LAST LESSONS #145 — LAST WORDS — COMMENTARIES

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” 1 Timothy 6:3-4

About 25 years ago, I began to give GOOD Bible commentaries to my family and to Rafiki staff members. There are so many books printed today that are not doctrinally sound and I wanted to make sure that the people that I love had access to the best Bible commentaries. I began to give commentaries that are printed by publishers that I trust—P&R Reformed Expository Commentaries, Crossway Preaching the Word Commentaries edited by R. Kent Hughes, and Ligonier Ministries commentaries by R.C. Sproul.

To my children, grandchildren, and Rafiki staff members I gave one of these commentaries for Christmas and one on their birthdays. After I retired as executive director of Rafiki, Karen Elliott is continuing to give these commentaries to staff members. I continue to give to my family members. I smile now when I look at my bookcase and see 50 GOOD commentaries and I know that my family and Rafiki staff members also have such a library.

Realizing how much good commentaries can contribute to a person’s Bible study, I have suggested a commentary for each Rafiki Bible Study (66 of them!) that members of the group use as they do the lessons. If you are a group leader, please help your members get the commentary. As I have led RBS groups, I have heard the members say that reading the commentaries has helped them understand the Bible lesson more than anything. Commentaries may be purchased from Rafiki for 14 studies for a big discount. Check the Rafiki Bible Study Resources page for which ones. www.rafikibiblestudy.org 

The last point I want to make about good commentaries is that I personally take much joy in reading them. I read at least a chapter in a commentary every morning. And I have done this for more than 60 years. Reading their words, I get to know the writers—they become my personal friends even if I have never met them.

My advice to you is PLEASE READ COMMENTARIES. But only the GOOD ones!