There are a variety of good Bible translations available. Here are the distinctions and our recommendations for each:

A Literal Translation: Stays as close as possible to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, preserving the exact wording and structure (Recommended: New American Standard).

A Dynamic translation: Focuses on conveying the meaning of the original text in a way that's easier to read and understand, even if it moves away from the exact wording (Recommended: New Living Translation or New International Version).

A Paraphrase:  Rewords the original text to express ideas and concepts using modern language and ideas (Recommended: The Message).

The Amplified Version: Combines literal and dynamic approaches, offering expanded translations of keywords for a better understanding of the meaning (Highly recommended, especially if you can’t access other resources).

Bible study packages provide resources for deeper study, and many are available online free of charge. Here are some of our recommendations:

Logos Bible Study Software:  

The free version of Logos Bible Study Software provides a solid foundation for Bible study, including access to a limited library of digital Bibles and resources like commentaries, devotionals, and reading plans. [advanced tools are available in the paid versions]. With Logos users can search Scripture, explore basic word studies, and organize their study notes—all in one platform.

Free Bible Study Packages

Blue Letter Bible
This program offers Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and interlinear Bible study resources. You can search scriptures by keywords, phrases, or topics and access Greek and Hebrew lexicons.

You Version
You Version is a popular Bible app that offers numerous Bible translations, reading plans, devotionals, and study tools. It also includes audio Bibles, community sharing, and personalized notes.

Olive Tree
Olive Tree offers a free Bible study app and resources similar to those listed above. Olive Tree also offers a software package and some resources for purchase.

If hard copies of materials are more your style, try these:

Commentaries: A book or series that provides verse-by-verse or passage-by-passage explanations and interpretations of the Bible. Commentaries offer historical, cultural, and theological insights from scholars. (The New American Commentary, The NIV Application Commentary Series, and The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Bible Dictionaries: A reference book that provides definitions and explanations of biblical terms, names, places, and concepts. It’s useful for understanding the background and meaning of specific words or topics. (The Lexham Bible Dictionary and The New Unger's Bible Dictionary)

Lexicons: A dictionary specifically for the original languages of the Bible—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—offering definitions, word usage, and grammatical information. It’s helpful for word studies. (Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, and The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament).

Concordance: An alphabetical index of words found in the Bible, showing where each word occurs and often providing the original Greek or Hebrew term. It's helpful for locating verses and studying word usage. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible)

While many methods exist to help uncover biblical truths, we like the Inductive Bible Study Method. This method explores the literal meaning of the original author’s words and encourages us to apply those words to our lives. Download a free booklet and video on how to study your Bible here.

Reading how real people used their God-given designs and giftings for His glory and others’ good will encourage and exhort you to do the same. Stay tuned for some of our favorite biographies and autobiographies.

Other books, journals, or podcasts are also vital for equipping you to do what God has designed and gifted you to do. Contact us for our recommendations on a specific biblical or Christian Life topic.