LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
4 Best Bible Study Books to Start Your Bible Education
Submitted to Dr. James Sulfridge
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500
Discipleship Ministries
By
Anthony Bean
The Bible is one of the best-selling books in the world and there are many biblical scholars
that dedicate their lives to studying and interpreting the text. The original writings of the Bible
were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. Since its origin, the Bible has been translated into
countless different languages so that all might be able to read and learn the word of God.
Additionally, there are many different English translations available, each seeking to faithfully
reflect the original texts while adapting the language to be more approachable for modern
readers.
Some might find reading the Bible to be intimidating, but there are many tools that can
help guide you. Understanding these tools and finding the right translation for you will help you
to start your Bible education on the right foot. Studying the Bible helps us understand the role
of God in our everyday lives, making it an important aspect of growing your faith. Along with
different Bibles to help guide your study, there are also a large variety of different Bible study
books that focus on different aspects of faith. Depending on what you want to focus or work
on, you will find a study book that meets your needs. With all the options on the market, we
break down everything you need to know to choose the right one for you.
What is the Bible?
The Bible is made up of two main sections, the Old Testament and New Testament. While
most Bibles contain both of these sections, you can also find Bibles that include just one of
these major sections, and some that are even further divided to focus on one particular Biblical
book. These can be useful for Bible Beginners unsure of where to start or for those who want to
delve into one particular portion of the Bible for closer study. To help you narrow down what
part of the Bible you want to study, we break down the two main parts, Old and New
Testaments. After determining which Bible and part you want to study first, you can find a
study book that can help you further interpret and understand scripture.
Old Testament
The first section of the Christian Bible is known as the Old Testament and consists of 39
books (including the books of Genesis, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). The Old Testament
covers the period of time spanning from the creation of the world to just before the birth of
Jesus and documents the ancient history of Israel and provides moral teachings. The Old
Testament of the Bible consists of the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Wisdom Books, and
the Prophetic Books.
The Pentateuch contains the first five books of the Bible which are Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These five books document the history and the
beginnings of the world as well as the creation of the people of Israel. The law as it is expressed
in the Pentateuch shows how people of God are meant to live. Made up of narrative accounts
as well as formalized guidelines for living, this section of the Old Testament presents God’s plan
for humanity and His relentless faithfulness to His people.
The next two sections of the Old Testament are the Historical and Wisdom Books. As the
name suggests the Historical and Wisdom Books share the prophetic history of the time and
also share the wisdom of God's teachings through prophets. The Historical Books recount
events spanning from Israel’s conquest of Canaan to the dissolution of the Kingdom of Israel
and its people’s exile. Here we find the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, Ezra, and Esther. The Wisdom
Books are a collection of books made up of poetry, narratives, and moral sayings and teachings.
These books include reflections on worship, love, suffering, and life.
Finally there are the Prophetic Books, divided into the Major and Minor Prophets. These
books mainly consist of history told by the different prophets, or messengers sent to the people
by God. They not only document the events of ancient Israel but also explain the lasting
significance of the events that occur during this time. The Prophetic books offer accounts of the
messages God commanded the prophets to share with the people. The designation of the
prophets as either “major” or “minor” is not a statement of their importance or worth. Rather,
the so-called “major” prophets, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, are the longer Prophetic books. The
minor Prophets are a collection of shorter books, such as Jonah and Micah.
The New Testament
The New Testament of the Bible consists of 27 distinct books that document and share
teachings of Jesus. The New Testament is believed to flow directly from events that occur in the
Old Testament. The New Testament can also be divided into different sections. The two main
sections are known as the Gospels and the Epistles.
The Gospels include the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books together
document the birth and ministry of Jesus and also show his significance and sacrifice for
humanity. The first book, Matthew, shows how Jesus was conceived miraculously and
demonstrates how important he is as the Son of God. This book also shows God’s power and
teachings through Jesus. The next book, Mark, focuses on different testimonies of Jesus’ ability
to heal and perform miracles. Luke describes how we are able to unite under Jesus and all
become closer to God through Him. The last book in the Gospels, the book of John, emphasizes
the importance of Jesus as the Son of God, and that believers in him will be granted eternal
life.
The other major section of the New Testament consists of 21 Epistles, or letters. These
letters, written by the Apostles to various early Christian communities, were meant to provide
advice for church leaders on how to best commit to Jesus’ teachings.They demonstrated how
through Him we are able to be saved. Finally, the New Testament ends with the book of
Revelation which contains different letters to the churches and also interprets the meaning of
life from the beginning to the end of the world.
What to Look for in a Bible Study Book
As you prepare to start your Bible education, you can make use of all the tools included in
various study books that are meant to help you. There are a wide variety of different options
depending on your focus and learning style. To help you choose the best one for you, we go
through what you want to look for in a quality study book.
1. Find one written by an author you like. An author that you enjoy reading can provide
you with insights and questions that feel relevant and helpful. Authors have a habit of using a
similar tone or style throughout their writings, so if you find someone whose style you like,
reading a new study can be more familiar and approachable. You will be much more likely to be
engaged in the readings.
2. Research the author. As you set out to find an author you connect with, it is helpful to
gain some understanding of her or his personal context. There are many different
denominations and perspectives; you may want someone who comes from a similar
background or tradition as you do. Or, perhaps, you might want to learn from an author
approaching scripture from a different denomination.
3. Choose a study book by topic. The Bible provides teachings and lessons covering a wide
array of topics. Depending on what you want to focus on--for instance, forgiveness, prayer,
etc.--there are guides that emphasize those specific topics within the scripture.
4. Functionality. This is an important aspect when looking for a study book since ultimately
you want the book to assist in your Bible learning. Studying the Bible can be a large
commitment that requires a bit of time. Are you looking for a morning devotional or study you
can spend 10 minutes a day engaging? Or do you want something more in-depth, to devote
several hours to? Think through how the book you select will help you to meet your individual
study goals.
5. Teaches you to study on your own. While a guide that lays out everything for you is
nice, it is important to be able to do your own reflecting and applying to your own life. A study
book that teaches you the foundations and guides you to your own reading and exploration can
help you in the long run.
