Book: The New Testament Made Easier: Part 1 Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Author: David J. Ridges
Publisher: Cedar Fort
2003
David Ridges has added a second volume to his Gospel Studies Series. Volume Two focuses on the first four books of the New Testament, which is the course of study for Sunday School this year. The books are essentially his own notes. He offers the wording of the scriptures with his notes in parentheses. In addition, he periodically includes background information on culture and history.
As I have begun marking my new scriptures, his book has made me aware that I need another set of scriptures. While my copy is convenient to carry, they do not have room for these wonderful notes and I want them! I have decided, since I intend to continue reading these books, that I need another set for home study. In the meantime, I squeeze in the most important ones and now look like the class genius in Sunday School. Having taught Primary for much of the past twenty years, it is wonderful to have someone guide me through the material we don't teach preschoolers!
Following is an example of the type of resource provided by the book: (Brother Ridges' notes are in parentheses.)
Matthew 8: 18-23
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side (of the Sea of Galilee.)
19 And a certain scribe (a leader among the Jews) came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest.
20 And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (in other words, following the Savior can require difficult personal sacrifices.)
21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me (allow me) first to go and bury my father.
22 (But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead (there is probably more to the story here, but the message is clear, that following the Savior requires real commitment to Him and His instructions.)
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
Note: We now read of the experience during the storm which was the inspiration for the Hymn # 105, Master the Tempest is Raging. In these next verses we will again be clearly taught that Christ has power over the elements.
As you can see, the notes give readers the ability to very quickly understand a verse. I found this book and the previous volume on Isaiah, to be simpler to use than a detailed commentary when I am preparing lessons and talks, and when I am studying the Sunday School reading assignment each week. The material covers the very questions my challenging Gospel Doctrine teacher asks, so I always feel prepared to be a good student. This is a power set of references that I consider an essential part of my gospel library.
David J. Ridges has taught in the Church educational system for 35 years, and has written curriculums for many church organizations, including Sunday School and Institute of Religion. He currently serves as a patriarch. Brother Ridges is also the author of the first book in this series, a valuable guide to Isaiah. The third volume of this series, covering the remainder of the New Testament, is also available from a link on this page. (Look to the right.)
