Bible Study Resources
Tools and methods to help you dig deeper into God's Word and grow in your faith
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture
What verse or section stands out to you from the passage? The simple act of re-reading, writing it out, and meditating on it will give you a moment to consider what the Holy Spirit is showing you and allow God's truth to sink in.
Observation
What stands out about the passage? Is there anything you haven't noticed before about the characters, the context, or the details of what is happening? What might the Holy Spirit be revealing to you?
Application
Consider how you can apply this truth to your life. Is there something the Holy Spirit is putting on your heart to change? Is there anything you are led to do after this reading? (See S.P.E.C.K. below)
Prayer
Pray about what you've read and how the Holy Spirit is leading you. Thank God for His truth and faithfulness. Ask Him for understanding and wisdom. Submit to the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in you.
S.P.E.C.K.
The acronym S.P.E.C.K. helps us take God's word and apply it to our lives. Within the text I read today is there:
Recommended Bibles
Word for Word
A word-for-word translation attempts to translate each Hebrew or Greek word into a corresponding English word.
Thought for Thought
The thought-for-thought translations seek to express the meaning of each sentence or paragraph from the original language in simple, up-to-date English without being tied to translating every word.
Paraphrase
A paraphrased translation has the primary goal of conveying the Bible in a simple, easy-to-understand language without regard to word-for-word or even thought-for-thought expressions of the original languages. The authors often exercise "poetic license".
Bible Study Tools
Bible Dictionary
A Bible dictionary is a reference tool that contains definitions of key words found in Scripture.
Lexicon
A Lexicon is similar to a bible dictionary but instead it focuses solely on words used and their meaning in the original language.
Concordance
A concordance is great for studying themes within the Bible as they will give you all of the verses that reference a specific word or idea.
Commentary
A bible commentary gives you a scholar or pastor's thoughts or "commentary" on passages of scripture.
Study Bible
A good study Bible gives you a combination of Commentary, Bible Dictionary, Lexicon, and Concordance all in one, admittedly with less depth but more accessibility.