Best Study Guide for Old Testament (2026): 4 Picks Compared

If you are leading a small group or teaching Old Testament lessons at home, the best study guide for old testament depends on how much text, commentary and structure you need. We compared each listing’s edition, page count, listed reading level and description, so you can match a guide to the reader and the setting.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Old Testament Made Easier by Ridges	9.6/10	Buy
2	Bible Workbook Volume 1 by Walker	9.5/10	Buy
3	Old Testament Study Guide by Valletta	9.5/10	Buy
4	Limping with God by Bird	9.3/10	Buy

1

Old Testament Made Easier by Ridges

David J. Ridges·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a reader who wants brief notes inside the verses; skip it if you want a short guide.

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Pros

• Brief notes within and between the verses, with bolding for teaching emphasis
• Complete boxed set of the third edition, dated October 4, 2021
• Quick help for specific verses or chapters, according to the description

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated, so check sample pages against your reader
• At 1784 pages, it is a long commitment for a reader who wants a short guide
• The listing says it is for use with a Come, Follow Me study

2

Bible Workbook Volume 1 by Walker

Catherine B Walker·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a high school or homeschool learner who wants fill-in-the-blank practice; skip it if you want commentary.

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Pros

• Takes the Old Testament in chronological order, with maps and diagrams, per the description
• Tear-off pages can be turned in when completed, according to the description
• Adaptable to high school, homeschool, college, Bible class or Sunday school settings

Cons

• The listing gives a publication date of June 1, 1951 and the edition as First, so check the printing
• The listing does not state whether an answer key is included
• Fill-in-the-blank format teaches through practice rather than explanation

3

Old Testament Study Guide by Valletta

Thomas R. Valletta·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a teacher or family group that wants full scripture text beside commentary; skip it if you want a short read.

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Pros

• Full scripture text for the chapters the description calls most salient, with commentary beside it
• Draws on General Authorities, Church magazines and manuals, and trusted scholars, per the description
• One 1360-page volume from Deseret Book Co, published October 30, 2021

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated in the listing
• The description is framed around Church curriculum, so readers outside that study may find it narrower
• At 1360 pages, it is a large book to read in short daily sessions

4

Limping with God by Bird

Chad Bird·9.3/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits a reader who wants one figure studied closely; skip it if you want the whole Old Testament.

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Pros

• Uses Jacob's life to frame following Jesus, as the description presents it
• A single 266-page volume with a July 18, 2022 publication date
• Narrower focus than a full study guide, which some readers will find easier to start

Cons

• It covers one figure, so it does not survey the whole Old Testament
• The description mentions a family rife with jealousy and backstabbing, and a man who fathers children with four women, so preview mature themes
• No reading age or grade level is stated in the listing

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More picks to compare

• Made Easier LDS Full Set by RidgesFor Latter-day Saint readers who want the full series, including added Old Testament books.Check on Amazon
• Step by Step Old Testament by BaileyFor adult groups: a 13-session member book with a separate Leader Guide available.Check on Amazon
• Women of the Old Testament by HuntFor individuals or small groups; a 12-session workbook study of Old Testament women.Check on Amazon
• Bible Characters Old Testament by SmithFor a quick chronological overview of key Old Testament figures in a 3-panel guide.Check on Amazon
• New Testament Study Guide by VallettaFor New Testament study, not Old Testament; skip it if this is your search.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Only one of the four picks states a level, the Bible Workbook’s high school level. The other three list no reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best study guide for old testament

Decide between a commentary and a workbook

A commentary such as the Old Testament Study Guide puts explanations beside the scripture text, which suits a teacher or family group. A workbook such as Bible Workbook Volume 1 asks the reader to fill in blanks and trace chronology, which suits a student in class or at home. For a steady home plan, browse homeschool curriculum lists.

Check the edition date and the reader’s level

Study books get updated, so check the publication date on the listing. The Bible Workbook lists June 1, 1951, while the Old Testament Made Easier boxed set lists a third edition dated October 4, 2021. Only the workbook states a level, so for the other picks, compare the sample pages with your reader. Readers who want the historical setting can also browse history and biography titles.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date: the Bible Workbook listing gives the edition as First and a date of June 1, 1951.
• The Bible Workbook is Book 1 of 2, so confirm the order if you want Volume 2 too.
• The Bible Workbook listing does not state whether an answer key is included, so check before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Old Testament guide should a beginner start with?

Start with the Old Testament Made Easier boxed set if you want brief notes inside the verses. Its listing gives 1784 pages and a publication date of October 4, 2021.

Does the Bible Workbook include an answer key?

Its listing does not state whether an answer key is included, so check the listing before buying. The other picks’ listings do not mention one either.

What reading age does the Old Testament Made Easier set suit?

The boxed set does not state a reading age. The LDS full set lists 18 years and up, so check that listing for a teen reader.

Still deciding? Our top pickOld Testament Made Easier by Ridges

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Related lists

See every Licensing and Certification list and all Test Prep lists.

More lists: study guides for high school, nonfiction books and reading guides.