STUDY TOOLS

All serious Bible students should seek to use study tools to help them in their study of the Word of God. The following study tools are highly recommended as they have all proven to be very helpful in helping students to maximize the benefits of their study. Each tool provides clear and systematic instructions for its use. The following is a list of the recommended study tools and some of the benefits they can provide to you as you study the Word of God:

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible:

The Thompson Chain Reference Bible is an original and complete study including a numerical system of chain references arranged in the marginal text. It also has a very useful self pronouncing text with very helpful analyses of books, outline studies of characters and unique charts to which has been added a new and valuable series of pictorial maps and archeological discoveries. This bible is highly recommended because it provides clear instructions on its usage, is easy to use, it is not opinionated and therefore provokes the student to allow the scriptures to interpret themselves.

Concordance:

A Bible concordance is useful in locating scriptures. The Strong’s concordance, an exhaustive reference tool based on the King James Version of the Bible is what we recommend. It is a simple, complete and accurate concordance that enables the student to locate any scripture passage in the King James Version as well as every Hebrew or Greek word behind the English words. Because Strong’s concordance lists every occurrence of each word in the bible; the student can look for specific occurrences of that word by reading the context lines until the particular reference is found.

The Hebrew-Greek Study Bible:

This Bible has key words in the text numerically coded to the Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries. It is a very helpful study tool as it identifies key words of the original languages and gives a clear, precise explanation of their meaning and usage. This can be very useful in helping students to determine which word was used in the original text.

The Amplified Bible:

The Amplified Bible is a useful study tool because of its very unique features which include a reference system contained in the text. The text of the Amplified Bible also features its Parentheses ( ) which signifies additional phrases of meaning included in the original word, phrase, or clause of the original language. Its Brackets [ ] contain justified clarifying words or comments not actually expressed in the immediate original text as well as definitions of Hebrew and Greek names.

The Vine's Expository Dictionary: This dictionary is an exhaustive presentation of synonymous words and a comprehensive study of the use of any given word in the original language. This Expository provides much needed background for students whose knowledge of the Bible is limited. When studying the Bible it is important to ascertain the exact meaning of the words and phrases of the original text particularly those which have a variety of meanings in English. This is important in order to avoid using scriptures out of context.

A Bible Dictionary, the following Bible Dictionaries are recommended:

• Smith’s Bible Dictionary,
• Unger’s Bible Dictionary or Davies Bible Dictionary).

The purpose of a Bible dictionary is to make available resource information that will assist in understanding the context in which the specific portion of the scriptures were written. A Bible dictionary also provides interesting, and informative, photographs of key areas of the bible to assist in comprehending the setting and also supplying insightful information about biblical characters, places and things. A good bible dictionary is therefore an invaluable tool in helping students to familiarize themselves with the historical and cultural background of the Bible.

Webster’s Dictionary

In reading it is inevitable that a student will come across words he cannot accurately pronounce, spell or understand the meaning of. The Webster’s Dictionary contains all basic words to help the student. The dictionary also gives many derivative words and abbreviations.

A CD or DVD player (Cassette or Video tapes are available in some areas which will require a cassette player or a VHS player.)

The manuals or study guides are designed to be studied along with other audio/ visual materials used in each course. It is therefore beneficial to listen to the entire message of the lesson at least two times and then read the study guide.

In studying the Word of God you must be thorough and diligent in your work. Apply the precepts in each study to your life and ministry. Remember that the power to become a manifested son of God depends on your application and performance of the revelations throughout the study.