Discover Bible Study Tools to Use With Your Reading Plan
There are more Bible study tools and apps available in today’s world than ever before that are suitable for every device and situation.
In a previous post, I presented why it’s important to have a Bible reading plan. In the next post, I’m going to present a variety of Bible reading plans that are available both digitally and for download and print.
Here are some of the tools I’m using on a regular basis and why I use them. I also want to know about your favorite Bible study tools, so please let me know in the comments at the end of the article.
Bible Study Tools on the Web
Bible Gateway
I use Bible 
Gateway (BibleGateway.com) almost exclusively while researching scripture in my browser. Bible Gateway provides passage lookup, keyword search, topical index, commentaries, dictionaries and a ton of versions and languages.
There are several online Bible study websites and I’ve used many of them. The reason I stick with Bible Gateway though is because it’s a pretty full package, as you can see from that list of features. The design of the site is clean and navigates easily. You don’t have to create an account, or give up any of your personal information to use the site, but if you choose to create an account, you can sync notes, bookmarks, reading plans and you can sync your highlighted text.
I use Bible Gateway when I have an internet connection and I’m working from my browser, which is very frequently.
Bible Study Tools for Devices
MySword
This one is for Android users. On my tablet, this is my tool of choice. It’s compact, it can be loaded with tons of resources, many of which users have ported from E-Sword, and it’s amazing. The added resources are downloaded and installed as modules.
I first discovered MySword when I lived in Eastern Europe and frequently found myself without wifi or internet. You don’t have to have an internet connection which is a tremendous benefit. This app is regularly updated and it’s strength is definitely in the add-on modules and in it’s usability while away from wifi.
You can make a donation to the developers which supports their ministry of further development on this tool and that unlocks even more features, but this is pretty sufficient on it’s own. I have found after having used MySword for about 2 years that the added features would be nice, and supporting development is something I desire to do.
While using MySword, I often have my tablet on a stand next to my laptop while I’m writing or studying. This allows me to have access to the resources I’ve plugged into MySword, like commentaries, Greek and Hebrew interlinear Bibles, and a concordance. This has become a power tool in my study and Bible reading.
The third-party modules available for MySword are found here on their website, and of those listed, the modules at BibleSupport.com are mostly the ones ported from e-Sword.
Download from their website: MySword
Bible Gateway, Android
I’ve only just begun using Bible Gateway on my tablet and I am really liking the features. On both my phone and tablet, I like the audio feature. For offline reading, you can download certain translations, but not all of them and not the translations I use most, at least not yet. The sync feature is a plus, and for my own study habits, I get more use out of that on my tablet than on my phone.
I wouldn’t consider it a “power tool” like My Sword just yet, but I’ve not been using the app version of Bible Gateway as long as I have used the web version. Just like their website, the app is really clean and has a natural flow to the navigation. And did I mention that the audio feature is really cool? It’s the Bible and it’s read by Max McLean. That is cool.
Bible Gateway in the App Store, Google Play, Kindle Fire
One More Power Tool
This one is for the serious student. It’s called Interlinear Scripture Analyzer and it is powerful Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Bible software for Windows. ILS is also available in pdf, though I haven’t used those.
This truly is a tool that you’ll hjust have to experience if your a Windows user. And, it’s completely free, though donations can be made towards the project. Check out the screenshots:
And What About Your Bible Study Tools?
That’s the short list of my my frequently used Bible study tools. I would love to know about other tools people are using, especially those of you who use Apple since I’m coming from an Android user’s perspective.
These are some great resources! I am a little biased since I work for Logos Bible Software, but I would highly recommend a Logos Base Package for your study and writing. It has been a tremendous resource for me in ministry and writing! The compatibility across platforms (Mac/PC) is exceptional and the mobile devices are pretty amazing. I actually wrote a post about the newest version when it launched which may be helpful for you – http://www.joelstravels.com/the-best-bible-software-gets-better-logos-version-6/
Hi Joel, thank you for that link, a very valuable resource! I have used Logos in the past and I agree that it is impeccable in design and function both on PC and Android. Unfortunately, it’s a product that is out of reach for me so I don’t regularly use it, but for those who have the budget I would agree that Logos would be an amazing investment!
Gene, totally understand! We have some great cloud/subscription options available now that is much more budget friendly. Shoot me an email if your ever interested, I’d be happy to throw out some options for your! Great post, again. Thanks!
JoelsTravel1@gmail.com
Love Bible gateway. Use it all the time. I use crosswalk bible study tools and http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ for all kinds of great commentaries. I’m definitely checking out MySword. Thanks for the recommendation!
Karen, Bible Hub is amazing, too! I was just checking things out there and the amount of commentaries are astonishing, over 50, thanks for that link!
I hope MySword is beneficial for you, there are many more modules available at http://www.biblesupport.com/e-sword-downloads/category/26-mysword-modules/ and most of those have been ported from e-Sword. I’m going to add that link to the post.
Excellent Gene. I use Bible Hub and Pastor John MacAthur from Grace to You (GTY). I’m currently signed up for a bible study with Andrew Burns through Bible Gateway starting in January 2016. Always good to find other sites to draw resources from. Merry Christmas and GBY.
Thank you, Walter! I’m impressed with Bible Hub as well, especially their commentaries. Speaking of MacArthur, I noticed ESV Bible online has options to include MacArthur and Piper in the study notes. Merry Christmas!!
I love using Bible Gateway. Thanks for sharing these resources.
Thanks for checking these resources out Janelle! Agreed, Bible Gateway is one of the first tools I go to when I’m in my browser.
I love BibleGateway, Biblehub and sometimes I use eSWORD. I use Logos on my phone. Thanks Gene for sharing those links. I think I might add the Interlinear Scripture Analyzer this year.
Compliments of the Season.
Stopping by from Christian Blog Comment Exchange Community
Hi Grace, thanks for stopping by! Logos on the phone? Now that is cool!! I used eSword for sermon notes and prep, and WordSearch but I never quite fit into either one. If either had a valid Android app where I could use my tablet for delivering a message I would do that. Interlinear Scripture Analyzer is really amazing, I hope you enjoy that. Happy 2016!!
For those on a limited budget who are looking for a good (and free) resource related to study of scriptures in the original languages, check out the Blue Letter Bible website. https://www.blueletterbible.org It has a word-for-word online concordance for viewing text and meaning in the original language as well as other occurrences of the same word/meaning as they appear throughout scripture. It also includes a variety of audio and text commentaries, word and topical search tools, and daily devotionals. This little jewel has been around for ages, but I’m surprised that it is not as well known as some other resources. They also have a free phone app for Apple users.
VERY good tool, I agree! Some of the Bible reading plans I highlighted in the article “Here are Your Free Bible Reading Plans” (https://dev.genewhitehead.com/bible-reading-plans) are provided by the Blue Letter Bible. It’s a well made and well supported reading and study tool.
I like to use Bible Journal Artwork and for my Bible Application, I use Youversion.com’s Bible. I also love to paint or sing or even write poetry about what I have learned. I also love to watch the interpretation of Praise and Worship Dance teams. Watching their movements along with the words of the song being played really drives the Word home to my heart.
For just READING different translations (I prefer ESV, but would also use NIV, NRSB, CEB and NLT among others) OFFLINE for the most part, how would you compare the apps from Bible Gateway and MySword? I use e-Sword for study on PC and have been using Bible Gateway website in Chrome on smartphone, but it’s not quick to jump to different passages or switch translations so I’m looking to install a Bible app on my phone.
Hi Michael,
The biggest differences I see between MySword and Bible Gateway smartphone apps are Bible Gateway has many more translations readily available without any extra footwork, but Bible Gateway frequently requires a data connection. That could hinder some people, it did prevent me from using it when I lived in Eastern Europe because my data provision was limited.
MySword works completely offline and is extremely fast. You can apply TONS of additional resources in the form of modules, but it takes a little learning and work to do that. You can read more about modules on their website (https://www.mysword.info/download-mysword/3rd-party-modules) and the modules I’ve used have all come from a reputable website called Bible Support (http://www.biblesupport.com/). There you will also find huge numbers of e-Sword modules, many of which the users of Bible Support have converted into usable MySword modules.
Hope that helps, let me know if you run into any more questions!