1. How to Train with Your Sword
Sword of the Spirit
How to Train
with Your Sword

2. Becoming Proficient With the Word
It takes time
It takes work both individually and in community

3. 7 Concepts for Reading the Bible
Treat it as a story
Identify with a character
Identify and read different genres appropriately

4. 7 Concepts for Reading the Bible
Select a translation that speaks to you
Read as an act of devotion
Read both alone and with others
Resist the urge to sanitize the Bible

5. Studying the Bible Don’t intermingle Bible study with Bible reading
Have more than one Study Bible to reference
Balance familiarity with memorization

6. Good Verses to Memorize
Proverbs 3:5-6
2 Corinthians 13:14
Romans 12:1-2
John 14:6
Micah 6:8
Hebrews 4:12
Matthew 28:18-20

7. Translation Word for Word (Formal Equivalence)
Thought for Thought (Dynamic Equivalence)
Inclusive Language
Note: all translators seek a level literalness

8. NASB ESV KJV NIV NLT Word-for-Word Paraphrase Thought-for-Thought AMP
NKJV
MSG
NASB
ESV
KJV
NIV
NLT

9. What is Inclusive Language?
English Spanish
brothers = hermanos
sisters = hermanas
siblings = hermanos

11. New International Version
Most Common and Popular translation (1978)
Balance of word-for-word and thought-for-thought
Reading Grade Level: 7
A modern translation acceptable to many denominations

13. King James Version Completed in 1611, current edition 1769
Word-for-word
Reading Grade Level: 12
Protestant response to inaccuracies in earlier English translations

15. English Standard Version
Completed in 2001
Word-for-word
Reading Grade Level: 8
A modern, readable, accurate translation in the tradition of Tyndale and KJV

17. New Living Translation
Completed in 1996, revised in 2004
Thought-for-Thought
Reading Grade Level: 6
An easy-to-read modern version

19. New American Standard Bible
Completed in 1971, revised in 1995
Word-for-word
Reading Grade Level: 11
Most literal translation

20. Study Bibles Study Bibles are important
Every Study Bible has some bias (as do translations)
Have more than one for balance
Should include notes, introductions to books, cross references, dictionary, concordance