Whats better for studying?

[trowe87]

Hi all

Just a quick question i'm looking to purchase some bits for aiding me with Bible study, i'm abit stuck however.

I'm looking at The Amplified Bible and the ESV Global Study Bible... I can't however tell how they are different or which would be the better choice?

Can anyone help? Which one would be better for a beginners Bible Study?

Thanks

 

[theophilus40]

Why not get both? The Amplified Bible is more suited for intensive study of the Bible that for general reading so perhaps the best way to study would be to read the ESV and then use the Amplified and the notes in the study Bible when you want to take the time to study a passage in more detail or if you come across something you don't understand.

 

[trowe87]

Thanks, i've ordered both and a pocket bible concordance just in case lol.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi Trowe87, you might also consider adding a 2 volume commentary set for additional help understanding what certain passages have to say. The amount of study notes in these is FAR more extensive than it is in a Study Bible.

The two I would recommend are:

1) The Believer's Bible Commentary by William MacDonald

2) The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Walvoord and Zuck
​

Both are two volume works, OT and NT. And if you can afford to by both sets, I would do so as each set has study notes that the other one doesn't.

Two other resources that would be very helpful for you as a newer Christian (and I continue to find them so after 25 years as a Christian) are these:

1) Concise Theology by Dr. J.I. Packer

2) Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties by Dr. Gleason Archer
​

Concise Theology can help when you run into terms that you need to have defined like: Trinity, Holiness, Predestination, Regeneration, Justification, Paraclete, Unpardonable Sin, Omniscience, etc., etc. And Archer's book about Bible "difficulties" can help you understand what some of the truly difficult passages are saying, why things that seem like contradictions, aren't, etc.

Both of the 2 volume commentary sets and both books are available in book form or on Logos Bible Software, just FYI.

Yours and His,
David

 

[Iosias]

Just a quick question i'm looking to purchase some bits for aiding me with Bible study, i'm abit stuck however.

I would suggest The Oxford Bible Commentary by John Barton and John Muddiman.

There is also a good series called Exploring the Old Testament and Exploring the New Testament.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

I have the ESV Global bible and I highly recommend!

 

[1watchman]

One will get various preferences suggested on this. I will suggest you contact Bible Truth Publishers, Addison, IL -USA and ask them about study material. They are very helpful.

 

[FreedByte]

- redacted -