Looking for resources to answer tough questions? Thinking about tackling a book of the Bible verse by verse? Tired of getting to confusing scriptures and skipping over them? Here are some of my favorite tools to go deeper…

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

This is an incredible resource that provides tons of scripture and commentary on topics like election, atonement, angels, heaven, ect. I’ve compiled the full list of topics here if you’re looking for something in particular to study. It is a LARGE book – just carry it around in public if you want people to think you’re really holy. It can be used as a reference for those unanswerable questions – whether someone’s asking you or you’re doing the asking. Usually for me it’s both. You can use the index and find things like “unforgivable sin”. Grudem also has a condensed version of this book called Bible Doctrine (which is tempting because it isn’t gigantic) but it can be frustrating because it’s not very thorough. I say get the full version and use it for life!

The Gospel of John – A Commentary by Dale Bruner

This commentary will blow your mind. Insightful, thoughtful, and genuine. Dale Bruner’s humility and love for scripture shines through making this such an enjoyable read. Every time I’m feeling apathetic about reading my Bible, I crack this baby open and I’m reminded of the riches that are found there. Warning: It’s definitely still a commentary (i.e. big, long, and wordy), not a feel-good easy read devotional.

ESV Study Bible

This is my favorite study Bible. Great commentary that is easy to understand but also scholarly. It has lots of additional features (maps, charts, timelines) for further study like most study Bibles, but because of the simplicity of the design I actually find myself using them unlike other study Bibles I’ve used. It also focuses on God’s plan for salvation and finding the gospel throughout the entire Bible. It makes a great gift for those eager to go to the next place in their study of scripture.

Amplified Bible

This Bible is an easy way to see the scripture in the original languages that the Bible was written without needing to know Greek or Hebrew. You simply look up the verse and it gives you a very long version of the verse with variations of the original language. For example, here is John 3:16 in the Amplified version: For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Galatians by Martin Luther

As a chronic over-achiever who is too hard on myself, this commentary changed my life. Luther’s insights on the freedom we have in Christ are deeply personal to him, and it shows in these pages. If you are wanting to study Galatians verse by verse, this commentary is a great tool. In fact, if you’ve never bought a commentary before, and you are interested in studying a particular book of the Bible, this Crossway Classic Commentaries Series is excellent. It includes authors like John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, John Owen, ect.