The Benefits of Waiting to Use Commentaries

Colleen Searcy believes it’s in your best interest not to reach for commentaries too quickly in your Bible study. Ryan and I tend to agree with her. As do Stephen Kneale and John Piper, among others.

Searcy compares commentaries to Google Maps, highlighting how much more knowledgable we become of an area from a paper map vs. a GPS app. And in the process, she keenly identifies three major benefits of not using commentaries too quickly.

1. Holding off on commentaries encourages engagement with God and with others.
2. Doing the work helps you remember.
3. You learn to recognize landmarks and patterns that are woven throughout the Scriptures.

There is much here worthy of your consideration.

Check it out!