Sometimes you stumble upon a resource that is incredibly helpful for life, ministry, and almost every other area of life. For me, that resource is Logos Bible Software.

Let me give you a brief history. I’ve tried Bible software over the years. I have tried several different kinds. At one point, I owned a comprehensive piece of software that came on multiple CDs (remember those days?). This software was so large that I couldn’t install all of the features on my computer. I simply didn’t have the room. As a result, I wasn’t able to use it as effectively as I could.

A couple of years ago, I decided to try Logos. Version 4 was the current edition at that point, and I had several conversations with others who used it. Everyone I talked to loved it. But it was expensive. I hesitated to spend a ton of money that I may or may not utilize very well.

Later, my brother bought and raved about Logos, when version 5 came out. I decided to pull the trigger and buy it. But I went for the basic level, the bronze level. This was the cheapest level that they had available. I used this software here and there, and the companion app for the iPad and iPhone as well.

About a year ago, Logos 6 was released, and I upgraded to it, without much changing in my usage. Until I went to the North American Christian Convention last month.

The NACC offered a course on how to use Logos 6 effectively, and it was only five bucks. I decided to buy a ticket and go. I expected a forty-five minute overview. What I got was a four hour training session, and access to the Logos staff for the next few days.

And let me tell you, I am sold on this software. It is extremely powerful and intuitive. The ability it gives me to study the Bible is unparalleled. I absolutely love this software.

While at the NACC, I decided to upgrade my library from the bronze level to the gold level, which is really the basic level that has access to all the features Logos has to offer. Many of those amazing features are limited or unavailable at the bronze or silver levels.

I want to give you three of the top features and three reasons why I think this software can change the way I study for personal use and sermon preparation.

Top Three Features of Logos 6

• Visual Tools – So many of the resources in Logos 6 are visually oriented. For example, the Psalm Explorer allows you to filter all 150 Psalms by author, genre, theme or by several other ways. And it’s laid out in a very visual format allowing you to see how it all relates to each other. With all of the graphics, images, maps, and other visual tools available, this puts a lot of things in perspective as you study.
• Search Feature – This may be the most powerful aspect of Logos 6. A word or a phrase, or a passage or reference can be searched in every resource in the library within seconds. You can even filter the search results to show only commentaries, or sermon collections, or more.
• The Library – At the gold level, I have hundreds of resources at my fingertips. From commentaries, to dictionaries, to atlases, to devotionals, there are tons of ways to study. Plus, with access to ancient language resources, the early church fathers, and more, I have tons of tools within reach. These tools would be cost prohibitive to purchase almost any other way. And the bigger the Logos library you have, the more resources you have available to use.

Three Way Logos 6 Will Change The Way I Study

• Personal Study – I have been using the Logos app for a couple of years for my personal Bible study. With my notes and highlights syncing to all my devices, this has been a great tool for keeping my thoughts in front of me whether I am on my iPad or on my laptop. And with the ability to search a word or phrase to dig into the original meaning, as compared to various different interpretations, I can really comprehend a passage easily.
• Sermon Preparation – Logos 6 comes with several powerful guides. The Passage Guide allows me to study Scripture in detail, and search my library for resources that may apply. The Exegetical Guide allows me to dig into the original language of the text like never before. And the Sermon Starter Guide gives me tools that help in building my messages to the finished products.
• Devotional Use – Logos 6 allows me the ability to keep track of Bible reading lists, prayer lists, devotional readings and more. The way it allows me to simply read and pray and learn and grow is incredible, whether I dig deep into a passage or just read it on a devotional level to stay plugged into Jesus. Connecting all the elements of my spiritual life together in one place is great.

These are just a few of the ways that I will utilize this powerful Bible software. The four hours of training I received didn’t give me sufficient experience to master Logos 6, but it put me well on my way. I am considering taking this education to the next level eventually, by taking more classes that they offer, as the opportunity occurs.

In the meantime, use, use and more use will give me the proficiency that will help me understand Logos 6 better than I ever have. With what I have already learned and experienced, I have discovered that Logos 6 is well worth the expense. And it will pay back exponentially the more I use it.

I highly recommend that you give this software a try. As you discover just how powerful it really is, you will agree, I’m sure.

Also, by way of full disclosure, I am not receiving any compensation from Logos for this post. I simply enjoy the software immensely, and encourage you to try it out as well.

Question: Do you use Logos? If so, what do you love about it? If not, what other resources do you use? You can leave a comment by clicking here.