Tools For Developing a Meaningful
Devotional Life
A
Good Study Bible
NIV Study Bible
Life Application Bible
MacArthur Study Bible
Men’s/Woman's Study Bible
Quest Study Bible
A Notebook or Three Ring Binder
This is for taking notes and recording insights that God gives you into the text and how it
applies to you. It is also helpful to keep track of what you pray for so you can see God's activity in your life.
An Appointed Time
You will be surprised how much more consistent you will be if you treat your quiet time like other appointments. It is never wrong to pencil God into your daily schedule! It may be difficult at first, but with time, you will look forward to your time with Him.
Biblical Language Tools
Since the Old Testament was written in Hebrew (and a little Aramaic) and the New
Testament was written in Greek, many words have shades of nuance that are lost in translation. Below are a few tools that will help you unlock some of the kernels of truth locked inside of language.
The Hebrew/Greek Study Bible by Spiros Zodhiates - important words have a number superscripted that leads you to a fuller definition and explanation in the back of the Bible. This is an excellent help for the Bible student.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words by W.E. Vine, Merrill Unger, and William White. Look up
an English word and find it's Hebrew and Greek counterparts, where they are used in Scripture and what
they mean in context.
The Amplified Bible - Nuances of various words are placed in brackets after the Biblical word so that the
reader can see the shades of meaning intended by these key words.
Other Helpful Books
Commentaries - while I am not necessarily a big fan of commentaries, sometimes they
are helpful. Look for one-volume commentaries that provide background information on the text rather than commentaries that give the author's opinion on the meaning and application of the text.
Bible Handbooks and Dictionaries are good for giving background information that
help you understand the world in which the Scripture was written. There are several out there. Refer to the "Trusted Publishers List" below.
Your Most Important Help: The Holy Spirit
One of the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to lead us into all truth. God alone is
able to reveal Himself to us.
Trusted Publishers
| Thomas Nelson Publishers | Moody Press |
Crossway Books |
|
InterVarsity Press |
Baker Book House | Zondervan Publishing House |
|
Fleming H. Revell Publishers |
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company | Lifeway Christian Resources |
| Broadman-Holman Publishers | Tyndale House Publishers | NavPress (The Navigators) |