Frankly the idea of studying the Scriptures with an app or a tablet or a mobile device of any kind used to make me balk. Sacred Words plastered all over a rigid piece of plastic with a shockingly white screen seemed too sterile...too impersonal...too detached. How could I be expected to hear the Still Small Voice on a device designed to project noise into my life? What if I wanted to highlight and take personal notes? And the feel? How could hard plastic foster the same soul-stirring memories of my faith walk as the supple leather of my favorite Bible?
But, that was then...back in the day when I was the last of my friends to jump on the Facebook band wagon. I had no smart phone. No social media presence. No text plan. Nothin'.
This is now. While I'm still only a few toes into the huge pool of digital technology (I just got a smart phone and a texting plan two months ago. Yes, really!), I have come to see the plethora of online Bible study resources as a huge blessing of 21st century living.
The benefits of online studies and resources are three-fold.
Benefits of online studies and resources
They are budget-friendly
For the most part, online studies and reference resources are free or significantly cheaper than print version.
They are flexible
In the early days of my mothering, I couldn't always devote one large chunk of time to Bible study. I had lots of little people demanding my attention from the moment I wiped the sleep from my eyes. Most days, I was lucky to read a verse or two while I re-heated my cup of coffee for the third time. Often I had to settle for the grab-and-go kind of devotions.
I know that my quiet time would have been much more consistent and refreshing had I known the luxury of online resources. Carrying a pocket-sized Bible in my purse to whip out while waiting in the hallway during my daughter's piano lessons was one thing. Spreading a study workbook, a mound of colored highlighters, a Strong's Concordance, and a Bible atlas out on the ground in front of me would have been an entirely different bag-o-crazy all together. But the truth is, a Bible app or free reference site would have afforded me all that in an easy "while you wait" package. No matter where I was, no matter how brief my moment of solitude, if I had my phone with me, I also would have had an opportunity for life-giving Words.
They are more efficient
My space is limited. Although I have carved out a shelf for study Bibles and reference tools, I do not have nearly the amount of book shelf space for the amount of resources I would like to own. An online concordance app or Bible reference desk site not only simplifies study storage, it brings the research and cross-referencing process to digital speed leaving more time for lingering in the Word.
Online Bible Studies for Women
Over the past couple of years, I have participated in a few really engaging online studies. Here is a list of my favorites. They all go through the Bible in a book-by-book style providing a wonderful broad portrait of Truth. Each has a daily suggested reading with commentary and personal application given in a blog or vlog (video blog) post several times a week, and most have print resources that can be printed for free or purchased to be used alongside the online study as well as online forums or Facebook groups for group accountability and community. I have never used the print materials or group forums because I have found the free online offerings to be just want I need during short seasons, so I cannot vouch for their helpfulness.
Depending up the amount of time you have on any given day, read the few key verses and blog post provided on the site OR look up the extended verse sections in your Bible and then read the post OR do all of that plus consult a few concordances or reference tools for further explanation of the passage. The online posts can be your sole devotional for the day or a launching pad for deep study. The choice is yours.
She Reads TruthDepending up the amount of time you have on any given day, read the few key verses and blog post provided on the site OR look up the extended verse sections in your Bible and then read the post OR do all of that plus consult a few concordances or reference tools for further explanation of the passage. The online posts can be your sole devotional for the day or a launching pad for deep study. The choice is yours.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Good Morning Girls
Love God Greatly
AnGeL Ministries
Online Reference Tools
While most of these tools can be downloaded as apps for mobile devices, I will list them here as websites.
Bible Gateway- searches 198 different Bible translations in 72 different languages
Bible Study Tools- Bible commentaries, translations, reading plans, audio Bibles, devotionals, dictionaries, lexicons and much more
Blue Letter Bible- Bible commentaries, Bible references, and theological resources in a convenient app
My Study Bible- a digital reference Bible comparable to any popular print study Bible (This is the online study site created by Living Proof Ministries and famed author/speaker Beth Moore.)
Bible Hub- a plethora of study tools including atlases and timelines
Got any favorite online studies or tools worth sharing? Leave it in the comments for other mommas to enjoy.
Be sure to join me in the coming days as I share some tips and tools for Bible study.
5 Days of Bible Study Tips & Tools for the Busy Momma
Helpful Bible Study Tips and Tricks
A Peek into My Bible Study Routine
A website that I have found extremely valuable in my study of the Bible and in teaching my children about the Bible is jw.org . It has the Bible in over 100 languages, answers tons of Bible questions, help for families. There's also Bible-based videos for children, teenagers and adults. You can even download publications that help in your study of the Bible. And it's all free.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gotquestions.org/Jehovahs-Witnesses.html
DeletePlease be aware that Tina has posted links to jehovahs witness material. Readers, do not be led astray by believing these "publications" help you interpret they Bible. They do not believe Jesus was part of the triune God and have changed the words in their Bible to reflect that, namely John 1. They do not believe that what Christ did on the cross assures salvation for those who repent and believe, instead you must do what the governing counsel says in order to earn your salvation. They do not believe in heaven but rather that God will send Jesus to destroy all non JW with fire. Tina, come out of that "church" and experience that true freedom that comes from the assurance of the Holy Spirit and the salvation that is a finished work. to try to earn salvation is like throwing pennies at the cross while Jesus is giving His life for you.
DeleteI Love Good Morning Girls, It has been amazing in my life. Also Love God Greatly, a more recent site is also amazing!
ReplyDeleteA group of girls and I do it together. Right now there are 5 of us. Each week-day one of us emails the rest of the group, with some thoughts from the days readings. It works well for a busy time of life, with young children.
Thanks for the wonderful topic! Thanks for the time you spend on this blog for us. I appreciate it.
I'm sure your group is so life-giving for you as you dive deep into the Word! That's awesome. God bless.
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ReplyDeleteHi Jamie! I have been reading your blog for years and love it. Thanks for all you do. :-)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add one more amazing online Bible study resource to your list. Helpclubformoms.com offers three devotionals a week and practical mom tips. The mom tips are great! I also really like that the devotionals can be done in less than thirty minutues. I usually spend time with the Lord in the morning before the kids wake up so it works out well.
Hi Jamie! I have been reading your blog for years and love it. Thanks for all you do. :-)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add one more amazing online Bible study resource to your list. Helpclubformoms.com offers three devotionals a week and practical mom tips. The mom tips are great! I also really like that the devotionals can be done in less than thirty minutues. I usually spend time with the Lord in the morning before the kids wake up so it works out well.