Be A Berean

BE A BEREAN - How Searching the Scriptures Can Protect You from Error and Deepen Your Faith

June 2026

I only learned about this group of people a few years ago while digging deep into End Times and Prophecy scripture. A friend referred to me as a Berean… I had a blank look on my face. She was kind enough to give a brief explanation, but as with all such things, it caused me to dig deeper.

I was happy to see that, although I may not fully emulate a true Berean, I do try to dig into the Scriptures to ensure what I hear and read is true. Not in every case, of course, but whenever the Spirit prompts me. Over the years, we have worked out a process between us, and I trust Him implicitly.

So, what is a Berean?

Definition:

A “Berean Christian” is not a distinct denomination but rather a term for believers who emulate the open-mindedness and rigorous study of Scripture of the ancient Bereans in the Bible (Acts 17:13).

The Bereans were people from the city of Berea in Macedonia, northern Greece. Their location is mostly insignificant, but what they did is not. They were devoted to the Word of God and studied the scriptures diligently. According to the Berean Bible Society [https://bereanbiblesociety.org], the Bereans were known for their “respect and love for God’s Word, and out of that love and respect, they searched and studied it.”

So, when my friend called me a Berean, it was indeed a compliment. But, how did I come about to test what I hear and read?

My Journey

I had obviously not sought out to be a Berean, but my experience as an 18-year-old, in trusting what was told to me by leaders in our church, I lived with a lie, one that caused deep shame and fear, for thirteen years.

Only upon finding the truth… understanding it was a lie, did I begin to understand that we need to confirm such things in the Bible. God’s Word is truth. Even when we don’t know where to search, His Spirit guides us and reveals the truth to us.

So, I started testing when people told me, or what I read. It brought comfort to know that most of what I was told thereafter was true. Reading things, especially online and even in books, or listening to sermons on TV requires a great deal of ‘discernment’.

So, in my own small way, I became a BEREAN.

How Do I Go About Checking Against the Word of God?

What I use is a personal process I developed for myself, and I don’t believe there is one way to do this, nor any other. I will only share what I do.

I write down what I believe I’ve heard, and any scripture verses associated with it. Recording things, especially when I am listening, is easy for me because I always write down what pastors, teachers, etc., say. The Holy Spirit gives me nudges on things I need to pursue. Not that they are necessarily wrong, but that I need to understand them more deeply.

1. I go to my Bible and read the scripture passages involved, as well as the surrounding message. Yes, I make notes, as it can get confusing.

2. Using a study Bible, I next look to any commentary/teaching in my Bible on these passages. These resources often help to clarify what I’ve just read. (What Bibles I use will come later.)

3. Then, if I still need more information, I go to my external resources, mostly Bible commentaries by well-respected Christian teachers, authors, and leaders. (list to come)

4. I also use Bible dictionaries and Bible Concordances. Especially early on, when I wasn’t sure what I was even looking for. They provide great direction.

5. A few years ago… let’s say 10 or so, I started using online resources. So many are so very good, and they often contain, in one place, what I used to dig up in many books. So, they have helped speed up the process considerably. (I will provide a list.)

One WORD of WARNING: As many good resources as there are, there are even more questionable resources. I used trusted friends to help me with this… and have made sure I stay away from them, if at all possible. But, once again, the Holy Spirit prods me when I stumble onto some questionable ones. It all comes with time and practice.

My Bibles:

I’m sure that, like many of you, I use several Bibles, mostly because of the translations in various versions. It’s amazing how illuminating some may be.

  • Jesus Bible (NIV) - my number one source, the Bible I read on my Phone.

  • Dr. Jeremiah Study Bible, my number two source, and handheld. I still love to hold the Word of God.

  • NIV, NASB, and The WORD are my other regular sources, especially for their commentaries. Even the New King James sometimes.

  • Rarely do I use The Message, although there is something to be said for some of the more ‘modern language’ it applies, and for how it helps clarify.

  • For easy reference and jumping back and forth between all these Bible translations, I have two wonderful Apps on my Phone and computer. The one I use most often is called:

    • The OLIVE Tree (https://www.olivetree.com/bible/). I love the capacity this App has, and it now holds many of my personal articles as well, for my own quick and easy reference. NOTE: this App is free, but it often offers expensive in-app purchases, which I ignore. They offer so many free resources that there is no need to make any purchase.

    • The second App that I love is YouVersion (https://www.youversion.com/bible-app). Also allows me to easily jump between translations, including ones I don’t have in OLIVE Tree, since it would be an in-app purchase, which, as I said, I don’t generally do.

  • Finally, I just came across the MacArthur App (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skyraan.macarthurbiblecommentary&hl=en_CA&pli=10), and it looks very good and powerful, but I’ve only just found it, so I cannot say much.

  • I also have a modern-day Jewish Bible, which is often eye-opening and helps me learn some common Hebrew words.

External Commentaries

So, over the years, I’ve collected many hardcover commentaries that I depended on for years. But as you can imagine, they take up a lot of room and require a large desk before you, when doing research. I used to have a large desk, but we’ve downsized, and that proves to be a problem. Nonetheless, I will tell you the ones I regularly use:

  • Eerdman’s Handbook (Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aQXqNc9]k) to the Bible - my very first resource, to the point that the book is falling apart. Purchased at a used Bible Book store, and very inexpensive at the time. (NOTE: In my footnotes, I provide Amazon links, just in case someone needs them.)

  • MacArthur Study Bible [Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hRV3mk5] - note: very expensive, but again, I used it regularly. Now I have it in my OLIVE Tree app. Yes, I had to pay for it, but it was only about $17 on sale.

  • Easton’s Bible Dictionary and Strong’s Dictionary - both free on OLIVE Tree

  • Unger’s Bible Dictionary [ Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bX8DYnH] - again, heavily used in the early years. I bought this one at a used book store for $2!

  • Bible Concordances - found in my Bibles. Incredibly useful, but today with the ability to search online, it's not as useful as it used to be. However, I must again warn about online sources and to check them, especially the supplied Bible verses. I’ve not encountered any problems thus far, but one never knows. Yes, I have made errors in referencing a verse now and then… but kind readers have always pointed them out, and corrections are made.

    • I recommend Strong’s Bible Concordance [ Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gvRARFQ]. Again, I purchased mine from a second-hand Bible store.

Online Resources I Trust

I would love to see people’s input on these, especially if they’ve found any problems with them.

  • Blue Letter Bible: (https://www.blueletterbible.org/ ) I love this one, but it does have a bit of a learning curve. Anything I mentioned above can most likely be found here, and much, much more.

  • Bible Hub: (https://biblehub.com/niv/ ) Another excellent resource, not as good as Blue Letter Bible in my opinion, but easier to use at the start.

  • GotQuestions: (ps://www.gotquestions.org )Again, very easy-to-understand commentaries. I use it regularly, but please do be aware of what you are reading.

Okay, I hope this helps anyone wanting to start digging deeper into God’s Word… and becoming more of a BEREAN.

Blessings,

Jana

Using Words to Bring Light.

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