Helping ordinary people learn to study the Bible
The Psalms are some of the most engaging and beautiful poems in the history of literature. In his piece, “How to Enjoy the Psalms Even More,” Jacques Nel gives five suggestions to help you delight in these songs of Zion.
These are some great idea worth considering. Check it out!
Douglas Sean O’Donnell asks why Mark’s gospel ends without mention of Jesus’ resurrection. The “longer ending” of Mark appears to be a later addition, not original to Mark’s text. O’Donnell has a few theories:
O’Donnell’s brief reflections are well worth your time.
The entire reason for this blog’s existence is to help ordinary people learn to study the Bible. That requires helping you learn to lead others in robust Bible study. Sometimes we give tools and tips for leading small groups. At other times we talk about parenting children or preparing for a discussion group. All along the way, we encourage you to try these things at home and keep practicing.
Continuing in the spirit of the top 10 lists presented over the last few weeks, here are 2024’s top 10 most-viewed posts in the “Leading” or “Children” categories. If you browse the full lists, you’ll see that we’ve currently got 135 installments. So if you have time to read only 10 of them, you may want to consider these 10.
It’s hip and cool for bloggers to post their top 10 posts of the year. And we want to be hip and cool. Our hearts tell us to do it, and the Bible says to “walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (Eccl 11:9). So here goes.
Last week, we gave you the top 10 posts from those published in 2024. Now, we list the top 10 posts from the full KW archive. If lots of other people are reading these posts, you probably should be, too.
This 2019 post was #6 on this list last year. In this post, Peter considers the information from the gospels to reconsider the tradition that Jesus’ ministry lasted 3 years. Quite a few commenters are concerned that anything other than a 3-year ministry throws off their calculations from Gabriel’s message in Daniel 9. However, we’re not swayed by views that require certain assumptions about an end-times sequence of events in order to work.
This 2015 post makes its debut on the annual top 10 list this year. The “way” discussed in this post is not about finding time in your schedule, or deciding on a version of the Bible. The “way” is a reading plan, subdividing the New Testament into four tracks modeled after the four gospels. Read Matthew along with the Jewish epistles (James and Hebrews). Read Mark along with Peter’s epistles (since Peter was Mark’s chief source). Read Luke and Acts along with Paul’s epistles (since Luke was a companion of Paul’s). And read John along with John’s epistles and Revelation. This reading plan highlights what is distinct about each gospel, demonstrating the fulness of the kingdom Jesus brought to earth.
Ryan asks these 3 questions during every Bible study. Do you? Would you like to? Maybe 2025 is your year to start a Bible study. Then you can ask these 3 questions, too. Lots of people are asking them, or at least discovering the value of asking them. That’s why this was our most-viewed post of the year, from those published this year. And only 7 posts in the entire archive outperformed it; no small feat, as Ryan wrote it only in August. (The second most-viewed piece published in 2024 was 18th most-viewed overall.)
This post serves as a table of contents to Peter’s series on how to study the Bible. It pretty much explains why this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of pageviews, even though it hasn’t shown up on this list since 2020.
This 2018 post also makes its debut on the top 10 list due to a surge in views this year. In 2018, it was the third most-viewed post written that year, but has since faded into mild obscurity…until now. Sometimes people fear studying or teaching through the book of Exodus because they fear they won’t know what to do with all the tabernacle details. And then what do you do when nearly every detail is repeated? What a marvelous opportunity to strengthen our observation skills!
Just as the title says, this post summarizes the OIA method we aim to teach. It’s basically the reason this blog exists, so we’re glad it gets a lot of page views. This is up from #7 last year.
This post was #10 for the last few years. Though it comes from a series that analyzes not only books but also chapters and verses, this list of most-quoted books always seems to be one of the most popular.
This post was #9 for the last few years. It comes from the same six-part series—mentioned in the previous entry—analyzing every NT citation of an OT text. It’s interesting that, in that series about the NT quoting the OT, the most popular post is about the OT books that never get a direct quotation.
This 2018 post was #9 on this list in 2020, but rose to #3 in 2021 and remained in that position until hitting #2 this year. This post examines the series of contrasts in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to determine, from the context, what Jesus was arguing against. Hint: It wasn’t the Old Testament Law.
The popularity of this 2015 post (republished in 2021) continues to surprise us. We really cannot explain why it has been so popular, but if you haven’t read it, you must really be missing out! Elihu is that mysterious fourth friend in the book of Job. If you even knew he existed, chances are you’ve skipped his speeches entirely. This post is Peter’s attempt to explain Elihu’s role in the drama of the play of Job. This post was #3 in 2017, but since then has alternated between the #1 and #2 slots.
Previous years’ lists: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Many bloggers take advantage of this time of the year to reflect on their most popular posts. Now we know there is a time to follow the crowd (Zech 8:23), and a time not to follow the crowd (Ex 23:2). And I believe the present time to be akin to the former and not the latter. So here we go.
This post lists the top 10 viewed posts this year, from among the posts we wrote this year. Next week, we’ll list the top 10 viewed posts from the full KW archive. May these lists enable you to be warm and well fed while you celebrate the season with joy and delight.
This year, I’ve been revising and editing an old blog series on Proverbs 1-9. This is one of the introductory posts, explaining the three primary categories of people in the book: the wise, the foolish, and the simple. Which one are you today? Which will you be tomorrow?
This post reflects on perhaps the most important practice for a Bible teacher or small group leader to embrace: Do not try to help others to apply a Bible passage without first applying it to yourself. If you feel the need to schedule “devotional time” in the Scripture, in isolation from your “teaching preparation time,” you have perhaps fallen afoul of the temptation toward hypocrisy: Asking others to do something (apply a particular passage of Scripture) you have not been willing to do yourself. Let’s not do that.
The first of many terrific posts from Ryan to show up on this list. The author of Hebrews doesn’t want you to be like a leaf on a lake, steadily drifting from shore. This will surely happen, if you don’t take pains to work against it by holding fast to Christ and listening carefully to him.
An interpretive overview of the entire book of Proverbs. Would you like to dive into one of the most important books for practical guidance? Do you have your bearings? Do you know how the argument flows from beginning to end? Are you still thinking of wisdom as something a person has, rather than something a person pursues? This post may be just the push you need to get going in the right direction.
Another piece of Proverbs overview. While #10 on this list considered the people within the book, this one considers the people who were first supposed to read the book. And by knowing who they were, we’re better equipped to read the book well ourselves. We just may find ourselves in similar shoes, needing the wisdom found within this masterpiece of human literature.
Ryan enjoys motivating people to give attention to the obscure parts of the Bible. In this post, he explains how a holy God can dwell with sinful people. You won’t want to miss that, so don’t skip it! For insight into other books you wouldn’t want to skip, see: Ezra, Nehemiah, Lamentations, Numbers, and the Prophets.
This year’s buying guide was quite popular, thanks in part to a referral link from the Gospel Coalition. It’s nice when others also want people to get great resources for Bible study. If you’re in the market for Bibles, study helps, or children’s resources, this post is your one-stop shop for all manner of things that will help you to learn effective OIA Bible study.
Ryan’s penultimate entry on this list addresses the modern tendency to want our Bible study packaged up into clear and simple action steps. But the process generally has greater value than any particular products we take home from it. It’s okay if you don’t get a simple takeaway every time. Just keep going, for God is at work.
In August, I reposted this older post so I could go on vacation with my family. And it got quite a bit of traction, renewing interest in the topic. It got some attention, including a written critique on The Gospel Coalition Canada site, to which I replied that ‘Proverbs Aren’t Promises’ is Still Misleading. The conventional wisdom that “proverbs aren’t promises” really needs to face the barrel end of a copernican revolution. Not because of what it says about proverbs, but because of what it says about promises.
Ryan asks these 3 questions during every Bible study. Do you? Would you like to? Maybe 2025 is your year to start a Bible study. Then you can ask these 3 questions, too. Lots of people are asking them, or at least discovering the value of asking them. That’s why this was our most-viewed post of the year, from those published this year. Only 7 posts in the archive outperformed it, which we’ll tell you about next week.
Previous years’ top tens: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
M.R. Conrad wants you to know the Bible is “one grand narrative,” and he gives 8 pieces of evidence. Included on the list are the one author, the one main character, the anticipation of Christ at every point, and the overall tension leading to a final conclusion.
I won’t list all 8 of Conrad’s proofs. You’ll have to click over to see the full description.
Matthew Boffey has some important things worth considering as you seek to reinforce consistent Bible study habits.
I especially appreciate that last point, as even the best-laid plans need constant revision. As boxer Mike Tyson famously said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” I’m grateful for Boffey’s reflections.
I really appreciate Brian Key’s reflection on “What to Do Before You Read the Bible.” He decribes his request to God to comfort me, confront me, and conform me. We would all do well to consider such prayers.
I appreciate Daniel Timmer’s summary of the message of Zephaniah in his piece “Why We Need Zephaniah.” He boils it down to three aspects:
This brief Old Testament book packs quite a punch, exhibiting to goods new God’s grace in vibrant color.
If you’re in the market for gifts to encourage Bible study, here are our top recommendations. We’ve reviewed most of these products on this site at many times and in many ways, but here they are in one place for you.
You can’t beat a good Bible. Our top recommendation is to get yourself or someone you love one of the best editions of the Bible to hit the western world: the ESV Reader’s Bible, 6 Volume Set.
Our first review. Second review.
Get it at Amazon | Westminster
And while we use the ESV translation more than any other, we must mention that the 4-volume NIV Sola Scriptura Bible Project has perhaps the most innovative layout and presentation of the Scriptures, which make it a sheer delight to read.
If 6 volumes seem too much to you, the single volume ESV Reader’s Bible is still well worth picking up.
Cloth over board: Get it at Amazon | Westminster
Reader’s Bibles are arriving with increasing frequency in other translations as well. See our reviews of the CSB, NIV one-volume, NIV 4-volume, and ESV Gospels. They’re even starting to come out with editions for kids.
And for something completely different, consider getting an entire book of the New Testament on a single page spread, with the ESV Panorama New Testament.
The ESV Chronological Bible is worth your attention. It’s not what you want for deep study, but it’s wonderful for extended reading or reference. Here is our review. Get it at Amazon | Westminster
There are so many options. See our buying guide for recommendations about which ones succeed at promoting OIA Bible study.
For something you can write in with greater ease, see our recommendations. Also consider large print and journaling Bibles. Or Scripture journals. If you prefer more space between lines of text, see the Inductive Version of the Journaling New Testament.
If you or a loved one like the idea of copying out the Scriptures by hand, you might want to consider a Journible.
The Dwell app for mobile devices is a remarkable tool designed completely for listening to the Bible. NIV Live is a terrific dramatized audio Bible.
For a snapshot of the OIA process, see this blog post.
For a little more explanation of the principles, see our free booklet.
To go even further, with lots of illustrations, examples to follow, and exercises to practice, see One-to-One Bible Reading or Peter’s book Knowable Word (now revised and expanded).
If you’re familiar with the OIA model, and you’d like to hone your skills to perfection, consider getting Methodical Bible Study by Robert Traina. This book is dry and doesn’t tell many stories. But it delves the depths of the model like nothing else.
If you’d like to grow as a Bible study leader see Peter’s book Sowable Word or Colin Marshall’s terrific book Growth Groups.
See our page with recommended commentaries that promote OIA Bible study skills. We don’t have recommendations for every Bible book yet, but we update this page as we come across helpful volumes.
Great places for beginners to start in gaining familiarity with the Bible’s layout and message are The Beginner’s Guide to the Bible (see Peter’s review), The Visual Theology Guide to the Bible (see Ryan’s review), and The Visual Word (see Ryan’s review).
Peter still happily recommends Logos Bible Software, as it has drastically improved the speed and quality of his Bible study. See his reviews of Logos 7, Logos 8, and Logos 9 for details. Logos is now more affordable than ever through subscriptions (see Peter’s review of this latest development). Here is a link for a 30-day trial.
While Logos is remarkable with its reference libraries and powerful features, it’s not for everyone. If you are more interested in slimmer, free software, you may want to check out E-Sword or STEP Bible.
The best thing you and your church can do for your children is to buy them a Bible and teach them to use it. In my household, that means we buy ESV pew Bibles (the cheapest we can find) almost by the case. These things will get beat up and need to be replaced often, so there’s no use in getting the authentic-porpoise-leather-imported-from-Mars-heirloom-editions just yet.
When children are first learning to read, it may be helpful to give them the NIrV. This builds their confidence in reading the very words of God in their own language. Remember, the story Bibles are good, but God’s undiluted word is even better.
And before dipping into the supplemental resources below, perhaps you’d consider printing out a few simple devotional pages for your kids, so they can explore the Scriptures for themselves before hearing what others have to say about the Scriptures.
The Big Picture Story Bible – A marvelous overview of the Bible’s rich storyline: The people of God under the rule of God in the place God gives. Get it at Amazon | Westminster
Read Aloud Bible Stories – Brief Bible stories that draw in young children, letting the children know these are their stories. Get it at Amazon.
The Gospel Story Bible – Retellings of 156 Bible stories, synchronized with the Gospel Story for Kids curriculum, and devotionals Long Story Short and Old Story New. The best part of these stories are that much use is made in the retelling of the actual text of Scripture. Get it at Amazon | Westminster
God’s BIG Promises Bible Storybook – Traces 5 major promises through the Bible from beginning to end. Great to read aloud to preschoolers, or to have young elementary students read themselves. See our review. Get it at Amazon | Westminster
The Jesus Storybook Bible – Gripping gospel focus, though it sometimes seems to suggest that Bible stories are not meant to serve as examples (contrast with 1 Cor 10:6, 11, etc.). Get it at Amazon | Westminster
Ages 5-7Mark’s Marvellous Book – I still hope this becomes more of a trend: A children’s story Bible that follows the shape and themes of a book of the Bible (rather than cherry-picking certain stories, ignoring the fact that they were written to an audience in a context). See my review. Get it at Amazon.
God’s Daring Dozen – Similar to Mark’s Marvellous Book, these short volumes each follow the shape and theme of a book of the Bible. These sets work through the twelve minor prophets, from Hosea to Malachi. And they are simply extraordinary. See my review. Get box 1 (Amazon | Westminster), box 2 (Amazon | Westminster), or BRAND NEW box 3 (Amazon).
The Big Picture Story Bible – A marvelous overview of the Bible’s rich storyline: The people of God under the rule of God in the place God gives. Read this to your kids at ages 0-2; then have them read it to themselves at ages 5-7. Get it at Amazon | Westminster
Ages 8-14The Radical Book for Kids – This is the kind of gift you get for your kids, but it’s also, sort of, partly, perhaps, for you. You know, like Legos, football tickets, or family room surround sound systems. It’s an engaging and delightful handbook of the Christian faith. See my review. Get it at Amazon | Westminster
The Really Radical Book for Kids – Just as wonderfully radical as the first one, only really so. See my review. Get it at Amazon | Westminster. Or get a deal on both Radical books at Westminster.
Or perhaps you’d like to consider getting them their own beginner reader’s Bible.
I highly recommend the series of devotionals by Marty Machowski. These volumes don’t merely communicate Christian truth, as important as that is; they train children to study the Bible and find that truth for themselves. In addition, the “daily” family devotions take only 5 days/week, and they truly take only 10 minutes per day. The payoff is high, but the price of entry is low. This makes it more likely you’ll be able to stay consistent with them. Every volume in this series has the same high quality; each also has the same basic structure for each day’s devotion. See my review.
Happy gift shopping!
Disclaimer: Links in this post to Amazon, Westminster, and Logos are affiliate links, which means this blog receives a small commission when you click those links. Doing this helps us to cover our costs, enabling us to continue recommending decent resources. Thank you.
