Austin Bible Church
A loose-leaf categorical notebook for the orderly taking of notes in services and Bible classes. Divide your notebook into the Bible classes being taught or the lessons you are listening to or use separate notebooks for each class. Note the date of each message and title. Notes must be kept in an orderly fashion. Still another notebook could be entitled a prayer-promise notebook for the purpose of orderly, disciplined praying.
A good study Bible with wide margins for taking notes in the margins. Scofield Reference Bibles are recommended. If not Scofield, then any NASB Bible will do. Other translations can be used--but some are poor, others are good. Use the Bible translation recommended by your pastor-teacher as it is easier to learn if everyone has the same translation. Be sure to mark up your Bible, preferably in an orderly fashion. Bibles are to be worn out. A shiny new Bible, that is still shiny and new 30 years from now is not the idea.
Secure a good Concordance. Strong’s is recommended above Youngs, but both are good. Crudens is ok, but limited.
Sell your shirt to get W. E. Vine’s “Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.” It enables the English speaking Bible student to get much benefit from the Greek. Also any of Wuests books are excellent.
Learn the Hebrew and Greek Alphabet plus any grammar you can pick up. Encourage your pastor to teach a Greek class, if he has had Greek in a Bible college or seminary. See categories on The Greek Language and The Hebrew Language.
Secure a good basic library on Archaeology, and get periodicals which keeps you up with current digs.
Get a good, simple book on Church History like Earle E. Cairn’s book “Christianity Through the Centuries” published by Zondervan. Also shell out the sheckles for an advanced, exhaustive historical set like the Cambridge Ancient History set. You must be familiar with secular history.
You must buy whatever type of player that will play the recorded Bible lessons available from your local church and from R.B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, Houston, Texas - http://www.rbthieme.org. This is an unbeatable source for Biblical accuracy. Thousands of hours of Bible study can be secured.
For the pastor-teacher, teacher, missionary, Christian worker, or Sunday School teacher, an overhead projector will be very effective in your teaching.
The most effective tool for Bible study is the crash program routine. This is when a pastor in a local church has classes every night, enabling his people to get categorical truth quickly and get to spiritual maturity quickly. The principle of the crash program is found throughout the Bible, and the only way to remove scar tissue of the soul is through this type of intensive Bible study.
Recommended publications: All R.B. Thieme Jr. Bible Ministries publications. R.B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, Houston, Texas - http://www.rbthieme.org.
Commentaries: Generally, if you are used to expository, categorical teaching, you will be disappointed in commentaries. They are often devotional, instead of doctrinal. At times they don’t give an explanation for the problem verse you wish to understand. The average believer doesn’t have the discernment to know if the commentator is accurate and when you compare the views of commentators, you often end up confused about which is accurate. God has provided pastors in local churches to teach the Word. If you are commentary-enslaved, check it out with him.
A very effective tool for Bible study is a technique rather than a tool, but it does require some activity. It is accomplished by getting up out of your recliner, walking 10 feet and pushing the off button on the family boob-tube. Alternatively, use the remote. Thus liberated, turn on your favorite, friendly, family mp3 player or DVD player, or use the internet on-line streaming and get with the consistent intake of Bible doctrine.