We believe the Bible is God's inspired Word. It reveals who God is and how He is at work in our world, and our lives. The goal of reading and studying the Bible is to apply what it teaches to your life. Simply gaining more knowledge is not what it's all about. We want to be transformed by God's Spirit as we read and study the God's Word. The Bible is a big book. For many, it's dense and intimidating. Here's the good news: without an education or a college degree, every Christian can read the Bible with understanding and begin to apply it to their lives! From the beginning of our journey with Jesus we can grow in wisdom, and mature in our faith as we read the Bible. Even when we don't have a full understanding of everything in it, God's Word works!
God chose to speak to us using stories, rather than simply using lists of doctrines we should believe and rules we should follow. There is no passage in scripture where God simply says, "Hello everyone, I'm God. Here's several things I'd like for you to know about me: 1. I love you. 2. Sin is bad. 3. Everyone needs the salvation I provide...". We might wish God had done this, but in His wisdom He chose to reveal Himself to us using numerous authors who primarily told stories, employing several different genres of literature, over a period of about 1500 years! This means the Bible is history, literature, and theology all rolled into one. And, on top of all that, the Bible wasn't written to us in the 21st century. This means we have to learn to ask many questions as we learn to study God's Word. The Bible is as beautiful as it is complex. It is so by God's design. If you're learning to read and study God's Word you're not alone! We're here to help. This portion of our site is only the beginning. There is much, much more to come. We are so excited to walk with you as you journey with Jesus.
Begin reading and studying the Bible today! You will grow spiritually as you grow in your ability to interpret and apply God's Word.
God chose to speak to us using stories, rather than simply using lists of doctrines we should believe and rules we should follow. There is no passage in scripture where God simply says, "Hello everyone, I'm God. Here's several things I'd like for you to know about me: 1. I love you. 2. Sin is bad. 3. Everyone needs the salvation I provide...". We might wish God had done this, but in His wisdom He chose to reveal Himself to us using numerous authors who primarily told stories, employing several different genres of literature, over a period of about 1500 years! This means the Bible is history, literature, and theology all rolled into one. And, on top of all that, the Bible wasn't written to us in the 21st century. This means we have to learn to ask many questions as we learn to study God's Word. The Bible is as beautiful as it is complex. It is so by God's design. If you're learning to read and study God's Word you're not alone! We're here to help. This portion of our site is only the beginning. There is much, much more to come. We are so excited to walk with you as you journey with Jesus.
Begin reading and studying the Bible today! You will grow spiritually as you grow in your ability to interpret and apply God's Word.
Bible Study Resources for YOU
created by our Parkside team
While doing Bedhead Devos Pastor Jason gets up at 5:30 am to study God's Word, record a devotion from that morning's study and upload it. That's it! The idea was inspired by his wife's Grandpa, his spiritual hero. He got up at 4:00 am to study and write a devotion in a blog post.
Every Wednesday we provide a passage of scripture to study (typically the text from the previous Sunday's message). As we continue to develop this resource there will be a variety of methods available to help you learn to study God's Word and apply it to your life!
Additional Resources
A free digital library of devotional and Bible study curriculum.
The Bible Project
How to read the Bible.
If you want to read the Bible with more clarity we've got great news for you. It will take work, but it's easier than you may imagine. And we believe few tasks in life are more worth the effort.
An amazing organization called The Bible Project has created a series of videos to help you understand what the Bible is and how to read its many genres of literature. Watch the teaser video and then click the link and take this important step in learning to understand God's Word and apply it to your life.
An amazing organization called The Bible Project has created a series of videos to help you understand what the Bible is and how to read its many genres of literature. Watch the teaser video and then click the link and take this important step in learning to understand God's Word and apply it to your life.
Read Scripture
Read through the Bible in one year with videos from the Bible Project to guide you and give context.
Each week a new passage of scripture is available to study through Wednesdays in the Word. The goal is to learn a variety of ways to study God's Word and use them in your own devotional time as you grow in your faith.
Wednesdays in the Word has a new format!
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Do the "Quick Prep".
2. Read the scripture passage for this week.
3. Choose your study method from our growing library!
2. Read the scripture passage for this week.
3. Choose your study method from our growing library!
Study Bibles
One of the easiest ways to quickly learn about scriptures you're reading is to pick up a Bible with study notes.
ESV Study Bible
NLT Life Application Study Bible
Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
NIV / NRSV / NKJ
NIV / NRSV / NKJ
Everyday Commentaries
Commentaries are very helpful when you're ready to deepen our study. This category is for popular commentaries. More complex and academic ones are below.
Mark For Everyone
These books by renowned scholar, Tom Wright, are available for every book of the New Testament.
Isaiah For Everyone
These books by Old Testament scholar, John Goldingay, are available for every book of the Old Testament.
Reference Books
These resources are useful for a narrow study you might be doing. Typically, they would never be read cover-to-cover.
The Bible From 30,000 Feet
Provides readers with an overview of every book of the Bible.
The New Testament In Its World
A comprehensive look at the New Testament, and the world and culture it was written in.
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Offers a wealth of insight into the historical, chronological, archaeological, geographical, social, theological, and biographical aspects of the Bible.
Academic Commentaries
These resources are for when you're ready to dive deep into scripture. Typically, these are used by pastors and teachers, but they can be used by anyone.
New International Commentary on the New Testament— 1 Corinthians
This series is highly regarded, and is available for the whole New Testament.
New International Commentary on the Old Testament— 1 Samuel
This series is highly regarded, and is available for the whole Old Testament.
Expositor's Bible Commentary
Matthew & Mark
Matthew & Mark
This series has been recently revised, and is available for the whole New Testament.
Get your free membership today!
We provide a free membership to everyone at Parkside Church! All you have to do is contact the church and we will add you to our account. Then you'll get an email from Rightnow Media with simple instructions on setting up your personal account. After you set up your account don't forget to download the Rightnow Media mobile app on your tablet or smartphone.