Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Well it's not free in a way. It will cost you time, which is far more precious than money. What money? If you are using a computer, there is almost not any outlay at all.
The Bible is online in many translations--might I say, all the ones you could ever use. The complete concordance is online in all these versions, which includes a dictionary of each word in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Besides single words you can look up combinations of words, which can be very helpful.
The number of times a word is used in the Bible pops up automatically. I remember when I saw that David is mentioned more times than Jesus, which includes the times when Jesus mentions David.
Imagine an ad that says something like:
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I needed a reference to the phrase "but now", and when I referenced it, I became aware of how these two words--how they are used--are a study by themselves. Let me demonstrate.
It is said by many preachers of elitest corporate churches, that the Kingdom of Jesus is not of this world. Oh how lofty a concept this is! Perhaps it should be said, piously, with uplifted eyes, to show that any kingdom associated with Jesus must be strictly "spiritual". After all Jesus would not stoop to bother with a physical, real, actual world! And this is said by men who dream at night about real estate.
The phrase "not of this world" is lifted from John 18:36.
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
The world Jesus speaks of is an age, yet to come. The concordance reveals this. Just as we speak of the "world of George Washington", meaning his era, not that he lived on another planet.
Just two words "but now", but they reveal so much.
I imagine a father, ignoring the TV set and studying at studying God's Word. His son comes into the room. "Hey, Dad, it's time for the Super Bowl!" His father says, "I'd rather be looking at my Free Bible Study course. Care to join me?"
I love studyding the word of God on my own. I also like the fact that I have a computer to help me with looking up different words and phrases. I do not need a show or a preacher telling little jokes and side stories to get my attention, just like most good speakers do. I am out of the "bubble" of feeling the need to go to church. Once I woke up from being under the "spell" of going to church, once a week I might add, I have really learned and become closer to Jesus. It is so easy to go to church once a week, hear a sermon, and then go home and like I used to, probably forget what I heard and not study my Bible. I feel so free!!! My dear uncle once said, "going to church is like similar to going to watch a movie at the theater. Sitting next to strangers that you will never see again or recognize at the grocery store." I had the experience at every church I ever attended.Might as well stay home and learn on my own on my own time. Plus, I won't be nagged about tithing to the church so the church can spend they money "their" way. I would rather spend the money my way. God has made me trustee of what he has given me and I will put the money he gives me to good use. Not on some new parking lot or building fun. Yes, church can be good for people to come and learn about Jesus, but, then I feel it is time to move on and let newcomers come in for a while and then they too should move on. And so it goes.To each his own, but going to church on Sunday, is not a good way to study the Bible.
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