a Study Bible as your primary Bible to read from each day
I highly recommend that you find a good Bible (I always recommend a printed Bible, not just electronic) to be your “go to” Bible for the year, or longer. Keep it physically in the same location—ideally this is next to a chair where you sit to drink coffee and have your regular quiet time with God. This specific Bible will become like a treasured friend. And using a study Bible brings out some of the richness.
A study Bible, by definition, is a full Bible with extra notes that well-versed scholars of the scripture have put together to lend stronger insight as you read. It is essentially an abbreviated Bible commentary. What makes one study Bible different from another is each study Bible’s special emphasis. Study Bibles fall into categories of genre. They may focus on historical background, systematic theology, Jewish perspective, devotional, other cultural backgrounds and understandings, missions awareness, and many more. It’s important to point out that the comments themselves are NOT the inspired scripture, but they are often helpful thoughts that provide context.
I personally have more than 20 different study Bibles and I actually use them all regularly. But I choose one study Bible for an entire year, and I will use this as my main personal Bible to read each morning, until I work my way through the whole Bible. When I finish reading it through, I just choose another study Bible and begin again.
So, which study Bible do I recommend? There are many wonderful ones. I categorize my study Bibles by genre of unique emphasis. Here are some study Bibles that I have loved.
In the Devotional genre:
- Swindoll Study Bible (this is my current every-morning Bible—and I love it!)
- Tony Evans Study Bible
- The Gospel Project Study Bible
- Global Study Bible
In the Verse-by-Verse genre:
- Quest Study Bible
- Life Application Study Bible
- Spurgeon Study Bible
- Baker Illustrated Study Bible
- MacArthur Study Bible
In the Historical Context genre:
- Holy Land Illustrated Study Bible
- Cultural Background Study Bible
- Archeological Study Bible
In the Theological Understanding genre:
- The Biblical Theology Study Bible
- Mission of God Study Bible
- Apologetics Study Bible
And finally, if you want a study Bible that can be used for your insight for leading a small group or conversation with others, I would recommend:
- Serendipity Bible
You can find all of these study Bible’s for purchase in online locations (especially at Christianbook.com) at a reasonable price. I have found some great ones at used bookstores as well.
The Bible is the most-read book of all times, and for good reason: it is the Word of God. If you want to hear what God is saying, read your Bible. Develop the habit. Never stop!
Next week I will address Tip #4: Bible Translations and Paraphrases.
MY PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
A peek into Billy’s devotional thoughts this week
Each week I am giving you a little insight into my devotional life and reading, only to show you by example what you can and should do with your personal reading of God’s Word.
My current daily reading locations:
- Old Testament—2 Samuel
- Gospel—Mark
- New Testament—James
- A psalm
A devotional from my reading this week:
Troubled times = an opportunity for faith to grow (James 1:1-4)
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I do not ask for trouble in life. I do not ask for anxiety and uncertainty. I actually run from it, and I know we all do! But somehow it seems to come my way no matter what. So what does it mean for me? What can I learn from it? Well, I can complain—hide—shelter myself somehow, but it seems to find me anyway. This part of God’s Word tells me that when those troubled times come to me, God in his sovereignty calls on me to use this trouble as an opportunity to find the deeper joy. Trials that I endure by faith can…
- Help me prove my personal faith with endurance.
- Become new avenues, paths, and roads to a life of greater dependence on God.
- Open doors for God to fill new gaps in my personal life.
That’s why the words, “Count it all joy when you encounter various trials,” are so rich in helping me to grow.
Keep reading your Bible!
TIP #1: READ SYSTEMATICALLY AND SLOWLY
How to Read Your Bible (Part 1)
Don’t worry about reading for speed. Learn to set a reading habit for the rest of your life.
TIP #2: CHOOSE THE LOCATION OF WHERE TO READ
How to Read Your Bible (Part 2)
Read the Bible in four locations:
- Old Testament
- Gospels
- New Testament
- Psalm