New To Logos

Good day to all. Like my heading says. I am new with logos and Bible Study. Can you people that have been using the program for a long time please give some tips. I have the starter of Logos 10 and then I got the pillar commentary series when it was on sale. And then I got the factbook expansion. Was the factbook the right move or should one start with different resources. I will really appreciate it if you could give some tips on what works good for starters and how a starter like me should focus on growing your library in to. Should one get commentarys or should one rather invest in expansions like factbook and libary expansions and if so what type of libary expansions. Please also keep in mind I am using Logos Mobile.

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Mike Binks

I am new with logos and Bible Study.

Greetings Lukas and welcome to the forums. Once you have checked the help file this should probably be your next call when you find something you don't understand how to do.

As far as the forums go please note that there are number of different forums, this one for the mobile apps (iOS and android). There is another for operational problems with the desktop installations (MacOS and Windows). Among the others you will find a 'General' forum for issues concerning resources and methods. It really helps to choose the right forum for your questions and it is considered impolite to past a query to more than one forum before giving a short time for a response to appear.

In answer to your question. It really depends on what you want to do with Logos.

General Bible Study (daily devotions)
Bible Study to follow a course with an institution
Preparation to attend a class
Preparation to lead a class
Sermon and Worship preparation.
etc

Give us a clue and we will overwhelm you with advice. ;-)

Let me know if you would like me to arrange to have this discussion moved to the General Forum which would be more appropriate for your question.

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250558#Comment_1250558

Good day Mike, and thank you for your reply. I am truly sorry about post in the wrong department. Everything is new to me and slowly I am getting the hang of everything. you are most welcome to move the post to the right department.

I think I have a better Idee of the function of the app With all the videos on the website. But for now I just want to learn what the Bible really says and how I can live in better in todays time. I am in South Africa and we have limited resources here and I Was never thought that there is all these things we can use to understand the Bible. So now I found logos and then there is all these things it can do and all those resources you can get. I just don‘t where to start. So for now it will be just for personal use and to understand it better and the history of it. But my dream is to study Theology when the time is right. So what I do now on Logos must also be of benefit towards my goal in the study at a seminary in South Africa. But it all comes to this for me. Everything I do must lead to know my Maker better and improve my relationship with Jesus to higher level and to be a better follower of Christ.
I hope this helps you.

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250565#Comment_1250565

I am truly sorry about post in the wrong department

Don't concern yourself, it is of little consequence, just a hint about efficency

I just don‘t where to start. So for now it will be just for personal use and to understand it better and the history of it.

Make sure that you have some modern translations of the bible. I would recommend the English Standard Version, New International Version and the New Living Translation as a good start.

You could add to these the study notes if funds run that far. The Faithlife Study Bible is also a great resource and will point you in the direction of resources that you might be interested in.

After that you might like to look at some commentaries perhaps 'The Bible Speaks Today' and/or 'New Testament for Everyone' and 'Old Testament for Everyone'

I regularly use the Africa Bible Commentary.

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250565#Comment_1250565

I am truly sorry about post in the wrong department

Don't worry Lukas...Mike is right...it's not a sin to post in the wrong forum. But you will be more likely to get answers if you post in the relevant one.

As a beginner, I was completely overwhelmed with a lack of information just like you. I think Mike asked a good question, which you've answered here.

Allow me to give you a bit of advice and a caution. First, the caution. Don't get caught up in advertising hype, which is a dangerous thing here in the forums. Most of the forum dwellers (like me!) are bibliophiles and pretty much anything with pages offers a lustful attraction to us. In other words, you might not get objective reviews of books here.

The advice...go slow, stay in your budget, and don't operate on the assumption that more is better. Start with the bible of your choice. Don't settle for one of the free ones, but get the one you read most often. (Otherwise you may get frustrated with the freebie.) The Factbook expansion was a good choice, as the Factbook tool is one of the best ways to get you into various types of bible study. But remember, the Factbook relies on other purchased resources (books) so it will not be a full-blown resource at the beginning. But it will be useful.

I also recommend you find commentaries that you like and buy those as needed. Beware the Collections temptation. When I was new here, I bought a fair number of collections because, "the individual book price is so low!" Then I ended up with (say) three hundred books that I never, ever used and two or three that I did, which means the *functional* individual book price was very high. I learned my lesson the hard way.

If you use original languages, Logos is very good at handling those. Greek and Hebrew resources are usually more expensive, but if you use either or both of those languages, the associated resources will be very helpful and often-used.

You will discover other areas of interest as you go. Be patient and seek out books/resources that you will use and will help you on your journey toward seminary. There are several annual sales that you can wait for and often save some money...we are in one right now ("March Madness," named for the college basketball tournament in the US). There are also big sales at other holidays and events...perhaps someone who has a good list might post it here for your benefit.

Finally, ask lots of questions here...they are free. And find some accessible training so you don't get frustrated with the software. It can be daunting. Right now, Shawn Grubb of Logos is doing free webinars. In fact, about 45 minutes from when I'm writing this (9:19 AM US, which I believe is 5:19PM in your area), he's doing a webinar on using Logos in Seminary, which you might find useful. Here's a link to sign up if you'd like-

Seminary Learning for Everyone with Logos!

There have been other participants from SA in recent webinars. Even if you can't log on live, go ahead and register and you'll get an email of a recording of the webinar.

Best of luck as you head toward your goals!

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250574#Comment_1250574

Hi Mike thank you for your response. I have the logos starter pack and that has most of the translations, i just purchased extra the esv study Bible, NIV study Bible of BST, NLT study Bible and the Macarther NKJV Study Bible. Then I also have the factbook expansion pack with the Pillar New testament commentary on a payment plan. But like I said I don’t know if the factbook expansion pack is the way to start. Then I have a few physical books that is not part of the logos library but I like using Logos more than physical books. I also have the 5 first books on the old and new testament of The New International commentary on the plan. And then when the funds will allow it I was looking at the Bible project expansion on books only which Logos could offer me @ $275 then I get the complete NAC and BST series and a few other books. So I am looking into that option. But I don‘t know where ones focus should be on adding to Logos. There are also some books from Alfred Edersheim I am looking at but still not sure where to start growing and if i have the right recourses.

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250584#Comment_1250584

Sounds like you have a good basis Lukas.

Now start using the resources you have and only think about expanding when you NEED something more.

Beware of expanding when you WANT something more that way leads to penury.

If you know you NEED something but are unsure of what then the general forum will provide you with many suggestions for you to pray about.

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250574#Comment_1250574

Good day Mike regarding the Faithlife study Bible. I see there are a lot of resources I don’t have. Should we have all the resources it has a lock on.

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250583#Comment_1250583

Doc B thank you for all the advice it is highly appreciate, but can you please explain more in depth about to collection. Are you saying that one should you buy ex NAC the book of Genesis only when one is studying there. If you can please explain more in detail.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250705#Comment_1250705

Should we have all the resources it has a lock on.

Not necessarily

When the FSB was created the authors linked to articles in a number of external resources. The lock indicates that those resources are not present in your library.

If you did purchase them the lock would disappear and you would be able to access the linked article

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250712#Comment_1250712

Graham I do understand that, but what I want to know is if one should get all the resources they are mentioning. As I see they don't work with a compete series. Example in Genesis they Favor the NAC and WBC in Matthew they use The Anchor Yale Commentary and not NAC and I have not came across the WBC also in Matthew as yet. So it seems its better to not get a full series.

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250712#Comment_1250712

Mike Binks

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250705#Comment_1250705

Good day Mike regarding the Faithlife study Bible. I see there are a lot of resources I don’t have. Should we have all the resources it has a lock on.

Note Graham response and make a note of which resources you often run against a lock. This might give you an idea of which resources you might find useful rather than virtual shelf fillers.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250583#Comment_1250583

Start with the bible of your choice. Don't settle for one of the free ones, but get the one you read most often. (Otherwise you may get frustrated with the freebie.)

One of my favorite English Bibles is the freebie Lexham English Bible (LEB), which was designed to be used next to original language Bibles. Chapter & verse numbers were added many centuries after original writing, which has a number of alignment issues with original language thoughts. My preference for Bible reading is hiding chapter & verse numbers. LEB shows Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long sentence, as is Colossians 1:9-20. Verse 6 in Philippians 4 is in the middle of a sentence, which LEB has an inserted verb plus changed a colon to a period after phrase "The Lord is near." that is similar to many translations:

The Lexham English Bible">
⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. ⁵Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near. ⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things. ⁹And the things which you have learned and received and heard about and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Php 4:4–9.

Desktop screen shot shows many visual filters: Logos Greek Morphology & Inductive

My favorite Logos & Verbum desktop feature is Visual Filter Highlighting so I can "see" verbal expression range of original language verbs in English.

Logos Wiki => Extended Tips for Highlighting and Visual Filters includes:

Examples of visual filters

The Bible Software Users Companion Pack (2 vols.) has grammatical concept explanations with exegetical examples. English verbs have primary focus of time: past, present, OR future. Hebrew verbs have primary kind of action focus: happened/happening/will happen, imperative, volitional, incomplete, completed, ... (with no sense of time: contextual words provide time insight). Greek verbs primarily express kind of action with secondary aspect of time. Caveat: when translating Hebrew verbs into Greek OR English, any time aspect is a human belief interpretation (could reflect Hebrew contextual words).

FWIW: Revelation 4:8 phrase "the one who was and the one who is and the one who is coming!” translates God's most Holy Name יהוה

Keep Smiling [:)]

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250707#Comment_1250707

Are you saying that one should you buy ex NAC the book of Genesis only when one is studying there

Planning ahead and your finances will dictate.

But yes, it is cheaper to buy the NAC Genesis at full price, singly, than buying the whole set and then not using half the volumes you bought.

If you will actually use all the volumes in a collection (or most), then buying the collection may be better if your finances allow.

I personally (my opinion only) do not find any valid reason for going into debt on this stuff. I'll get flamed for that, but I don't care. I've been in debt and I'm now out and have no desire to re-enter that slavery. Again, my opinion only.

And beware marketing hype. I've said many times that Logos marketers write a lot of checks their programmers can't cash. Don't get in over your head so much you have buyer's remorse.

Lukas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250949#Comment_1250949

Doc B thank you for the info. Just to clarify, there is this bestcommentries website that show the best 3 commentaries per book and then best commentaries based on series. So based on that for example the NAC OLD Testament did good but the new did not. So does one look at it according to the website and don’t get the NAC complete but only the OLD testement and use a different set on NEW Testament that did better than the NAC or should one when using a series you stick to the complete series.

Based on what I have seen on the Old the top 3/4 is the NICOT, WBC and then its between the NAC/TOTC

On New Testament is between NICNT,PNTC,NIGNT,WBC the NAC/TNTC does not come close to these.

Based on your or any one’s experienc, does one go the route on above mentioned or does one go the complete OLD/New testament series.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1251016#Comment_1251016

Thread => Creating a New Series of Commentaries has desktop screen shots showing suggestions.

Thankful for finances that allowed purchase of Logos 10 Ultimate on 10/10/2022 (reminded me of John 10:10) for forum discussions.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Doc B

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1251016#Comment_1251016

does one look at it according to the website

Don't trust any "best" website implicitly. Those are "best" according to someone's opinion (which may not match your own), or they are "best" because those listed paid a fee to be on the list. The lists can be helpful, but are not dogmatically correct.

Find a list from someone you trust, and hopefully someone from within the theological/worldview perspective you share. Ask your pastor or other believers what they like. Get more info before buying off a "best" list. In addition, before buying, find a commentary type/style you like. A commentary used by someone preparing bible studies, Sunday School lessons, or small group discussions will differ from a commentary used by a pastor to prepare a sermon, and both will differ from a commentary used by a critical scholar who works primarily in the ancient languages.

For example, I like the NIGNT commentaries as I do know a little Greek, but I wouldn't touch the OT version because I'm not knowledgeable enough of Hebrew. (OK, Dad-joke time...courtesy of RC Sproul..."I know a little Greek. He's my tailor. I took him some pants to repair. He said, "Euripides?" I said yes. He said, "Imenides." " LOL, but I digress.

One of the really nifty things about Logos is, you can customize a series. So when you buy commentaries from different series, you can link them so your favorites will follow you all through the bible.

xnman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1251041#Comment_1251041

You've gotten some good advice for guys on this thread...

I suggest one more piece of advice..... Logos is a tool to "help" with bible study. All the books, features and resources you buy, are to help that tool accomplish the goal you have in studying the bible. I suggest that you don't buy anything you think will deter you in keeping your goal.

I wish you well.

inho....... [8-|]