Using BIBLE

REFERENCE
Tools OVERVIEW FIND UNDERSTAND

A guide for deepening

your Bible Study with
reference resources
First Things First The best reference library in the world and the
most intense study can never be a substitute
for simply reading the Bible, listening to it, and
reflecting on it, thus allowing the Holy Spirit to
illuminate your understanding.
So Many When you walk into a bookstore with a wide selection of
Bible reference tools, the sheer number and variety can be
Reference overwhelming—especially when you’re not sure how to

Books – even start deciding which ones you need.

What’s the Zondervan’s reference tools are designated by three easy

categories to help you understand how each one helps you
Difference? study the Bible.

Overview
The Overview category is designed for resources that give
you the essentials for Bible study. These resources give
you the big picture of Scripture in one place. It includes
The Zondervan NIV Atlas to the Bible, The Essential Bible
Companion, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth,
and more.

Find
The Find category is designed for resources that help you
locate things in the text. These resources vary from topical
lists to detailed collections of every verse in Scripture. It
includes resources like The Bible Verse Finder, All the
Women of the Bible, and Strongest NIV Exhaustive
Concordance of the Bible.

Understand
The Understand category is designed for the resources
that help you dig deeply into Scripture and comprehend
difficult passages. It includes resources like The Zondervan
Bible Dictionary, In the Steps of Jesus, The NIV Application
Commentary series and more.
One Example of Using Reference
Tools with your Study Bible

A BASIC WORD STUDY OF “KINGDOM”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom
of heaven is like a mustard seed”
– Matt. 13:31a (NIV)

Begin by reading an Overview resource to get the “bird’s eye view”

of how “kingdom” is used in Scripture. On page 549 of Halley’s
Bible Handbook, Deluxe Ed. we learn that the word “kingdom”
appears over 40 times in the book of Matthew.
 If you have multiple translations of the Bible, look for common
renderings of “kingdom” and note any unique renderings. NASB, KJV, NIV
and TNIV Bibles are each rich translations available from Zondervan.

Next, use a reference tool from the Find category to see how many
times “kingdom” appears in the Bible. On page 625 of the Strongest NIV
Exhaustive Concordance we learn that “kingdom” appears in 302 other
verses and can easily see where to look in the Bible to find them.

Then use a reference tool from the Understand category to learn the
original definition and origin of “kingdom” On pages 379-380 Mounce’s
Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
we learn that “kingdom” is an overarching theme for understanding
foundational ideas of the whole Bible.

So Why Now that we know the full, original meaning of

“kingdom” we can apply it to our lives by asking
Does This
“How should I live as a member of the kingdom
Matter? of God?”
Going Going Deeper with Reference
Listed below are the top twenty resources in the Zondervan reference

Deeper library. You can grow in any of the three areas and add them at a
beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. These resources are
beneficial for small group study, church classes, introducing your
family to Bible study, or personal Bible study. For more information on
these resources, visit www.zondervan.com/reference

Overview Find
Beginner: Beginner:
The Bible for Blockheads Zondervan NIV Bible Verse Finder
• ISBN 9780310273882 • ISBN 9780310292050

The Essential Bible Companion Intermediate:

• ISBN 9780310266624 Nave’s Topical Bible
• ISBN 9780310579502
Intermediate:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth Advanced:
• ISBN 9780310246046 The Strongest NIV Exhaustive
Concordance
How to Read the Bible Book by Book • ISBN 9780310262855
• ISBN 9780310211181

Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods

• ISBN 9780310273004

Zondervan Handbook to the Bible

• ISBN 9780310262718

Advanced:
Zondervan NIV Atlas of the Bible
• ISBN 9780310251606
Understand
Beginner: Intermediate:
Amazing Discoveries That Unlock the Bible Mounce’s Complete Expository
• ISBN 9780310257998 Dictionary of Old and New
Testament Words
How We Got the Bible • ISBN 9780310248781
• ISBN 9780310253068
In the Steps of Jesus
Incredible Mysteries of the Bible • ISBN 9780310276470
• ISBN 9780310255949
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds
Zondervan Bible Commentary: One Volume Commentary—Old Testament
Illustrated Edition • ISBN 9780310255727
• ISBN 9780310262640
Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible
Zondervan Bible Dictionary • ISBN 9780310241362
• ISBN 9780310293040
Advanced:
NIV Application Commentary—Mark
• ISBN 9780310493501