Using BiBLE REFEREnCE TooLsA g u i d e f o r d e e p e n i n g y o u r B i b l e s t u d y w i t h r e f e r e n c e r e s o u r c e s

oVERViEW FinD UnDERsTAnD

The best reference library in the world and the most intense study can never be a substitute for simply reading the Bible, listening to it, and reflecting on it, thus allowing the Holy spirit to illuminate your understanding.

First Things First

overviewThe overview category is designed for resources that give you the essentials for Bible study. These resources give you the big picture of scripture in one place. it includes The Zondervan NIV Atlas to the Bible, The Essential Bible Companion, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, and more.

FindThe Find category is designed for resources that help you locate things in the text. These resources vary from topical lists to detailed collections of every verse in scripture. it includes resources like The Bible Verse Finder, All the Women of the Bible, and Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.

UnderstandThe Understand category is designed for the resources that help you dig deeply into scripture and comprehend difficult passages. it includes resources like The Zondervan Bible Dictionary, In the Steps of Jesus, The NIV Application Commentary series and more.

When you walk into a bookstore with a wide selection of Bible reference tools, the sheer number and variety can be overwhelming—especially when you’re not sure how to even start deciding which ones you need.

Zondervan’s reference tools are designated by three easy categories to help you understand how each one helps you study the Bible.

so Many Reference Books – What’s the Difference?

one Example of Using Reference Tools with your study Bible

Begin by reading an overview resource to get the “bird’s eye view”

of how “kingdom” is used in scripture. on page 549 of Halley’s

Bible Handbook, Deluxe Ed. we learn that the word “kingdom”

appears over 40 times in the book of Matthew.

A BAsiC WoRD sTUDY oF “KingDoM”He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed” – Matt. 13:31a (niV)

if you have multiple translations of the Bible, look for common

renderings of “kingdom” and note any unique renderings. nAsB, KJV, niV

and TniV Bibles are each rich translations available from Zondervan.

next, use a reference tool from the Find category to see how many

times “kingdom” appears in the Bible. on page 625 of the strongest niV

Exhaustive Concordance we learn that “kingdom” appears in 302 other

verses and can easily see where to look in the Bible to find them.

Then use a reference tool from the Understand category to learn the

original definition and origin of “kingdom” on pages 379-380 Mounce’s

Complete Expository Dictionary of old and new Testament Words

we learn that “kingdom” is an overarching theme for understanding

foundational ideas of the whole Bible.

now that we know the full, original meaning of

“kingdom” we can apply it to our lives by asking

“How should i live as a member of the kingdom

of god?”

so Why Does This Matter?

going Deeper with ReferenceListed below are the top twenty resources in the Zondervan reference library. You can grow in any of the three areas and add them at a beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. These resources are beneficial for small group study, church classes, introducing your family to Bible study, or personal Bible study. For more information on these resources, visit www.zondervan.com/reference

going Deeper

overviewBeginner:The Bible for Blockheads• ISBN9780310273882

The Essential Bible Companion• ISBN9780310266624

intermediate:How to Read the Bible for All its Worth• ISBN9780310246046

How to Read the Bible Book by Book• ISBN9780310211181

Rick Warren’s Bible study Methods• ISBN9780310273004

Zondervan Handbook to the Bible• ISBN9780310262718

Advanced:Zondervan niV Atlas of the Bible• ISBN9780310251606

FindBeginner:Zondervan niV Bible Verse Finder• ISBN9780310292050

intermediate:nave’s Topical Bible• ISBN9780310579502

Advanced:The strongest niV Exhaustive Concordance• ISBN9780310262855

Beginner:Zondervan niV Bible Verse Finder• ISBN9780310292050

intermediate:nave’s Topical Bible• ISBN9780310579502

Advanced:The strongest niV Exhaustive Concordance• ISBN9780310262855

UnderstandBeginner:Amazing Discoveries That Unlock the Bible• ISBN9780310257998

How We got the Bible• ISBN9780310253068

incredible Mysteries of the Bible• ISBN9780310255949

Zondervan Bible Commentary: one Volume illustrated Edition• ISBN9780310262640

Zondervan Bible Dictionary• ISBN9780310293040

intermediate:Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of old and new Testament Words• ISBN9780310248781

in the steps of Jesus• ISBN9780310276470

Zondervan illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary—old Testament• ISBN9780310255727

Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible • ISBN9780310241362

Advanced:niV Application Commentary—Mark• ISBN9780310493501