The Teaching Ministry Of Olan Butler – Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church

Here is a good article on how and why behind choosing a study bible:

What is a study Bible and what are the reasons to purchasing one? A study Bible is a Bible that has various footnotes and other study helps to explain verses of scripture or shed more light on a certain word that is used. Study bibles do not explain an entire passage or book, that is reserved for Bible commentaries, but do help when reading through the Bible and a simple question comes to mind.

Perhaps you’ve been reading through the Bible and saw that something measured ten cubits. You wondered what a cubit was but didn’t know where to look it up or you didn’t have the time. If you are reading from your study Bible, you can look beneath the passage at the footnote and find that a cubit is approximately 18 inches. Suddenly you have a greater understanding of the passage because you can picture the size of an object when before you had no clue.

There are a number of things that should be factored when selecting a Bible. Probably the first decision that needs to be made is for what Bible version are you looking. There are numerous different translations of the Bible available and each one has their own strengths and weaknesses.

After you select which version you are looking for, you should decide how you will use your Bible. Most people want just a general study Bible such as the Life Application Study Bible or Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible. However your options go far beyond general studies if you desire. There are now study Bibles for children, teens, men, and women. Each Bible has notes that are meant to specifically help the group it is focused on.

Or you may prefer study notes by a particular person. There are numerous study Bibles with notes written all by one person. Some of the popular versions are ones written by John MacArthur, Charles Ryrie, and C.I. Scofield.

Finally you must choose whether you want a hardback Bible or a leather bound Bible. Your cover options may be more limited with a study Bible as these Bibles tend to be bigger than ones without the notes. Many general study Bibles also are available in large print and some are offering a smaller personal size but you should look out for tiny print in these. Depending on the publisher and the overall popularity of the Bible, some Bibles may only be available in hardcover. A limited number of study Bibles are available in paperback as well.

After you have an idea of what you are looking for start shopping for the best study Bible prices. With a bit of searching you will find a Bible that not only meets your needs but also your budget.

Pastor Mike has spent years studying the Bible and operates http://www.studybiblesshop.com

He operates several websites but lately has been writing on evangelism at http://www.christianevangelism.net

Click here to learn more about the MacArthur study bible.

For any serious student of the bible, that individual needs at least one good study bible. A study bible gives you several tools in one volume that equips you to dig deeper into the text.
My favorite is the MacArthur Study Bible

The MacArthur Study Bible has:

• Time lines
• Dozens of color maps
• Helpful drawings and maps throughout the Bible
• Introductions to each book
• Cross references

A great many tools to help make your  study come alive. You do not want to stop you collection of tools at just a study bible but you do want to have it as one of the important tools in daily bibly study.