Curt Daniel's "Helpful Hints on Reading the Bible" (Part 6)

Dr. Curt Daniel's helpful hint #6 on reading the Bible is today's post. Of course, our age is of mp3 downloads and CDs, not tapes. The point is to regularly listen to and benefit from the those who preach the Word of God. Here is the post:

6. LISTEN TO BIBLE EXPOSITIONS ON TAPE

"Most sermons are not expository - they do not expound the passage but get off onto topics or tangents. But some preachers stick closely to the text, and tapes of their messages are very useful when studying through the Bible. This is especially useful with individual passages or books which you are trying to memorize. Understanding helps memory. Again, these can be listened to in the car or at home. Or you can give them to friends or family. Some churches have a ministry where they regularly supply preaching tapes to shut-ins and the elderly. Certain well-known preachers are known as expository preachers, and their messages are most helpful in Bible study as opposed to general listening. John MacArthur Jr, James Montgomery Boice, and Al Martin are among the best. Tapes of the late D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the prince of modern preachers, are also available. There are dozens of major tape ministries and hundreds of smaller ones. Some only lend, others only sell, others both lend and sell. Only a few are totally free. Some handle only a single speaker, others carry many speakers. Some tape ministries carry taped sermons on virtually every book of the Bible, thus covering almost every verse of Scripture. Sometimes it is very useful to have a taped message on a specific topic for yourself or a friend. It is not always easy to obtain messages on the more unusual but still important topics. On the other hand, it is a good idea to have access to a good tape of a basic Gospel message to give to a non-Christian friend. He may listen to a tape when he would never read a book. These can be given as gifts at Christmas or as the need arises. Tapes on specific problems or cults can also be very useful to give away. Still, the main idea here is the value of tapes of expository, consecutive messages directly on the Bible. These can be listened to in tandem with personal Bible study on the passage to great profit."