1. Study Bible
Of all things Christian, there's probably nothing more important than the Bible, and studying it is essential. If you know me at all, you know I love to study God's Word. There are hundreds of different ways to study the Bible, but my favorite method is using a study Bible. At the tip of my top 10 Bibles list, I've placed my two favorite study Bibles, the ESV Study Bible and the Life Application Study Bible. Both are first-rate Bibles, giving you the tools you need to understand God's Word as you read and apply that truth to your day-to-day life.More »
2. Bible Translation
Almost as important as having a good study Bible, is having an easy-to-understand, clear, accurate and reliable language translation of the Scriptures. Of the most popular Bible translations today, my favorites (in order) are the New Living Translation (easy to read and understand), New International Version (my pastor teaches from this one), New King James Version (faithful to the original texts), and English Standard Version (careful scholarship and respect for Masoretic text). I do think it's important to study different Bible versions, comparing literal, word for word translations to thought for thought translations. As I result, I try to study a new or different translation each year.More »
3. Bible Reading Plan
To keep me on track and reading through God's Word all year, I like to follow a Bible reading plan. I've used different ones, but my favorite is still The Victory Bible Reading Plan, compiled by James McKeever, Ph.D., and published by Omega Publications. This plan is arranged chronologically, so it helps my brain process the sequence of events by reading them in the order they actually happened. It also lets me read a little from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and a Psalm or a Proverb every day.More »
4. No-Bleed Bible Underlining Kit
Also one of my favorite Christian things for Bible study is this nifty Bible underlining kit from G.T. Luscombe (GTL). The gel ink will not fade or bleed through the pages of your Bible, and the pens come in five colors: fluorescent yellow, blue, pink, green, plus black for taking notes. Included in the kit is an underlining ruler imprinted with the books of the Bible.More »
5. Bible Software
Logos Bible Software is a little slice of heaven for pastors, teachers, seminary students, or anyone serious about Bible study. I currently use the Scholar's Library edition which comes with a rather hefty price tag of $629.95, but realize, the package includes more than $6000 in Bibles and books if you were to purchase them all in print. Logos offers lower-priced packages starting at $149.95 for the Christian Home edition, and some even broader collections with the Scholar's Library Gold edition weighing in at $1379.95. Check out my full review of Logos Bible Software 3 Scholar's Library plus learn about the updates and enhancements in Logos Bible Software 4.More »
6. Mobile Bible Software
As technology advances, so do my favorite Christian things. In the last year or so, instead of toting my heavy-weight study Bible to church, I've begun to take advantage of a fantastic mobile Bible software app for iPhone called Olive Tree BibleReader. Not only is it convenient, lightweight, impossible to forget, and easy to use—the best part—it's free! I no longer fumble to find passages when my pastor decides to zip around the Bible from verse to verse. Navigation through book, chapter and verse is almost instantaneous. Check out this comprehensive review of Olive Tree BibleReader for iPhone and iPod Touch.More »
7. Online Bible Search and Study Tools
If you don't have the funds to invest in expensive Bible software, the Internet offers lots of powerful resources and Bible search tools. I've put together a list of my favorites, with BibleGateway leading the pack. When I'm writing or researching an article, I almost always have BibleGateway open in a window. It's completely user-friendly and easy to navigate. You can search by passage, keyword or topic. You can access multiple versions of the Bible, including many foreign language translations. The site also has a wealth of other Bible study resources such as an audio Bible, commentaries, eBooks, dictionaries and study tools.More »
8. Christian Radio
My husband and I fell in love with K-LOVE Christian radio station when living in another state. After moving, we were sad to discover that we couldn't get K-LOVE in our current listening area. I was thrilled, then, to find K-LOVE's iPhone app while searching the App Store for "free Christian iPhone apps." Now with our mobile devices, we can listen to positive, uplifting, commercial-free music that glorifies Jesus Christ, anytime, anywhere.More »
9. Christian Music Artists
Okay. I have to admit, this one was tough. There are so many amazing Christian artists and bands to choose from today. It wasn't easy, but I narrowed it down to two. For worship music, Chris Tomlin wins my highest esteem for his incredibly moving lyrics and awe-inspiring melodies. According to Christian Music Guide Kim Jones, Tomlin stands out as the "most often sung contemporary artist in U.S. congregations." Apparently, scores of worship leaders like him, too. As for Christian bands, I put Third Day at the top of my chart. With six gold albums, four Grammy Awards, and 24 of the GMA's Dove Awards to their credit, I'm not the group's only admirer.More »
10. Christian Authors
I found it equally challenging to pick a single-favorite Christian writer. So, after long consideration two names rose to the top of my bookcase: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Both men are best-known and loved for their children's fantasy books, most famous being The Chronicles of Narnia seven-book series by C.S. Lewis and The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. These literary classics, all published by 1955, still appeal just as strongly today to millions of children and adults worldwide.More »