Recommended Reading Part 1

When I study I find that there are a few things that are invaluable to my studies.

Bibles:

The New American Standard Bible and the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

These are the most clear and accurate bible translations that I have found. I know that some prefer the KJV of the bible, and it is a good translation, but we no longer use the English language in the same way. In order to teach from the KJV you have to translate the old English words to their modern equivalents. This results in the teaching from a translation of a translation. And while that is not impossible it can be awkward.

UBS 4 Greek New Testament and the Greek New Testament according to the Majority Text.

I mostly use the UBS 4 now but I started out using the Majority Text and still refer to it on occasion. No matter what translation of the Bible that you use as a bible teacher you must compare it to the original languages otherwise you miss so much of the meaning. For example the words translated as love ἀγαπη and φιλεος one is integrity love biased on the person doing the loving (ἀγαπη) "“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, NASB95) and one is friendship love biased on the rapport that two people have (φιλεος). "He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep." (John 21:17, NASB95) if one did not look at the Greek in these verses then you would miss that these two verses are speaking of different kinds of love.

Key Word Study Bible (NASB).

This is a New American Standard Bible translation that has key words from each verse underlined and referenced with Strong’s numbers and has the definitions and word studies in the back. It also has notes in the text to better explain some concepts. If I could only have one book this would be it.

Scofeild Reference Bible (HCSB).

This is a Holman Christian Standard Bible with Scofeild notes. If I could only have two books this would be the second one.

You may note that I do not have a favorite Hebrew resource; this is because I have not looked into the Hebrew enough to have one. I, honestly, find the Hebrew language intimidating.