• Navigators - https://www.navigators.org/resources/ (Excellent discipleship teaching tools The Hand, Wheel, & Bridge Illustrations, Prayer Guide)

• Replicate Ministries - https://replicate.org/resources (HEAR Journal for intentional Bible reading & application, Bible reading plans, books, etc)

• Ministry Tools - http://MinTools.com (Excellent Spiritual Gift tests, definitions, uses and ministry areas used)

• Bible Project Reading Plans and Videos - https://bibleproject.com/explore/ or You Version APP

• Blue Letter Bible - https://blueletterbible.org (On APP, touch a passage and be taken to links for original word meanings, where else the word can be found in Scripture, commentaries, etc. On the website, click on tools next to your passage.)

• ESV Study Bible, NIV Study Bible (and cultural backgrounds study Bible), Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible

• Lifeway - https://www.lifeway.com/en/ministries/small-group (Wide selection of curriculum, articles, books, podcasts, etc!)

• Logos Bible Software (increase amount of resources included; free and paid online versions)

• For Everyone Commentary Series by NT Wright

• God’s Word for You Commentary Series (on individual books of Bible)

• Gospel Coalition free online commentaries for every Bible book - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/

• Jim Hamilton Commentaries

• Bible Project podcast and videos

• Desiring God website

• Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson

• Right Now Media (we have a church-wide subscription you may access)

God is a speaking God. A primary way He speaks to us is through His written Word, and He wants us to respond to what He has and is saying by applying it to how we live our everyday lives. Different people prefer different application methods, so here are a variety of methods for you to personally try and to use in helping others to apply God’s Word to their beliefs and behaviors. May these be a tremendous help as you seek to be a disciple who is fully devoted to knowing Christ, following Him and making other disciples!
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BIBLE READING APPLICATION METHODS

• Main Questions
  ‍ What does this passage teach me about God?

How should I alter my beliefs and behaviors in light of that?

• C.I.A. – Comprehension, Interpretation, Application
  C - Comprehension – What does the passage say?
  ‍ ‍I - Interpretation - What does the passage mean? (consider context, etc)
  ‍ ‍ A - Application - How should I respond?  (practical life application - do or do
  not follow the example, specific way to apply the teaching to your beliefs
  and behaviors…)

• H.E.A.R. Journal (www.replicate.org) 

H - Highlight key verse(s)
What stands out to you?

E - Explain teaching
What did this passage mean?

A - Apply to personal life circumstances
‍ ‍ How does this passage apply to your everyday life?

R - Respond to God
‍ ‍ How will you respond to this passage?

• A.P.P.L.Y. - 5 questions to ask yourself anytime you come into contact with God’s Word (by Vickey Banks) 

A - Admit
‍ ‍ Is there something from this passage I need to admit?

P - Promise
‍ ‍Is there a universal promise to claim?

P - Praise
Is there something here to praise God for? 

L - Lesson
Is there a lesson to learn?

Y - Yield
Is there something I need to yield/surrender to?

• PONDER, PICTURE, PRAY (great for creatives, ponderers…)
  Ponder
  Read slowly and think about deeply

  Picture
  ‍ ‍ Paint it (How would you paint/draw/describe this scene?)

  Put yourself in it (If you were in this story, who would you have been & how
  would you have responded? How would God like you to respond?)

  Parallel (Is there a present day situation in our life that is similar?)

  Practically apply the truths and principles of this passage to your life

Pray (Respond by praying your impressions back to God)

BIBLE STUDY APPLICATION METHODS

• COMA

  C - Context (What is the Setting?)

  ‍ Genre? (Type of writing - letter, poetry…)

  ‍ Background? (Author, audience, situation…)

  ‍ Location (What happened just before this passage?) ‍

  O - Observation (What stands out?)

  Details? (Images, key words and ideas, emotions…) ‍

  ‍ ‍. What does the passage reveal about God?

  M- Meaning (What is the main point?)

  ‍ ‍ How would you summarize the main point in your own words?
  How does this passage relate to the overall book of the Bible and the overarching story of Scripture?

  A - Application (How should I respond?)

  How should this passage impact my beliefs?

  How should this passage impact my behavior?

  What is one action step I should take in response to this passage?
  ‍

• FOCUSed 15 METHOD - Read the same short passage every day for 5 days, doing just one of the following things each day (by Katie Orr, www.katieorr.me) 

       F - Foundation
Rewrite the passage in your own words

O - Observation
Ask Questions (see W’s & H Journalism Qs below)

C - Clarification
Look up Key Words in the passage

U - Utilization
Look up Cross References for the passage

S - Summation
Summarize Findings & Personal Application

• Journalism Qs - Who, What, When, Where, Why, How

EXAMPLES:
‍ ‍ Who wrote this? Who was the audience?

What was the context? What is the main teaching? What can I learn about God? 

  When was it written and why is that significant? 

  Where was it written? (context)

  Why was it written? (response to specific problem or concern, to avoid or resolve
conflict…)

  How can I practically apply this teaching/example to my life?

BRIEF NOTES ON SOME OF THE MOST USER-FRIENDLY BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

New Living Translation (NLT) is the easiest to read Bible Translation that is still a full translation (meaning it was produced by a team of scholars, instead of just one person’s interpretation like The Message). 

New International Version (NIV) is a fairly easy to read translation that gives a true thought-for-thought translation. 

Christian Standard Version (CSB) offers literal accuracy with contemporary readability. 

English Standard Version prioritizes a more literal, "word-for-word" translation, but that still substitutes formal “Thee” and “thou” type language.

PRINT BIBLES (may have large print options)

New Believer’s Bible NLT (Softcover): First Steps for New Christians 

Great special features here like notes on basic Christian beliefs, first steps, big questions, how to know God, glossary of Christian terms, simple reading plans, how to study, and a concise overview of each book of the Bible. Notes by Greg Laurie.

NIV, Starting Place Study Bible (An Introductory Study Bible), Hardcover 

Solid introductory study Bible with spotlights on Bible characters and notes on Q&A topics, context, core Christian beliefs and biblical basis, very helpful and concise intros to books and over 6,000 study notes to explain text. 

NIV, Storyline Bible

Each book introduction provides a “Storyline” perspective on how that book relates to the rest of the Bible. Good articles and notes on major events, key characters, and the theology of the Bible over seven historical eras: Creation / Patriarchs / Moses / Israel / After Exile / Jesus / The Church. Many of the notes have an applicational perspective. 

One Big Story Bible (kids & newer believers who want knowledge of Bible stories) 

Full-cover illustrations from the Gospel Project. Text shows how each Bible story points to Jesus. Easy to understand features on Big Questions, Big Words, Introductions for each book, etc.

CSB Explorer Bible for Kids

This is a very engaging full color Bible with loads of highlighted helps and QR codes throughout linking to educational videos, discussion questions and activity pages. This Bible includes archaeological evidence for the Bible and each biblical book has a great introduction and section that tells how the whole Bible points to Jesus and the good news of the gospel.

AUDIO BIBLE OPTIONS - Apps, CDs, Audiobooks

YouVersion - FREE APP with a wide selection of downloadable Bible versions that won’t depend on Wifi. Best overall Bible APP. Easy to navigate between books, chapters & verses. Consider trying NLT or NIV to begin.

The Total Complete Holy Bible - read by David Suchet. (NIV FREE Audio Bible)

Deep voice, very mild British accent by Christian actor. FREE on YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evbHWPSjeeo. Wonderful free listening option with background photos if you just want to start at the beginning of the Bible and listen to from there. However, there is no Table of Contents to know where to find the different books of the Bible.  

David Suchet Audio Bible - New International Version, NIV: Complete - Audible Audiobook Unabridged 

Downloadable audiobook with interactive table of contents for easy audio navigation. British Christian actor with a nice deep voice. Also available as an app.

NIV, Listener's Audio Bible, Audio CD: Vocal Performance by Max McLean

The Bible Experience: The Complete Bible, Audio CD: A Dramatic Audio Bible Performed by 400 of Today’s Biggest Stars and leading black voices (Audio CD) ~ $86 Amazon

75 digitally mastered audio CDs with a carrying case. All The Bible Experience Versions have a masterful music score underlying the dramatic performances.

The Bible Experience Audio Bible - Today’s New International Version, TNIV: Old Testament (Audible Audiobook - Unabridged) 

Narrated by some of today’s leading black voices (Oscar, Grammy, Emmy & Golden Globe winners)

The Bible Experience Audio Bible - Today’s New International Version, TNIV: New Testament (Audible Audiobook - Unabridged) 

Narrated by some of today’s leading black voices (Oscar, Grammy, Emmy & Golden Globe winners)

The Bible Experience Audio Bible also has $5-6 versions with smaller portions of the Bible in Audiobook form (The Poetic Books, Acts and Letters, The Historical Books, The Law, The Prophets, The Gospels)

AUDIO BIBLE PLAYERS (These are small devices for listening, if you want to hear the Bible but do not want to use apps or downloading technology.)

Daily Meditation NIV Audio Bible Player - New International Version Electronic Talking Bible with Charger and Earphone (Comes in other translations like NLV, ESV, KJV, CSB, and Amplified)

Small and portable with index system and book/chapter navigation keys. Preloaded with NIV electronic Bible and meditative music tracks so don’t need to download anything onto it. Always remember where you were when it is turned back on. Includes rechargeable battery, charger, earphones, speaker for private or family/small group listening. Great for seniors or those wanting to listen on the go.

Wonder Bible NIV- The Audio Bible Player (ESV, NIV) as seen on TV 

Small rechargeable audio player that is great for adults, children, seniors, and the visually impaired. Includes charging cable and meditation tracks.

BIBLE TOPIC QUESTIONS
www.gotquestions.com