"...if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). (Council of Orange: Canon 6)

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Six Study Essentials

by Mark Driscoll

1. Have a good Bible.

Every Christian needs a good Bible that they can easily read and enjoy. A translation such as the English Standard Version (ESV), the ESV Study Bible is very well done, or the New International Version (NIV) is preferable as your primary reading Bible, although there are many other translations that are also quite good (e.g., New King James Version, New American Standard Version).

2. Have some good Christian books.

If you want to build a reference library, the first book you should buy is A Commentary and Reference Survey by John Glynn by John Glynn. That book will tell you which other books are the best resources available for in-depth Christian study and anyone who is serious about studying should have a copy of this book.

3. Have some good (free) online study resources.

There are many great websites that can help you do Bible word studies and such for free. Good examples include the following, with the first one built and run by Mars Hill elder, Zack Hubert:

ReGreek specializes in word studies from the Bible 's original languages.

Crosswalk has many translations and Bible study tools.

Bible Gateway has many translations and Bible study tools.

CCEL has most of the major works from Christian history for free and a “Study Bible” feature that pulls up historical church commentary on specified verses.

E Sword has numerous Bible study tools.

4. Have some good Bible software.

If you can afford it, Bible study software provides some amazing resources and companies like Logos Bible Software are worth considering.

5. Have some good websites.

There are many great resources available for free on the web with articles, books, blogs, podcasts, vodcasts, and MP3s. The following are some recommendations:

Desiring God is the website featuring a large repository of sermons and articles from my friend, Dr. John Piper.

Covenant Seminary has a “Free Downloads” link on their front page that will enable you to listen to hundreds of hours of their class lectures on many areas of Christian study. I am grateful to my friends at Covenant who have given the church such a gracious gift.

Mars Hill Church is where hundreds of hours of my teaching is available for free and has been the number one podcast on iTunes for religion and spirituality.

carm has good articles on cults, world religions, and apologetical issues.

equip.org has good articles, book reviews, and more, on cults, world religions, and apologetical issues.

www.christianitytoday.com/historyhas some great articles on Christian history and biography.

www.monergism.com has an almost overwhelming number of free articles on nearly every theological issue from a Reformed perspective.

6. Have some good community.

Most of the Bible was written to communities of people and is therefore best studied in community with other Christians. For this reason, getting plugged into a Community Group and/or taking midweek classes in addition to regularly attending a Sunday church service is essential.

Here is the link to the original article

Posted by John on November 14, 2008 02:18 PM

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Comments

I thank God for your web site, I've gained great insight from your blogs. I've been able to use many of the resources you mentioned.

Actually, after you advertised the ESVSB, I went to research the Bible myself, only to find out how much I loved it. So, I bought one!

Thanks and may God continue to bless your ministry!

Posted by: Jonathan | November 14, 2008 05:57 PM

I had, for some time, been hearing and reading many great things about the ESV bible. I finally saved up enough money to buy one. (crossway brand)

I was very disappointed by the fact that, unlike my old stand-by NASB, it does not put in italics words which were not in the original manuscripts.

The NASB was excellent for doing this, such as when Jesus is asked if he is the son of God and replies "I AM". Many other bibles had put it as "I Am He", The 'He' part being added for supposed clarity. (How ridiculous, missing the whole idea that He is using the name of God).

But at least the NASB would put the 'he' part in italics so that we knew it was added.

The ESV does not do this and it ruins my reading experience, having become accustomed to this. I am unable to tell what is being added and what is not.

I was also disappointed that it dosnt say in the beginning of the book of Revelation that it was "Signified" to John, which is the great giveaway that it is all in signs and symbols, and isnt literal. This is a great reinforcement for people of the amillennial, covenant theology persuasion such as I.

Even my beloved NASB got that one wrong. Only the King James translates that properly. It is one of the few times where the King James is the best translation.
I had hoped that such a highly promoted new translation as the ESV would finally get that right, but they blew it too.

I guess I'll stick with my tattered old NASB for the time being until I can afford a new one.

Posted by: James Paul | November 14, 2008 08:58 PM

Thanks for your list... Just when I thought I had an exhaustive list, I find more. Have you looked at blueletterbible.org as a substitute and/or replacement for the desktop Logos softare? I have a whole list of my own sources at: http://www.truevictories.com/2008/11/laymans-library.html

Posted by: Nick Carter | November 17, 2008 06:18 PM