24-6 – My Favorite Computer and Online Study Tools
Jeff Marchand, Shoreview, MN — The Bible software that I use is a combination of both Logos and Sword Searcher. I use these programs multiple times throughout the week. They both are user-friendly and provide access to tremendous study tools. Blue Letter Bible is a source that I frequent daily, and I use Evernote to capture any seed thoughts that I receive through prayer, Bible reading, outside sources, etc. When it comes time to organize my thoughts, I use MS Word and create an outline format. This outline will include Bible verses that I will copy/paste from the above-mentioned Bible programs.
I always use PowerPoint to create a graphical background to the sermon that I am preaching. I will, however, save the file as a jpg so as not to compromise the content when I import it into the projection program that our church uses (Proclaim).
Mark Harrelson, West Mobile, AL — I do not use a computer Bible study program at present. When I switched from one operating system to the other, e-Sword wasn’t available in that format. When I used e-Sword, I felt that it favorably compared to PC Study Bible and was mostly a free tool. I understand that Logos has an excellent platform, but I have never used it. I do, however, use the free version of Blue Letter Bible for iPhone use. It has a good search feature and has my favorite translations. I use Bible Gateway extensively for search and multiple versions of Scripture. For interlinear reference, I use Bible Hub.
Lonnie Samora, Arvada, CO — I find PC Study Bible to be an invaluable tool for personal study and especially for preparing messages. It is so much easier to prepare a message when you can pop in and out of several lexicons and translations. At times, I find commentaries and Bible dictionaries to be very helpful as well. I have grown to depend so much on my PC Study Bible; I can’t imagine not having it. I am not much of a tech geek so I do not really use PowerPoint at all in my messages or Bible studies. We project the title and the scripture verses; that’s enough.
Joseph Miller, Magee, MS — I use e-Sword; it’s my only Bible program simply because for the most part it is free to download. I used it daily while evangelizing, and I now use it three to four times per week. It’s very user friendly. I like how you can arrange the screens as you wish, and being able to maximize any portion of the screen makes it very easy to copy and paste scripture, definitions of words, or portions of a commentary into my notes.
I use BibleGateway.com for a Bible version that isn’t on E-sword. It’s easy to access and to search. I use my computer to prepare my notes, then I convert them to PDF and transfer them to my Kindle. When I take my Kindle to the pulpit, I have all my scriptures right in my notes. To me, it helps me stay in the flow, and I don’t have to turn pages in my Bible to find every scripture I’ve included in my notes. My Bible, however, isn’t far away because there are moments when the Lord will quicken a scripture to me that isn’t in my notes.
Daniel Criss, Uniontown, OH — I have three computer programs I use: Power Bible CD, QuickVerse, and Master Christian Library. I like QuickVerse because it’s easier to find a scripture I have in my mind than any other program I use, and I like the way it copies and pastes. Power Bible CD is my real study tool, though. The version I have has 15 Bible versions, Strong’s, many commentaries, lexicons, and much more. I’ve been using both of these programs for at least 15 years, and I rarely build a sermon without them. I can’t say I use them every day, but it’s very difficult to just read my Bible only without opening Power Bible and doing a little research.
I don’t use any of the typical websites for Bible studies. I do occasionally use Chabad.org to do research if I can’t find something in my Torah, Tanach, or Jewish History books. I also use a Bible app from YouVersion on my iPad. I like the way you can bookmark and save notes in that app.
Daniel Walter, Chester, VA — I use PC Study Bible, Logos, and WORDsearch quite regularly each week. I use Bible Gateway and Bible Study Tools for research while preparing handwritten notes. I then transfer my handwritten notes by typing them in on my laptop for memory’s sake. I rarely ever PowerPoint a sermon but usually do when it comes to Bible studies.
Luis Rodriguez, Daytona Beach, FL — I just started using Olive Tree Bible app on my iPad, but I still value the traditional leather-bound Bible and a pen. I use Olive Tree every day. It seems to have quite a bit of features. I also use Bible Gateway and Google, and I have just started to prepare notes on my iPad, and I am preparing to use PowerPoints soon as well.
Mark Lashbrook, Algonquin, IL — I do not use a computer Bible study program; however, I use Olive Tree on my Ipad. I use Internet sites exclusively on my laptop. I use blueletterbible.org several times a week, and I use PowerPoints once every few months as needed. I prepare my notes and my sermons on my computer or my Ipad.
David Bethel, Mineola, TX — I used to use PC Study Bible and liked it very much. I now use Logos. I use it daily for the many references and cross references that are available, as well as the ability to search many different subjects and the daily devotions it offers. I also use a computer and an iPad. I would love PowerPoint but do not use it at present.
