Before You Read…
First, I’d encourage you to take one (or both) of these Bible knowledge assessments.
For a general overview of your Bible literacy:
- Bible IQ Test – https://bibleiqtest.com
If you’d like to focus on specific books or sections of Scripture:
- NeedGod Bible Quiz – https://www.needgod.net/biblequiz
Don’t take these tests to compare yourself with others. Take them to discover where you can grow. Every disciple starts somewhere, and every mature Christian still has more to learn.
One disclaimer before we begin…
Everything in this blog is a little “higher shelf.” Thats why I’ve broken it up into two chunks to get it all out. I’ll post part two next week. I’m primarily writing it for those taking our Understanding and Applying the Bible class at Epiphany. If some of these resources or concepts feel overwhelming, don’t be discouraged.
They’re not meant to be easy.
I simply want to push you.
If you’re brand new to Bible study, you don’t need every tool on this list. Read your Bible faithfully. Pray. Join a healthy local church. Learn to obey what God shows you. These resources are simply there to help you keep growing over time.
A disciple obeys.
But a disciple is also a student.
If God has called you to teach, disciple, lead, or simply mature in Christ, then you’ll need to become a lifelong learner. Loving God with all your heart also means loving Him with all your mind.
Over the years I’ve accumulated literally thousands of books between Logos and Kindle. I started building a digital library in seminary because I knew it would be impractical to own a massive physical library. While I still love a real book, my Kindle has become one of my favorite study tools. It’s easy on the eyes, always with me, and gives me access to an entire library wherever I go.
I also realize many people are just beginning to build their own libraries. If you’re part of Epiphany and there’s a book you’d like to read, chances are I either own it or can get access to it. I’d genuinely be happy to lend you a book or point you toward a good resource.
With that said, here are some of my favorite free resources.
1. BibleProject — Learn the Big Picture
One of the biggest mistakes we make is jumping straight into a verse before understanding the story around it.
The Bible wasn’t written as a collection of inspirational quotes. It is one unfolding story of God’s redemption centered on Jesus Christ. Before I begin studying a book, I almost always want to know who wrote it, who it was written to, why it was written, and how it fits into the grand story of Scripture.
BibleProject does this incredibly well.
Their overview videos explain the historical setting, literary structure, major themes, and how every book ultimately points to Christ. Even after years of preaching, I still find myself returning to them.
The best application always begins with good interpretation, and good interpretation begins with context.
2. Bible Hub — Your Free Bible Handbook
If I could recommend only one website for Bible study, Bible Hub would probably be it.
Think of it as a Bible handbook, atlas, dictionary, concordance, commentary collection, and cross-reference system all rolled into one.
Need a map?
Need to compare translations?
Need to see how another passage sheds light on this one?
Need a commentary?
Need to look at the original Greek or Hebrew?
It’s all there.
One of the greatest habits you can develop is learning to ask questions of the text instead of immediately Googling someone else’s answer. Bible Hub gives you the tools to begin answering many of those questions yourself.
3. Blue Letter Bible — Dig a Little Deeper
Blue Letter Bible has been serving Christians for decades, and for good reason.
It combines trusted commentaries, Greek and Hebrew study tools, dictionaries, cross-references, and audio teaching in a way that’s approachable for beginners while still being useful for pastors.
One thing I especially appreciate is that it encourages you to investigate rather than merely consume.
Bible study isn’t about collecting opinions.
It’s about learning to observe what God has actually said.
4. STEP Bible — Learn to Do Word Studies
Sooner or later you’ll run into a word that makes you wonder,
“What exactly does that mean?”
That’s where STEP Bible shines.
Developed by Tyndale House, STEP Bible allows you to explore Greek and Hebrew words without needing years of language training.
But let me offer one warning.
One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that every possible meaning of a Greek word belongs in every verse where it appears.
Words don’t mean everything they can mean.
Words mean what the author intended them to mean in that sentence, in that paragraph, in that book.
Context is still king.
STEP Bible helps you study words without forgetting that.
5. NET Bible — Learn Why It Was Translated That Way
Have you ever wondered why your Bible says one thing while another translation says something slightly different?
The NET Bible answers those questions.
Its translators included tens of thousands of notes explaining why they translated particular words or phrases the way they did.
Sometimes you’ll discover that a verse has several legitimate translation possibilities.
Other times you’ll see why one English word doesn’t quite capture everything happening in the original language.
Rather than weakening your confidence in Scripture, this should strengthen it.
The Bible has been translated with incredible care, and seeing the work behind the translation helps us appreciate God’s providence in preserving His Word.
Five resources down.
In Part 2 we’ll move from understanding the Bible to letting it shape your life through memorization, meditation, building a theological library, and learning from the historic Church. We’ll also end with a few final encouragements for becoming a lifelong student of God’s Word.
Leave a Reply