Most serious writers will have a love for research, whether its basic in nature or more on the academic side.
Finding credible, free research tools or “jumping points” to others is difficult. Learning the ends and outs of the research sites I share below provide an excellent lesson in sourcing.
Sourcing is the activity of finding out “from where” something has originated. Jumping points are “leads” to other, more involved credible sources.
In today’s culture, there is so much clutter and misinformation. As a result, people lack the ability to source information correctly.
Many are more prone to believe a random YouTube or TikTok star who became famous overnight over understanding how to vet factual information from its place of origination. Research, regardless of intent, is always rooted in accuracy and/or detailed paper trails.
Learning how to properly research and document is a gamechanger for writers. It is one of the main reasons why I wrote my free course, “Prophetic Documenting.” If you are ready to go deeper in research and documenting for your projects, this course will help you get there.
Top Two Research Tools
The journalist in me loves sharing my favorite resources with others. (Check out my ultimate resource, “The Scribal Toolkit for Prophetic Scribes.)
I have been using the first two resources which I share below for more than 18 years faithfully. You’ll see why once you dig into them. The other two resources, I’ve delved into for the last decade. I can’t imagine my life of research as writer without these tools.
1. RefDesk. Consider this website a portal. It’s a one-stop-shop for credible, vetted sources on any and every topic you could ever need as a writer. It might not look like much upon first glance but it is everything.
RefDesk becomes a great place from with to “jump.”
I use it for national and international news – contrasting what’s reported between different countries on specific subjects. I use it to locate public records, monitor top headlines and locate new tools.
Everything is posted here that is of value to legitimate sources for information — without prejudice. This resource is free.
2. Blue Letter Bible. This is an evangelical focused bible search and study tool site. One of the reasons I enjoy it is because it is so scholarly in nature. In addition, the site is organized well.
The interface is clean. You can see the effort taken to bring the best historical and modern day resources for study together. The bible selections are limited to the best English literal translations.
It houses the translations from which our English translations were translated like the Septuagint and Vulgate. In addition, I can listen to the scriptures, search the Strong’s while reading, and view in red-letter.
There are so many bible reference materials and resources that I am at a loss to count them. This resource is free. (Check out the article, “5 Ways We Will See Prophetic Scribes Impact Culture”)
Final Recommendations
3. World History Encyclopedia. This site rightfully boasts as being the most read history encyclopedia in the world. Quite honestly, I’ve found it more helpful than some Bible encyclopedias as it relates to civilizations, artifacts and culture.
Stepping through it’s online doors is like walking through the largest library in your city. The possibilities for discovery are endless.
You should know, however, that there is a membership fee of $5 a month or $50 a year. As prophetic scribes, I believe we should be honored for the opportunity to invest and research in a ad/promotions free environment. Did I mention they have a podcast, video series, etc.? Well, I should have.
4. NetBible. I am at a loss for words to adequately describe the uniqueness of this resource. Basically, they take the concept of the parallel bible and place it on a webpage in a format that is intuitive. The parallels work together and move seemlessly from one chapter to the next.
In addition, when you place the English scripture next to the Greek or Hebrew in parallel form, the Greek or Hebrew text becomes contextual. Go give it a try… you will see what I mean. That “little part” eliminates the need to look up the Greek/Hebrew words or meaning because they are presented to you in real time.
I’ve only scratched the surface here. You go check it out! This resource is free.
Be Encouraged
Don’t let any of these resources intimidate you. Simply spending time with them helps you learn what they can do and how they can help.
My heart is always on taking people a little bit farther and deeper than they were before.
If you are already a researcher and just didn’t know about these amazing resources, dig in! I want you to like them as much as I do.
