Embracing technology as the pastor: Use Bibleworks to explore cross references

Bible cross reference lists are lists of Bible verses that are similar to a specific Bible verse.

Cross reference lists are immensely popular and are contained in most major study Bibles. 

Such lists are popular because any serious student of the Bible knows that the best way to interpret Scripture is by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

However, looking up the different texts can be tedious if you're working with hard copies of the lists and the Bible.  You have to drag out the list and then look up the individual texts, patiently turning the pages of your Bible.

Whereas cross reference lists in a program like Bibleworks make life so much easier.  Bibleworks has a cross references tab (called 'X-Refs') that when in focus will automatically load the reference list for your focus verse, and then display the list with the full text of each reference in your preferred Bible version.  No more flipping of pages or even clicking of a link, the cross references are there immediately for you to use.

But Bibleworks goes a step further.  The software has a 'Master' cross reference list which compiles all the cross references from many popular reference lists into one list.  The references are then sorted into two sections, 'frequently cited refs' and 'less frequently cited refs'.  Thus at the top of the list you will always see the most popular cross reference, which I usually find is the most helpful text I could look at in relation to my focus verse.

The important work of using cross references has never been so easy.