by René Allen
Member since:
September 30, 2007

Do you use a Bible Concordance?

September 13, 2012 01:34 AM UTC
views: 0 | 4 people recommend this | comments: 28

During your Bible Studies, there are various aids that will assist you in having a more fulfilling Bible Study lesson.  One of the tools you can use is a Bible Concordance.  This will help you to readily find the passages you are looking for.  You may remember a scripture, a phrase, or a word, or something about the scripture that hits you, and you remember it, but you may not remember which book of the Bible it is in.  The Concordance will help you to find it.


  • A Bible Dictionary is also helpful for looking up words and their definitions so that you will have a better understanding of what you are studying.

I don't know how many of the Bible Study members here in the Group use a Bible Concordance, but if you do, we'd like to hear from you on this topic.

Pictured to the left is a Strong's Concise Concordance along with Vine's Concise Dictionary. Invaluable tools to assist you with your Bible Study.  If you don't use these tools yet, next time you are in the Christian Book Store, or a regular Book Store, seek these aids out, and sit down in a comfortable spot in the Book Store, and take a look at them.  You'll find a smile come to your face with the stimulating insight that you will find inside of each book.

I must have my Bible Concordance by my side as I do my Bible Studies.  I also use my Bible Dictionary.

As most of the members in this Group already know, there are aids in the back of your Bibles...you'll find indexes, guides, maps, and in some cases a Bible dictionary (depending upon the Bible you are studying from).  Some of the members here may also find that the tools in the back of their Bible are somewhat limited.  This is all the more reason to purchase a Bible Concordance and a Bible Dictionary.

You may find both of these tools on line as well.  Therefore, you don't have to necessarily run out and purchase them.  You can look what you need up on BibleStudyTools.com or Biblegateway.com (just for starters).  The internet is such a great place to obtain all of the information you need in relation to your Bible Study lessons.

Personally, I love Strong's Concordance -- any version -- LARGE PRINT, small print, older version, newer version -- I have them all ~ smiles.

Just take a moment to Google any of these items, and take a peek at what they offer if you have never used these tools before.

 

 

Do share with us whether or not you have used these Bible aids in your Bible Studies, and if so, which type of Concordance do you use?  Which type of Bible Dictionary do you use for your studies?

Would you be interested in hearing more about how these Bible aids help in having deeper Bible Studies?  If so, just leave your comments and thoughts for everyone.  Please tell us what you think, and let us know what insight you have that will help us to have fuller Bible Studies.

If you have any questions for the members in here (your Bible Study friends), just leave your response to this post, and we will all do our best to participate in communicating our thoughts, insight, and knowledge to make our in-depth Bible Study as enjoyable and informative as possible.

We've only just begun ~ smiles...

This Bible Study Gather Group is distined to be very uplifting for everyone!

Comments: 28

René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 1:42am UTC
If you are seeing this post outside of Our Gather Bible Study Group, you are invited to JOIN US...

BibleLove.Gather.com

You'll enjoy our in-depth Bible Studies ~ We're just getting started!
Teresa W. Sep 13, 2012, 2:10am UTC
I haven't studied the Bible for some years now. But I did study it extensively when I was attending church. I think Bible study with my friends was some of the most enjoyable times I ever had. We would talk about the Bible passages, read them, share how we felt, look through our concordances and other aids, look at maps and just immerse ourselves in it. It was a good way to study and I have some very good memories. I have used several different concordances and I don't really have any one particular favorite. I always went overboard and picked up different concordances, maps, dictionaries and whatever I could find at the used book stores and thrift stores that would help me to get as much information as I could to help me get plenty of information on whatever topic we were studying. Now, with the Internet, you can get all that information without having to keep an entire room full of real books though I do love handling real books and looking through them.
René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 12:13pm UTC
Hi Teresa ~ Is there any particular reason why you fell away from studying the Bible? I'm just curious. I know that many people do so from time to time because of life issues. Some fall away because of disappointment in God.

Bible Study is so rewarding. I love Bible Study by myself, and in Group settings only when there is a very anointed Bible Teacher present -- or Group members that can really add to the study and bring it to life.

I can really get into what you've shared about your Bible Studies wherein you were immersed in them.

I'm laughing, because I do the same thing with Bible aids and tools as you've mentioned...

"I have used several different concordances and I don't really have any one particular favorite. I always went overboard and picked up different concordances, maps, dictionaries and whatever I could find at the used book stores and thrift stores that would help me to get as much information as I could to help me get plenty of information on whatever topic we were studying." ~ Teresa W.

I've found a couple of rare Bibles that are just fascinating! Everybody wanted to borrow them -- I only parted with one for a minute so that my Sister could read it -- I trusted her to return it. I rarely part with books or music, and I have a very hard time parting with the art that I create. Don't know if that will change ~ smiling.

And, of course, I agree with you about the internet, but I am one of those people that really loves having a book in my hand -- I don't know if I can do without real books!

Glad to SEE you and talk with you Teresa!
Teresa W. Sep 14, 2012, 12:11am UTC
Oh, my faith took a hard hit and then lots of life happened. I did not pass my trials with good grace instead choosing to backslide. After avoiding God for several years, I have started picking up the ocassional inspirational book to read. I'm not quite back to studying but who knows!
Margaret, Jeze and Cookie Richardson Sep 13, 2012, 7:07am UTC
Yes, all of the above are useful tools for Bible Study, but please remember, that the Concordance (or whatever aid you use) does not replace the Holy Bible, which has always been, is still, and will always be, the Word of God. God will give one enlightenment if one chooses to ask Him, and if that knowledge will enhance what one is doing at the time...but He is not obligated to provide answers, that's where FAITH comes into play ie, knowing that nothing God does is meant to cause us harm. God bless.
René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 12:18pm UTC
You know I agree with what you said about the Concordance not being a replacement to the Holy Bible -- but I do find it to be an enhancement. It seriously helps me to get to what I am trying to pull out in my brain faster ~ it is very frustrating to have a scripture floating around in your mind, and you are at a temporary loss for where it is in the Bible. I have had moments like that. Especially when you need to speak on it, or give it to someone that you believe it would help in some way.

And, your words are very true about God provided enlightenment. God provides revelation, God speaks audibly, and we serve an AWESOME God. I'm sure we will be discussing our encounters with God in here.

Thanks for your input Margaret -- I'm going to your next comment...
Margaret, Jeze and Cookie Richardson Sep 13, 2012, 12:53pm UTC
Yes I agree Rene, it enhances our study, but I know many who take what is written in their Concordance as Gospel, when really it is only someone's interpretation that they are reading.
René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 4:57pm UTC
Hi Margaret, I'm glad you expounded on what you were sharing with us about people using the Concordance as Gospel. That is interesting. It is really more a way to find what you need when you forget -- to me anyway. I think of the Concordance as an Index, not a Bible.

I know there are many of us who are Ordained -- have you been Ordained Margaret?
Margaret, Jeze and Cookie Richardson Sep 13, 2012, 7:28am UTC
A site that I find has many useful Bible studies (I use them privately as well as amongst the street folk) is www.joyfulhearts.com There is also a forum for most studies, that allows those who cannot get out to Bible groups to engage in group studies with people the world over. It doesn't matter from which denomination you are, or even that you are a believer, it is a very friendly and accepting forum. God bless.
René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 5:01pm UTC
I just bookmarked the Site Margaret. That is the best thing about studying the Bible with people who are interested in just that -- who has time to worry about what Religion a person is, or what Denomination they are? It grieves me ... thanks for sharing that about the Site.

The Forums should be interesting. They have that on BibleStudyTools.com as well -- and you can start Bible Study Groups on there as well.
Margaret, Jeze and Cookie Richardson Sep 13, 2012, 10:21pm UTC
If you mean am I ordained by a particular Church or denomination then No, but God has called me to His ministry and The Sure Foundation Theological Institute (where I'm studying via online courses) regards me as a Pastor. This year I am hoping to complete my Doctorate of Eschatalogical (sp) Theology, sure it's a lot of work, but I am enjoying learning more about how God has chosen to reveal Himself to His creation.
Margaret, Jeze and Cookie Richardson Sep 13, 2012, 10:22pm UTC
Another free Bible site is www.biblepro.org. One can also order a CD with the full version of the programme for a very low cost (from memory around $2.95), or one can simply download the one from the website, or use the online versions.
Margaret, Jeze and Cookie Richardson Sep 13, 2012, 10:36pm UTC
Yes Rene, I use the other forums you mention as well. As to denominations within the Church headed by Jesus Christ, well they're man's idea, I believe because different groups decided that their interpretation of Scripture was more relevant than another's...losing sight of the God that we all serve, and that Heaven has no borders. For me, my father was raised in a strict Baptist family, my mother in an equally strict Presbyterian one (her grandparents who raised her were elders in their church). As a family we attended the local Community Church, when we migrated to Australia we attended a Presbyterian Church then a Uniting Church, I was married in an Anglican Church, came to know God when I was attending the Salvation Army (where I became a Senior Soldier, the first Church that I was a member), then God called me from there and for a time I continued drifting from Church to Church, until He told me to stay at a Baptist Church, where I remain until He calls me elsewhere.
JOHN BECK Sep 13, 2012, 7:52am UTC
When I was in high school, my girlfriend knew that I admired the multiple volume Interpreters' Bible which our minister owned. Of course the whole set was very expensive, but she bought me one volume for my birthday or Christmas, I forget which.
I have not done any serious bible study for decades, but I used not only a concordance and various commentaries, but also different translations including the Smith Goodspeed and the Moffatt.
René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 5:05pm UTC
I like the Interpreters Bible JOHN -- I have it, but I have not really used it as much as I should. I have the more modern version -- single copy -- I know which one you are talking about when you say "very expensive" ~ smiles.

Yes! The Commentaries ~ Oh how I love the Commentaries. I like the Believer's Commentary the best. But there are so many others -- I have a few that I use. You know, you may be like this too -- I get deep into Bible Study for a period of time, and then I pop out of the depth of it for a while. I like Moffatt and Smith.

When you would do your serious in-depth Bible Studies JOHN, did you tend to do them mainly alone, or in Groups?
JOHN BECK Sep 13, 2012, 8:15pm UTC
Alone. I also have the single volume Interpreter's Bible.
Tim T. Sep 13, 2012, 8:12am UTC
YES WE DO!
René Allen Sep 13, 2012, 5:06pm UTC
Hi Tim ~ Which Concordances do you use?
Pamela Marks Sep 13, 2012, 10:30am UTC
This is one thing I wish we had that when my Parents died I didn't think of getting. There were a few things that were always out at my parents house, a puzzle, the bible, the concordence and of course my mothers journal for the day.
Sharon P. Sep 13, 2012, 11:32am UTC
Thanks for inviting me, my belief in God is a bit outside the mainstream. Hope that's okay. I was lucky growing up in that my grandmother's Bible had concordance, dictionary, pictures (in black and white, and even some art work), and odd bits of history in the back.
It and the funny papers were how she taught me to read by 3. My aunt has that Bible now.
RedBird. B. Sep 13, 2012, 2:37pm UTC
I do sometimes use The Bible Concordance. It can be very Helpful when looking for a
particular passage.
Larry H. Sep 13, 2012, 10:08pm UTC
SOMETIMES
Nora D. Sep 13, 2012, 10:16pm UTC
I've got, I believe, six or seven different Bibles, with various translations.....I think a couple of them have concordances.....however, I'm REALLY wanting to get myself an electronic Bible, one that I can carry with me at all times......they are so very neat and really, not all that expensive!
Carrie Marie P. Sep 15, 2012, 10:44pm UTC
I had no idea anything like existed. Now, no laughing! We were expected to learn and memorize (I am Roman Catholic). I remember writing lines and lines of scriptures and expecting to cite where they came from!
I'd love to learn more, b/c I barely remember all of the Books names anymore!
Ed Da Head Toker Sep 16, 2012, 12:19am UTC
koool
Connie C. Sep 19, 2012, 10:27am UTC

I am just stopping by once again to let you know that this post/photo was spotlighted in the

What Is Happening Today on Gather ~ Tuesday September 18, 2012

I hope you have time to check out the other spotlighted posts/photos as well.

Sorry I am a day late in letting you know. Have a wonderful day!
Connie C. Sep 19, 2012, 10:29am UTC
I use the bible dictionary and concordance all the time. I am a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). We are encouraged to use them and to cross reference the verses as well. When I start out reading a chapter, I can be all over the scriptures before I am finished. LOL
Angela Watkins Thomas Feb 26, 2013, 8:26am UTC
Yes I do use a Bible Concordance, Bible Dictionary, Bible Commentary, Bible Maps & Vines of Hebrew & Greek Words as well as a regular dictionary.

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