5 of the Best Websites for Everyday Christians to Understand the Bible

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Do you ever struggle to understand the Bible? Are you interested in learning how God's Word can be applied to your life? Have you seen other people get a lot out of Scripture and you, too, want to grasp how the Bible is personally relevant? Would you like to find resources that will help, but don't know which websites are reliable?

As a Christian for nearly four decades, I have had the privilege of learning from many wonderful Bible teachers through sources like commentary books, sermons, and group Bible studies. Today, there is a plethora of websites providing invaluable insight, tips, and study materials. But, which websites are reliable?

If you are asking this question, I want to applaud your wisdom. You realize that not all teachers are in line with the Bible. While knowing this is essential to finding Scriptural sources, figuring out who can be trusted is difficult when you don't have a foundational understanding of God's Word.

This article will help by giving you five websites I have found to be consistent with the Bible.

In thinking about writing this article, my mind immediately went to how often people pick apart Christian teachers. One thing I've learned is that when you look for something wrong in people, you will find it because we are all imperfect. Understanding this human dynamic will protect you from being stripped of the opportunity to receive wise teachings that can increase your faith, boost your ability to enjoy the abundant life God has for you, and equip you with powerfully inspirational insights that you can use and share.

To keep yourself from throwing the baby out with the bath water and, thereby miss out on all you can learn from good teachers, here are a couple of Bible verses to apply when you read, see, or hear something that doesn't seem right, or when a Christian leader is exposed after committing a serious offense.

Philippians 1:15-18 shows us that when people preach the gospel with selfish motives, we don't need to let their behavior malign what they're saying if their words are biblically accurate.

"Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 instructs us to test what we hear to confirm if it is True.

"Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (ESV)

Acts 17:11 tells us to examine the Scriptures to check for accuracy of teachings we receive.

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (ESV)

Here are my top five go-to websites when I am researching or trying to understand something in the Bible.

BibleProject

Offering short animated books of the Bible summary videos , BibleProject is one of the best websites for new and old Christians alike. Their podcast is a conversation between the founders (college buddies) Tim Mackie and Jon Collins as they discuss the brief history and siginificance that each book has in our lives. In addition, articles, Bible reading plans, and even free classes are available. Coming across as a regular guy, Collins brings creativity and relatability. Mackie combines his quirkiness, knowledge, education (a degree in Theology, the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies), and aura of a skateboarder while being his authentic self as he teaches invaluable lessons. Be forewarned that his brilliance can be overwhelming; I often find myself listening to a sermon (about 1-hour in length!) and temporarily walking away about 20 minutes into it because my brain can't take in any more at the moment.

Got Questions

With nearly 10,000 reader-friendly articles and listener-friendly audios on a myriad of Scriptural topics (as well as several other formats like a podcast and app of which I've never heard or used), Got Questions is a phenomenal resource. Wanting to make biblical teaching available to everyone, they launched several other websites, including one for children and another for teens. Articles are are written by numerous unnamed people, which is intentional because they want users to focus on the message rather than the messenger.

C.S. Lewis Institute

Offering podcasts, a Spiritual Checkup tool that asks a series of questions and provides suggestions to help you grow, a monthly thematic compilation of various topics, and online courses, as well as a magazine and books, this website is a helpful resource. It is especially valuable for anyone trying to understand their faith and effectively share it with unbelievers. C.S. Lewis, atheist turned Christian scholar, is renowned for writing faith-inspired novels like The Chronicles of Narnia, and apologetics like Mere Christianity.

Desiring God

Numerous articles, podcasts, books, and sermons are at your fingertips when you visit the Desiring God website. Founded by Theologian John Piper, its mission is to help people grasp the truth that we were made to be intimately connected God, and that we glorify God most through being fully gratified in Him. If you have a tendency to get caught up in religious legalism, it will take time to process the reality that God wants you to enjoy Him and the abundant life He gives. Like Mackie from the Bible Project, Piper's genius can be head-spinning; but his passionate, full-body speaking style has an uncanny way of keeping people's attention (though with him, too, I usually watch sermons in smaller chunks). I recommend starting by listening to their short daily devotionals or reading articles of interest available on a wide array of topics.

The Gospel Coalition

With a variety of podcasts, Bible reading daily devotionals, an extensive line of Bible study materials, resources in the area of Christian Apologetics, and a searchable directory to help you find a church in your area, The Gospel Coalition has a lot to offer. They began when theologians D.A. Carson and Tim Keller partnered with pastors and other influential leaders committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though the council members typically represent the ideology of Reformed protestantism, their commitment is not to promote a particular denomination but to provide materials aligned with biblical truths for personal instruction and transformation.

The Bottom Line

A close relationship with God is the foundation of life. Reading and applying God's Word is essential for strengthening your faith. Through the websites in this article, you can be equipped with insight as well as instruction on how to study the Bible on your own.

There are many other great websites that might be a good fit for you. Before delving in, it's important to ensure a website's teachings are biblically accurate by reading the Statement of Faith page. You will know it is Scriptural if the following core beliefs of the Christian faith are listed:

There is only One God and He is three-in-one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We are saved by grace, not works, only through the death (for the penalty for our sins) and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Comment below if you have questions or would like to share a website you've found personally helpful. Oh, and if you're looking for a website where you can read or listen to the Bible, and compare versions, check out BibleGateway. May God bless you with a growing intimacy with Him as you read His Word.

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