Anyone who visits my office is always amazed at the number of books that I have on my shelves (I have even more stored away!). I’m often asked, “Have you read all of these?” To which I can honestly reply, “Yes, most of them.”
I love to read and I have collected many excellent resources to help me in my teaching and preaching. But I know that many pastors, missionaries and laymen cannot have anywhere near the library that I’ve been blessed with. Some can barely afford to have more than a couple of resources besides their Bibles.
ONE RESOURCE TO HAVE. . .
Of all the resources I have, the one that has been the greatest blessing to my personal life and my teaching ministry has been Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible (MHC). It is devotional, expositional and provides a good solid theological commentary on every passage in the Bible. Matthew Henry is also full of great wit, practical illustrations and short, memorable quotations. No other single resource can provide you with so much.
MHC comes in two basic formats: (1) a one volume version that excludes the scripture passages, and (2) a six volume set that includes the scripture and has larger print. I have both. I tried to save money by buying the one volume. After purchasing the six volume version, I would recommend that you spend the extra $10.00 — $20.00 and get the six volumes. It is more usable with the scripture right in the text and far more readable due to the larger text.
USING MATTHEW HENRY
Most who purchase MHC use it simply as a commentary on a particular passage. While I always consult MHC when teaching, I find it more helpful when used devotionally. Let me give you an example of how I have used MHC.
Let’s say you were planning to preach from 1 Kings. I would study through 1 Kings devotionally before I ever begin the series. I usually work through one paragraph a day rather than a chapter. (This is another advantage to the six volume set — it is set in paragraph sections. The one volume treats a chapter at a time.) I read the passage through making my own observations and notes.
Then I proceed to Matthew Henry’s Commentary and do the following:
(1) Using 3-4 different colored pencils (markers bleed through the pages), I highlight his outline to overview his thoughts.
(2) I begin by using a red pencil to mark major headings (usually I, II, III, etc.) through the entire section. This gives me a clear view of where he is going. This is very helpful. Because of the way the MHC is formatted, it is very easy to be lost trying to find when he changes ideas and thoughts.
(3) I return to each section and read the section highlighting the next outline level with green (usually 1, 2, 3, etc.) and the next with orange [(1), (2), (3), etc.] I reserve the yellow for key quotes or ideas.
(4) Next, I make notes on that section using an outline similar to his but using my own words. I include key quotes that I want to remember and add ideas, illustrations or verses of my own that may be relevant.
(5) Then, I move on to the next section and follow the same pattern.
(6) When I have finished the entire paragraph, I end by re-reading the passage and summarizing what God is saying to me from the passage and notes under a section called “My Response.” Then I close by praying about what God has said through the passage.
When finished, I have the following:
(1) a set of outline notes on the passage;
(2) quotes, verses and ideas about the passage for future use; and
(3) a Biblical, theological devotion that has impacted my own life.
These notes I file either by topic or according to the text (e.g. 1 Kings 3). When I am ready to teach the passage, I have already surveyed the passage, taken some notes and been personally touched by its application to my life. This gives me a very good beginning for a message or Bible study.
Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International
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