Getting Started

When you walk into a bookstore with a wide selection of Bible reference tools, the sheer number and variety can be overwhelming—especially when you're not sure how to even start deciding which ones you need.

Here are some general suggestions.  

Don't Be Intimidated

There are a lot of options, but making a decision becomes much simpler when you realize that most of the options fall into just a few categories which comprise your Core Reference Library.

Realize that you're not making a lifetime decision. All you need to do is find which reference tools meet your needs for now.

Determine Your Needs

Ask yourself how you plan to use these tools. Do you plan to use them for group study? For systematic personal study? For finding the answer to an occasional question about the Bible?

Begin with the basics. If you're fairly new to using reference tools, start with the basics—a Study Bible and Core Library. Expand your reference library as the need arises.

Consider physical appearance. How a book looks and "feels" may also be a consideration in your choice. Does it have a pleasant page design rather than a cluttered one? A nice binding or jacket? This is not the most important factor, of course, but it may influence whether you use the book or let it gather dust on your shelf.

Choose reference books that are designed for use with the Bible translation you use. For example, if you use the NIV, you need NIV-based reference books.

Get Recommendations

Ask several people you respect for recommendations. But remember that not everyone thinks or studies in the same way. Look for tools that answer the kinds of questions you are likely to ask and for ones that are organized in a way that makes sense to you.

Look at what's available and compare different books* and software within each category before you decide. Read the back of the book and the flaps, but also make sure the inside lives up to the claims on the cover. Skim the table of contents and spend some time browsing in the book.  If you can, test out software on an in-store demo copy.

*Zondervan publishes various types of reference works, but we encourage you to look at all that's available.