Assembly Required
Choose from our library of tools to begin building.
We’ve created a library of tools and resources to help you construct a life that is strong, steadfast, and stable in Christ. The LORD Jesus Christ teaches us that kind of life is only realized when it’s built on the rock of His Word (see Matthew 7:24-27). As the Irish proverb says, “Castles aren’t built in a day,” so it is also true that biblical literacy doesn’t happen overnight. Building takes time. And you don’t want a sandcastle. You want a strong fortress that will withstand any storm. If you want to study God’s Word and become biblically literate, you can. This is a great place to start, and you needn’t be overwhelmed. It simply requires the proper tools and resources.
Our goal is to provide you as many resources as possible free of charge so you can begin to study the Word of God immediately without any hindrance or financial obligation. We fully endorse the following resources and ministries without reservation. Choose what you need from the very best bibles, apps, and online libraries available. Aside from the options for purchase, most of the resources below are provided by ministries funded through partnership and love offerings. If you find that you are blessed by them, and would like to support them as well, please visit their websites. Everything you need to get started is right here. If you need help finding what you need, please contact us. We are more than happy to help you.
–The links below are not affiliate links.–
SPECIAL NOTE
For students using our Stepping Stones Bible Studies
please download e-Sword here (referenced below)
for immediate access to the Hebrew & Greek lexicon(s) numbering system via KJV.
STEP #1
Choose Your Bible
STEP #2
Choose Your App Library
STEP #3
Choose Your Reading Plan
Bibles
STEP #1 — The bible you choose is your most critical tool. You should be able to trust it irrevocably. Whenever possible we suggest choosing a version that will serve you interchangeably for both reading and study, providing you consistency. We recommend the following for their accuracy in both translation and transliteration as word-for-word versions taken from the original texts and tongues. These are the very best. They have stood the test of time, are highly acclaimed, and will serve you well for both reading and study. Listings are in order of preference from advanced to basic. Free versions are available online. To sample readings of each version prior to purchasing please visit Bible Gateway.
We recommend Cambridge bibles for their renown excellence in time-honored craftsmanship, durability, and heirloom quality. They are the very finest bibles available, having no rivals.
Authorized King James Version
Suggested for the Advanced or Seasoned Reader
Reading Level: Collegiate
English: Archaic Jacobean (Old English)*
Appropriate for Study: Yes, with intentional design (concordance, dictionary, cross-references, indexing, and maps)
The Authorized King James Version of 1611 (KJV) is the most time-trusted version of the English Bible available. For centuries it has been renown among scholars worldwide for its accuracy and literary precision, being meticulously translated word-for-word from the original Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, and Chaldean texts. To this day it remains the standard.
*Reliable variations in the King James Version are available for readers who prefer updated or modern English (King James Version of 1987, and the New King James Version of 1982, which is referenced below). The King James Version of 1987 (standard) is a public domain work in the United States of America. The Authorized King James Version of 1611 is copyrighted by Cambridge University Press in Cambridge, England with rights and permissions granted by the Crown’s Patentee.
Erin personally uses the Cambridge Concord bible for both reading and study, available for purchase via the link below (pictured here). See “Binding Options” for price-points.
Copyright © 1611 Cambridge University Press
Geneva
Suggested for the Advanced or Seasoned Reader
Reading Level: Collegiate
English: Archaic Jacobean (Old English)
Appropriate for Study: Yes, with intentional design (cross-references, indexing, and commentary notes)
The Geneva Bible predates the King James Version by more than half a century with its first printing in 1560, and was the bible used by the Puritans. Its conception was during the Protestant Reformation which experienced intense and radical persecution. This word-for-word translation was written in Geneva, Switzerland in a combined effort by Protestant reformers who escaped the tyrannical reign of “Bloody Mary”. Its translation was from the original Greek and Hebrew texts, containing extensive marginal notes by early reformers, making it the most unique English translation of its time. Through the Geneva, the Holy Bible freely reached the masses, very literally turning the religious world upside down and threatening the royal monarchy. As the hallmark of reform, its final printing was in 1599, and was soon succeeded by the Authorized King James in 1611. However noble its achievement, its literary style and language were rough, having contained many phonetically misspelled words and other lexical errors which have been corrected in this latest release. After centuries of replacement by the Authorized King James, this timeless and very special version has finally reappeared for the masses in these last days, fully preserved with its original notes.
An absolute treasure for any serious bible student, which Erin considers mandatory. View the links below for both the original and restored versions.
Copyright © 2006 Tolle Lege Press
New American Standard Bible
Suggested for the Intermediate or Experienced Reader
Reading Level: 10 – 12th grade (high school)
English: Contemporary
Appropriate for Study: Yes, with intentional design (cross-references, concordance, and maps)
The New American Standard Bible was released in 1995 with the goal of easier reading and greater comprehension while preserving the accuracy of the original American Standard Version of 1901, which rivaled the King James Version as a literal translation. The focus was on rendering grammar and terminology in contemporary English, which is believed to accomplish an even greater accuracy. That goal was attained by giving special attention to verb tenses and updating archaic words. The New American Standard Bible has been heralded as “the most accurate translation”. This version maintains a fidelity to the original texts in a manner that is a literal. It translates what the manuscripts actually say, instead of what the translator believes them to mean.
Erin believes this bible belongs on the shelf of any serious bible student. It is the one version that rivals the King James in accuracy, which is why we’ve given it such priority on our list. It ranks incredibly high. If you should make this your choice, rest assured you’ll have no regrets.
Copyright © 1995 The Lockman Foundation
New King James Version
Suggested for the Intermediate or Experienced Reader
Reading Level: 10 – 12th grade (high school)
English: Modern
Appropriate for Study: Yes, with intentional design (cross-references, concordance, and maps)
The New King James Version was released in 1982 with the goal of preserving the purity of the King James Version while updating its word and phrase order. The simple objective was modernization. The New King James can indeed be trusted. It’s a wonderful solution for those who earnestly hold to the purity of the King James, as the translators have maintained, yet require a modern rendering of the English language.
Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson Publishers
Lexham English Bible
Suggested for the Intermediate or Experienced Reader
Reading Level: 10 – 12th grade (high school)
English: Contemporary
Appropriate for Study: Yes, with intentional design (wide variety of lexical aids, commentaries, dictionaries, and other resources)
The Lexham English Bible (LEB) is a new word-for-word translation of the English Bible, recently released in 2010-2011. The Lexham is unique in that it shows the reader how translation occurred by revealing the intricate translation process in a word-for-word, step-by-step format. Its readability in comparison to the King James or Geneva is considerably easier, using modern English words and literary style. As a new English translation it provides both accuracy and readability, making it a friendly and desirable version for both study and daily reading. Its uniqueness is marked by the revelation of the translation process to the reader, giving insight to the Greek and Hebrew like never before.
Copyright © 2010 Logos
The Contemporary English Version
Suggested for Children, Beginners, the Non-native English speaker, and the Inexperienced or Simple Reader
Reading Level: 4th grade (elementary)
English: Basic
Appropriate for Study: Not recommended
If you are new to the Word of God or are a beginner in the faith who prefers an easier read the CEV would be an excellent choice for you. The CEV was a massive and lengthy project of noble cause, being borne of more than 100 people worldwide from divergent backgrounds with a singular goal: making the Word of God understandable to all who read it, including grade school children. It was designed to read at the fourth grade reading level. It took more than 10 years to complete. Despite it’s word-for-word translation, it’s objective was readability instead of accuracy. We’ve chosen to list it here, although it’s use would be limited. We believe the CEV is an accurate version that could potentially serve the young, those who prefer an easier reading level, the inexperienced reader, beginners in the faith, the underprivileged, the non-native English speaker, and the otherwise illiterate in their endeavor to read God’s Word without compromising the integrity of the scriptures. However, we do not recommend it for study.
Copyright © 2000 American Bible Society
Apps & Downloads for Digital Libraries
STEP #2 — Gone are the days of cumbersome books that have broken your bank and your back. These application libraries are the best the industry has to offer, and contain a plethora of aids required to properly mine the scriptures, do intensive research, and perform daily study. The following apps are FREE, being complete with various bible versions, dictionaries, concordances, commentaries, lexical aids, maps, note-taking, cross-references, and more — all at your fingertips in one comprehensive application you can download or use online.
E-sword
I would like to introduce you to E-sword: the Sword of the Lord with an Electronic Edge, a free bible study and resource application you may download on your smartphone or PC. E-sword is fully funded by donations (no monetizations, ads, or paid versions). E-sword provides an incredible library of bible versions, lexicons, dictionaries and commentaries with opportunities for journaling and note-taking. It’s sophistication and user-friendly programming offers everything the serious student needs. I’ve personally used this reliable app for years, and it has provided me deep intense study as well as quick and easy finds. It gives the student a wonderful spread of resources that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars. An incredible gift from Rick Meyers.
Copyright © Rick Meyers
Faithlife Study Bible
Faithlife Study Bible (FSB) is a bible application you may download on your smartphone and PC, offering a variety of free and paid versions. Faithlife has developed the most advanced study bible the world has to offer. It inherently provides the Lexham English Bible as its default study bible, offering numerous other bible versions and study tools the student may download free of charge. It also offers an exhaustive online library, providing thousands of literary works the student may purchase and download. Faithlife Study Bible is unique, providing students an opportunity to connect with others online in groups specific to their denomination. Faithlife Study Bible provides innumerable resources, both free and purchased, with a layering of notes, maps, commentaries and devotionals. It’s all here. It’s truly a unique and invaluable resource, delivering exceptional study materials in exhaustive quantities with a viable opportunity to connect with others online.
Copyright © Faithlife
Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway is a monetized comprehensive online bible resource and application you can download on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device (apps may have ads). For laptop and PC users, it is available online via the web. This online resource is intended to be comprehensive with respect to the bible versions available today, listing over 100 in various languages worldwide. It provides the user an intensive ability to compare these versions both in content and translation, and provides an internal search engine for keywords or passages. Most of their resources are free of charge. However, they do offer a store. What sets Bible Gateway apart from other apps is their audio library. For those who favor listening to the bible over reading it, look no further. Their many audio bible versions are free. They also offer devotionals and reading plans via subscription. However, they do not offer study aids and guides (e.g. lexical aids, commentaries, dictionaries, etc).
Copyright © The Zondervan Corporation
Official King James Bible Online
If you are a believer who is faithful to the King James Version (such as myself) this website is definitely one you’ll want to bookmark. Although it’s not an app, it’s an incredibly valuable resource which has received worldwide acclaim. It is exclusively ‘all things King James’. It offers exhaustive information on both King James versions: the full Authorized Version of 1611 and the standard version of 1987. It also includes the Apocrypha which is an invaluable resource for those who wish to supplement their study with these historical texts. The website hosts a powerful search engine for words and phrases with a full directory of bible chapters and verses for ease of navigation and referencing. It also offers supplemental resources such as comprehensive historical information, commentaries, info-graphs, downloads, and integrative widgets. In addition, this website provides study tools, prayer and devotional resources, and an open discussion forum for students. No registration is needed. The resources offered are free. The website is funded by donations and is conservatively monetized.
Copyright © King James Bible Online
Devotionals & Reading Plans
STEP #3 — Devotions and reading plans are essentials to keeping your relationship with God on solid ground. These are what will keep your spirit watered and fed. Finding the right ones can be hard. They are a dime a dozen. We’ve listed three of the very best ever produced, being time tested and tried. Take a look, take your pick, and modify your personal plans with the available options provided by their respective authors — all free of charge.
The One Year Bible Online
The One Year Bible Online provides numerous one year reading plans in chronological and topical formats. They also offer discussion forums. Choose your own today by downloading and printing.
Copyright © One Year Bible Online (a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers)
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Our Daily Bread Ministries (previously RBC Ministries) offers timeless bible resources, books, and devotionals free of charge. Their ministry, which spans the globe, can be visited online or you may sign up for mailings. Their monthly classic devotional, Our Daily Bread, is read by millions worldwide, providing daily nourishment for the spirit and soul of the believer. It is comprehensive, combining a devotional and bible reading plan which includes: a key scripture, a related short story, a memorable takeaway, a short prayer, and a daily bible reading (one-year plan) — all in short one-page segments that take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete. I have read this devotional for years, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a daily devotional that is simple, yet poignant and powerful.
Copyright © Our Daily Bread Ministries
Torah Resource
Torah Resource is a Messianic ministry that honors Yeshua (Jesus) and upholds the Torah within the Messianic movement. The Torah is the foundational bedrock of our Judeo-Christian faith. For thousands of years the Jews have practiced reading the Torah in an annual cyclic pattern. If you would like to read Torah portions daily, you can sign up and download their readings in a user-friendly pdf format. We strongly recommend Torah readings for all believers as part of their daily scriptural diet.
Copyright © Torah Resource
Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway provides free subscriptions directly to your email inbox. They offer numerous reading plan options, listed categorically, which walk believers through the Word of God in one year. They also offer a broad spectrum of devotionals for both men and women by various Christian authors and from different versions of the Bible.
Copyright © The Zondervan Corporation
