Russ walks through a practical example from Matthew 6 to show how study Bible tools can deepen personal Bible reading. He focuses on the Lord’s Prayer, using notes, footnotes, and cross references to unpack prayer, temptation, and translation details.

Inside the episode:

• In this episode, Russ explains how notes, footnotes, and cross references each serve a different purpose in a study Bible.
• He uses Matthew 6:9 to show how a study Bible note frames the Lord’s Prayer as a model for prayer, not just a memorized passage.
• Russ breaks the prayer into categories: adoration, God’s kingdom and will, daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil.
• He distinguishes footnotes from commentary notes, showing how footnotes often give alternate translations or clarify difficult wording.
• He uses a footnote on “daily bread” to demonstrate how translation choices can reveal meaning and why he reads footnotes carefully.
• Russ explains cross references as a way to trace themes across Scripture, comparing Matthew 6:13 with John 17:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and James 1:13.
• He highlights John 17 as Jesus’ prayer for believers, connecting the Lord’s Prayer to Christ’s intercession.
• He uses 2 Thessalonians 3:3 to emphasize God’s faithfulness to strengthen and guard believers from evil.
• He uses James 1:13 to stress that temptation does not come from God and should not be blamed on Him.
• Russ closes by discussing a footnote about the doxology, explaining why some newer translations omit it while older manuscripts and traditional versions include it in the notes.