How to Study the Bible in Way Less Time {but with lots more impact!}

First, dear reader—heartfelt thanks–for all your Facebook comments, tweets, Instagram comments, etc… while I took a three-week break from blogging to be with my sister-in-law when she passed away in hospice and to take some time away from writing. You all are the best.

All along my plan today was to blog about something that has revolutionized the way Bible study is done. And it seems like a perfect fit.

During the last month or so of my sister-in-law’s life, she often just wanted me to read the Bible out loud to her. Her vision wasn’t good at the end and so even her large print Bible wasn’t something she could read on her own.

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My sister-in-law’s Bible cover.

Of course we read scriptures about heaven. About Jesus. About God calling her a good and faithful servant when she finally got to meet him face-to-face.

Her pastor also was such a comfort to her reading Scripture when he visited her often. She attended a Bible study he taught for women every Thursday morning at her church for over a decade. She loved to learn more about the Bible, having become a Christian later in life. She just couldn’t get enough of it!

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Thais’ Bible and a little note I found inside. Great reminder!!!!

Since I became a Christian at the age of 16 as a high school junior, I have loved to read, study, and memorize the Bible. I used to drink in every word my pastor preached each Sunday in high school and even attended the adult Bible study on Wednesday nights as the only teenager in attendance.

{I have a vivid memory of being sung Happy Birthday to You one Wednesday night on my 18th birthday during my senior year. The drinking age at the time was 18 and my pastor was surprised someone my age would choose the stained-glass sanctuary over a glass of booze that night! Ha!}

When I moved away to attend a Christian college, I learned about such things as Bible atlases, commentaries, and other reference tools that could help to unlock the meaning of certain passages. You know, the ones that seem to make no sense until you understand the culture to which they were written. Or the practices and processes of the ancient world.

Some of the reference books and Bibles I use, along with my childhood Bible my mom saved and gave to me a few years ago.
Some of the reference books and Bibles I use, along with my childhood Bible my mom saved and gave to me a few years ago.

My husband was a Philosophy–Religion major and he had to take elementary Greek and Hebrew. The poor guy almost pulled all his hair out trying to pass those classes! And I had to take some basic Bible history classes which I love. I even signed up for more Bible and theology classes as electives.

My go-to Greek-Hebrew book for looking up meanings of words. I gave it to my husband for our engagement in 1985 when he was in college and going into the ministry.
My go-to Greek-Hebrew book for looking up meanings of words. I gave it to my husband for our engagement in 1985 when he was in college and going into the ministry.

Throughout marriage and mothering, I have continued to have a love of Bible study. Attending them. Leading them. Doing them online or by myself. I continued to pull out the old heavy books my husband and I each used in college every time I’d study. I would look up the meaning of the original Hebrew Old Testament or Greek New Testament word that I was wondering about. That was until about four years ago.

I was introduced to the wonderfulness of Logos Bible software. It is almost impossible for me to describe my joy when I found this tool that puts HOURS of research at the tips of your fingers in less than three seconds.

logosTheir latest version of this fabulous program just released. Logos 6 is the smartest way to study the Word of God. With easy-to-use tools and a massive theological library, Logos 6 delivers insight. Pinpoint answers in seconds, study the Word in its cultural context, uncover meaning in the original languages, and answer questions with confidence.

If you are someone who wants to take studying the Bible seriously, I seriously think you should ask for Logos 6 for Christmas!!! There are various price points and packages. And there are even some great freebies on the site.

Hop over and see why many Bible teachers and preachers, including Dr. Tim Keller, love using this tool. And no…. I do not get a kick-back from any orders they get. I’m not benefitting in any way when you buy. I just get joy from helping others who so desperately want to live the Christian life learn better just how to do that with this easy-to-use program!

To check out Logos 6, click here. {and then be sure to tell Santa! Also known as: hubby, parent or friend who wants to know what you want for Christmas. Have them all go in and get you this!}

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5 Comments

  1. So sorry to hear of your sister in law. I can’t wait for your new book to be released. It sounds like exactly something I could use. I would also love to win the book set you are giving away. My list of books I want to read is getting long and over the winter is a great chance to do that.

  2. I’d love to have a copy of that beautifully written prayer reminder. I’d like to put one of those in my Bible, too.

    Or on the dash of my car……or my bathroom mirror……refrigerator……yes, everywhere. I have so much to be thankful for and I don’t tell Him often enough how thankful I am for everything, the good and the bad.

  3. I have been fighting a deep depression due to financial hardships that threaten me having a place to live. I am now spending money from the paycheck from next month….rather than on the charge card that is too, too high. Logos 6 might be great and certainly not available to everyone. Just one more thing to drive the money problems heavily in.

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