This Best Tools for Bible Study post is sponsored by Logos Bible Study App, a Bible study tool we’ve personally used for nearly 10 years. We’re sharing how we actually use it for in-depth Bible study.
Ever since Ashley and I attended Bible college, we’ve had a huge love for learning and going DEEP into God’s Word. One of the tools we discovered early on was Logos. We noticed that so many of our professors, pastors, and favorite theologians were using it to study Scripture, prepare lessons, and better understand the Bible.
And naturally, we had to try it for ourselves!
Fast-forward nearly 10 years, and Ashley, Mentor Mama (Ellen), and I still use Logos to prepare Bible studies, research difficult passages, and create the in-depth biblical content we share through Coffee and Bible Time.
It’s become one of our most trusted Bible study resources, and something we continually return to when we want to better understand a passage.
For example, when we’re preparing a Bible study and come across a passage we want to understand better, we often pull up Logos to compare commentaries and look at the historical background. It helps us slow down, ask better questions, and make sure we’re explaining the passage in context rather than just going with our first impression.
Here’s what we want you to know: you don’t have to go to Bible college to study the Bible deeply!
There are so many wonderful resources available to help us understand Scripture, and Logos brings many of them together in one place.
If you’ve been looking for the best tools for Bible study, we want to share how we actually use Logos to dig deeper into God’s Word!
→ Start a free 60-day trial at logos.com/coffeeandbibletime
1. Using Bible Commentaries: One of the Best Tools for Bible Study When a Passage Leaves You Confused
Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and thought: Wait… what does that actually mean?
We’ve ALL been there!
One of the first things we learned in Bible college was how important it is to understand Scripture in its original context.
Who wrote this book? Who were they writing to? What was happening historically? And how does this passage fit into the larger message of Scripture?
That’s where Bible commentaries become incredibly helpful. They are truly some of the best tools for Bible study when you want to dig past the surface of a text.
One thing we love about Logos is being able to open several commentaries alongside our Bible and compare insights from different scholars.
Instead of having a dozen books spread across our desks or jumping between random websites, we can explore different perspectives in one place.
And while we always want to think critically about what we’re reading, it’s reassuring to have access to a library of established biblical scholarship.
Our favorite tip: Read the passage for yourself first. Write down your observations and questions, and then consult a commentary to help deepen your understanding.
2. Bible Word Studies: Exploring the Original Hebrew and Greek
Believe me when I say taking Greek in Bible college was CRAZY intense!
Thankfully, studying the original languages with Logos is much more approachable than sitting through a college-level Greek class. 😂
One of our favorite things to do when studying Scripture is explore the original Hebrew and Greek words. And the best part is that you don’t have to know either language to get started!
With Logos, we can select any word and explore its original-language meaning, how it’s used in a particular passage, and where it appears elsewhere in Scripture.
This is so helpful because our English translations can’t always communicate every nuance of the original language.
Of course, a word can have different meanings depending on its context, which is why we never want to build an interpretation around a definition alone. But exploring the original languages has helped us notice details we might otherwise overlook!
Our favorite tip: When a word stands out to you, explore how it’s used throughout Scripture, while always coming back to the context of the passage you’re studying.
3. Logos Study Assistant: A Place to Bring Your Questions
Sometimes the hardest part of Bible study isn’t reading the passage. It’s knowing what to do with all the questions that come afterward!
Maybe you’re wondering:
- What does this passage teach me about God’s character?
- How can this passage apply to my life?
- What was happening culturally when this was written?
One of the newer Logos features we’ve been excited to explore is the Study Assistant.
It’s an AI-powered tool designed to help you investigate biblical questions using the Bible and resources from Logos’ theological library. What makes this particularly great is that it points you toward supporting resources, so you can explore where the information comes from rather than simply accepting an answer. If we have a question and aren’t sure which commentary to check first, it can help point us toward resources worth exploring.
Of course, AI isn’t perfect, and no technology should replace personally reading Scripture, praying for wisdom, and carefully evaluating what we’re learning.
We see it as a starting point for further study, not a substitute for studying God’s Word ourselves.
Our favorite tip: Ask a question that genuinely came up during your Bible reading. Then explore the cited resources and return to Scripture to examine what you’ve learned.
4. Bible History and Cultural Background: Understanding the World of the Bible
It’s pretty obvious that we live in a verrryyyy different world than the people who lived during Bible times!
And sometimes we forget just HOW different.
We can’t approach Scripture assuming that people thousands of years ago thought, lived, and experienced the world exactly as we do today.
Understanding historical and cultural context is such an important part of interpreting the Bible faithfully. Background guides are some of the best tools for Bible study because they bring the ancient world to life.
For example, when studying the Gospels, learning about first-century Jewish culture can help us better understand Jesus’ conversations, teachings, and interactions with others.
One tool we love exploring in Logos is Factbook, which helps us research biblical people, places, events, and historical topics.
We can also use Passage Guide to find related commentaries, cross-references, and other resources connected to the Scripture we’re studying.
It’s incredibly helpful when we’re preparing lessons and want to communicate the historical setting accurately.
Our favorite tip: When you encounter an unfamiliar person, place, or cultural practice, take a few minutes to investigate it before moving on.
5. Keeping the Best Tools for Bible Study in One Place with Logos
This might sound simple, but it’s one of the reasons we’ve continued using Logos for so many years!
We love books. We love study Bibles. We love commentaries.
But having our Bible study resources organized and searchable in one place makes Bible study so much easier.
We can read Scripture, explore commentaries, research questions, and compare resources without constantly switching between books and websites.
And since Logos is available on both computers and mobile devices, we can continue studying wherever we are.
You Don’t Need a Bible College Degree to Study Deeply When You Have the Best Tools for Bible Study at Your Fingertips
If there’s one thing we hope you take away from this post, it’s this: You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to grow in your understanding of God’s Word.
Start right where you are. Read a passage. Ask questions. Pray for wisdom. Take time to understand the context. And don’t be afraid to use trustworthy resources when you need help!
Logos has been one of those resources for our family for nearly a decade, and we’re grateful for how it has supported our study and teaching. If you’re looking to invest in the best tools for Bible study to grow your personal quiet time, Logos is a fantastic place to start.
If you’d like to explore it for yourself, Logos has given our community an exclusive 60-day free trial. You can also explore the specially discounted Coffee and Bible Time Study Bundle we put together with their team. Start a free 60-day trial at logos.com/coffeeandbibletime
Our prayer is that you’ll continue growing in confidence, curiosity, and love for God’s Word, one passage at a time.
Happy Bible studying!
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