"I don't want to pay a lot of money for some software," the pastor told me, "and then never use it!" I was in his office, discussing Bible study tools. "How can I be sure to get what I need?"

This question, or something very much like it, is repeated by Bible students, pastors, church librarians and other church leaders every day. The personal computer has opened up resources and methods of Bible study that until only recently required a major theological library, not to mention weeks of time for research. But many people purchase a piece of software that ends up unused, or used only rarely and in limited ways.

It doesn't need to be this way. The computer does, indeed, offer many new opportunities in Bible study, and by taking some care in selecting your software, along with some appropriate steps to use it in the way that suits you, you can avoid spending more money than you need to, and yet reap the benefits.

As you shop for software, remember this: The software is a tool. It is only a tool. Software won't make you a more diligent Bible student. It won't instantly give you skills you don't already possess. You'll have to learn how to make use of it.

Don't be intimidated because this is something different and unfamiliar that you're buying. Your Bible software is simply a number of books to add to your library, along with a tool to help you find and organize information that comes from those books. You could do everything your Bible software will do by hand with books and 3x5 cards, provided you just had a few lifetimes and abundant patience! That means that you can understand the process, and you can make the tool work for you.

So as you consider this purchase, do the following.

1. Think about how you do Bible study.

The tools you use now in your Bible study are likely to be much the same ones you are going to use when you are working with Bible software.

Make a list of the tools you commonly would use during a day when you are studying the Bible most intensely. Here are some possible items: Bible dictionaries, handbooks, commentaries, concordances, Bible translations (list each version) and Biblical languages tools.

Next, add to this list items that you know you have consulted in the last month or year.

Then, prioritize your list from most important to least important.

2. Think of the things you would like to do in Bible study, but don't have time.

One of the primary uses for Bible software is to aid in word studies and concordance work. There are many additions to simple use of the concordance provided by the Bible study software, including cross-referencing words from the concordance to Biblical languages tools, Bible dictionaries and commentaries.

Ask yourself whether you have wanted to do a serious word study somewhere, but found the task too time consuming with paper concordance and Bible. If you did, you will find that task much easier with just about any software. But there are other things you may have wanted to do. Your Bible software probably will suggest new avenues of study once you are comfortable with it, but first you are going to be simply making the things you already do easier.

3. Think about how you use the computer.

I have found that I still tend to read the Bible from print books, but I do research using my Bible study software. I also often read commentaries in print rather than on the computer screen. This means that the collection of commentaries included with my software receives less use, and I continue to use my print editions.

As examples, my "Theological Dictionary of the New Testament" is now collecting dust, while most of my commentary volumes still see regular use. My six or seven most consulted Bible versions are still seeing use in their print versions, but I have added some new versions to my list of those I regularly consult, and I use the computer for those I consult less frequently.

4. Look at a range of Bible software before you choose.

There is a lot of good material out there. Look at company Web sites, and feel free to e-mail or call their sales staff and ask questions. Your software is a large investment; they have an interest in answering questions.

Here's where you use your lists and thoughts from the first three steps.

Examine the list of resources, and compare it to your list. Don't be impressed by the number of resources. Almost all Bible study software includes many resources that are public domain and very inexpensive. Many of these will remain unused. I don't criticize these companies for including these resources, since most of these resources are good-for somebody. But the key to a tool is how useful it is to you. You selected the books in your library one at a time. You probably browsed through the bookstore shelves and put many good books back on the shelf before you selected the one you really wanted. You will want to choose software and a package of resources that closely matches the lists you made.

Note here that your software will consist of two parts-the software tool itself that searches and connects your resources and presents the results to you, and the package of resources. Normally, there will be several different packages of the same software, depending on the library you choose. It is usually cheaper to purchase the best set of resources when you first purchase the package. Here we are talking about the resources included. You want to make sure that all of your highest-priority tools are included in the package.

Once you have found the tools that you need, consider the ease of use of the software. Here you may find your choice more difficult. Software packages range from completely free packages available on the Internet to very expensive ones available only through purchase. You may want to try your local retailer to see if they have a demonstration available for any of the software. If you have a salesperson demonstrate it to you, remember to keep your list of priorities firmly in mind. Most salespeople are trained to present the best features of a package from a general point of view; it's up to you to decide how those features suit your needs. You can also find friends or associates who already have the particular Bible study software you're interested in. Talk to those friends and see if you can work with their software to see how well it works for you.

5. Make sure that you put in the effort to make your Bible study software work effectively for you.

If you are a church librarian installing the software on a machine in the library, consider getting a computer savvy person in your congregation to study the software and present a basic class to interested members. As an individual, read the documentation, and work the help files. Follow up on the publisher's Web site and through e-mail.

Your Bible software is a tool-it's up to you to make it work!

Henry Neufeld is a writer, Bible teacher and computer services specialist. He has BA and MA degrees in Biblical languages and more than 20 years experience in information management related fields.  His Web site is www.energion.com .