2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. This section is a list of resources for aiding in the study of scripture. These are helpful for both individual study and for those who lead a Bible study. If you have any suggestions for additions here please share them. Consider signing up to lead the study of a chapter in the Garage Men's Ministry. This is something everyone can do. And I highly recommend it as it is very rewarding. From the study to prepare improving one's own private study, to seeing our brothers make connections to their own lives and personal study time, it is a blessing. When using these resources, or the footnotes of a study bible, keep in mind that these are not scripture. They are aids for understanding scripture. But they are written by people who may be wrong on some points. Here are some guides for judging how trustworthy such things are. Use the reread test. After reading what a person has written about a scripture, go back and reread the scripture to see if it aligns with what that scripture is saying. Use the context test. Reread including more of the scripture before and after to see if the commentary is in alignment with that book of the Bible as a whole. Do they show their work? Authors who show where their source material is coming from are more trustworthy. This way we can go to those sources and see if the author is accurately portraying the information. It's a good idea to do that sometimes, especially if the author is claiming something that is unusual. Do they separate what is fact and what is speculation? A super-trustworthy author is one that is clear on what is historically verified information and what is reasoning that may be wrong. The best will show why something is likely. Study bibles and other quick references are useful reminders of background information and for pointing out things in scripture that are easily missed. But they shouldn't be a primary source of information. They are useful, but they shouldn't be defended like they are scripture. The Word Biblical Commentary and the New International Commentary are two excellent sources of information on scripture. Both are careful to indicate how reliable the information presented is, present other views, and list their sources. There are many other great resources out there as well. The most common error is some authors present speculation or ideas as if they are concrete evidence, when it is purely their thoughts with no evidence to back them up. The second is to read modern culture into scripture. Another is to improperly use something from the time of scripture that doesn't apply to that text. For example, evaluating what the Corinthians were thinking, who were super-majority Gentiles, based on the Jewish Pharisees, who were a narrow sect of Judaism that doesn't even apply to a majority of Jews, let alone any Gentiles.

Bible Gateway

This free website has the Bible in more than 200 versions and more than 70 languages, including some that have audio versions. Many have extensive footnotes and crossreferences that are useful for Bible Study. Bible Gateway became a division of Zondervan, and is now a member of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Because of this they have access to a lot of commercially produced translations. This website is free.

YouVersion

This is a free mobile app that has a large choice of translation of the Bible, some of which have audio versions.

Blue Letter Bible

This is a free website with multiple translations, with links to a number of commentaries, dictionaries, cross-references, and other tools. This is a great way to get background information, historical and cultural context, and information about the author and intended audience of scripture.

Accordance Bible Software

If you want professional Bible study software like pastors and scholars use, Accordance is an excellent choice with a great interface and powerful features. They have an incredible library of modules you can add on to expand your library, often for less than the hard copy editions. They have frequent sales and specials, as well as have student and pastor discounts. There is a free version you can try to see if you like the interface. And the program itself with a basic library is very inexpensive.

Logos Bible Software

If you want professional Bible study software like pastors and scholars use, Logos is another excellent choice with powerful features. They have a large library of modules you can add on to expand your library, often for less than the hard copy editions. And there is a free version you can try to see if you like the interface.

The CrossWire Bible Society

This is a great source for free Bible software, translations, references and study aids. There are versions for Mac, Windows, Linux, Mobile and web browsers.

World English Bible

This is free modern translation of the Bible. It is the only actual translation in current English that is in the Public Domain. You can freely use any or all of this version in print or online.

BibleThinker

This is free resource with videos and a great search engine for locating specific content within videos. There is also an audio podcast and an app for smartphones and tablets. BibleThinker is a ministry dedicated to equipping people to think and live biblically. The focus is on teaching accurate theology, defending the biblical and Christian worldview, and applying the Bible to our lives. Mike Winger covers topical subjects, teaches verse by verse Bible studies, and does weekly live Q & A sessions.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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