In September 2019, our teaching ministry chose to change directions and write a FREE verse-by-verse International Bible Study Commentary through the Gospel of John so we could keep our focus directly on learning more about Jesus Christ and drawing closer to Christ week-by-week. Since then, we have added a 26-week study of Matthew and Mark, the three Letters of John, and the Letter of James.We have retained the Contents of the International Bible Lesson Commentaries and the International Bible Lessons written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. because even though they are not in selection sequence many people have found them helpful and they do not conflict with the purposes of the Uniform Lessons Series.
The International Bible Study Commentary will promote personal Bible study and spiritual growth in relationsship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. International Bible Study Commentary materials are FREE and can be used in home study and mid-week Bible study groups, and in Sunday schools for adults and youth. Many teachers read the International Bible Lessons on Sunday mornings to their class as one focal point in the lesson. Others study the International Bible Study Commentary to prepare for midweek and home Bible studies and Sunday school classes. Some close their Bible study with the prayer through the Bible Lesson as they teach their class to practice praying through the Bible.
The writer of the International Bible Study Commentary believes in Historic Biblical Christianity and that the Bible is true in all that it affirms (an explanation often used by the late Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer to describe his belief about the truth of the Bible). Many of the Bible commentaries, Bible lessons, books, and other materials written by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. are available on The Parkhurst Group website and elsewhere, and these resources include these facts of faith: Jesus Christ is the Son of God (fully God and fully man), Jesus died on the cross so God could be just and merciful when He forgives all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God where He reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus is coming again according to His Father's perfect timing, Jesus Christ grants eternal life and fills with the Holy Spirit all who will trust in Him for salvation.
The International Bible Study Commentary website has continued to grow since it began in June 2010 as the International Bible Lessons Commentary. Within three years, more than 150 Bible Lesson Commentaries had been published, and many suggestions by readers have resulted in an increase in the variety of resources and the number of weekly readers. From looking through the commentary contents, you will be able to see how the number of resources provided each week has expanded, and you will notice that the earliest commentaries contain only a Bible commentary and lesson. Later, the weekly International Bible Study Commentary was expanded to include Discussion Questions for Thinking Further. Then, some teachers asked for Discussion Hints for Thinking Further (not specific answers to the questions, but hints for discussion) to accompany the discussion questions, so these were added to the weekly commentary. Later, a Student Study Handout with Scripture Text was added with a study plan that enables teachers to print out the weekly Scripture text for students to use in the beginning of class. The Student Study Handout with Scripture Text printout includes room for each student to do some self-study during a “quiet time” prior to discussing the Bible lesson in class. Some classes use one or more Bible translations so they can compare the translations in class.
The International Bible Study Commentary began with only one Bible translation. Now the The International Bible Study Commentary offers four popular Bible translations. The King James Version [KJV], the New American Standard Bible [NASB], the New International Version [NIV] and the New Revised Standard Version [NRSV] are now included for you to print out and use for lesson preparation or in class. Resources are also available in an easy-print large print format for the visually impaired. We have chosen to offer these four versions because the language of the beloved King James Version is the foundation for many subsequent and reliable translations, the New American Standard Bible seems to offer the most literal translation of the original languages, the New International Version [NIV] seems more contemporary and readable to some, and the New Revised Standard Version seems to read closer to contemporary English usage while trying to remain true to the most original Bible manuscripts. Some translations seem to be better than others in revealing the meaning of a verse, and all four of these translations can be compared for a better understanding of the Bible text and its meaning. The resources provided here will enable you and your students to compare and discuss these four different translations.
The International Bible Lesson Commentary [The IBLC] formerly followed the Bible lesson selection sequence of the Uniform Lessons Series provided by the Committee on the Uniform Series of the National Council of Churches, sometimes known as the International Sunday School Lessons [ISSL]. The former International Bible Lessons Commentaries, International Bible Lessons, and the accompanying Sunday School resources of the previous International Bible Lesson Commentaries and the International Bible Lessons are still available through this International Bible Study Commentary website. The International Bible Study Commentary has no relationship with the National Council of Churches or the Committee on the Uniform Series of the National Council of Churches.
The International Bible Lesson Forum serves as a companion to the International Bible Study Commentary.
L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. is an ordained Christian minister who began writing the International Bible Lessons for The Oklahoman newspaper in September 1989. In the course of thirty years, he has written more than 1,500 Bible lessons and has written through the Bible five times using the Uniform Lessons Series, and now writes the International Bible Study Commentary. In 1980, he compiled, edited, and published his first book, Charles G. Finney’s Principles of Prayer, and he has compiled, edited, and published almost 20 volumes of Charles Finney’s works. He is also the author of Francis A. Schaeffer: the Man and His Message; Francis and Edith Schaeffer: Expanded and Updated Edition, Prayer Steps to Serenity, and How God Teaches Us to Pray: Lessons from the Lives of Francis and Edith Schaeffer. Within the last few years, he has completed three new books of Charles Finney’s “Sermons on Romans,” which includes a Commentary on Romans and Study Questions for group or personal study. These three new books are available in trade paperback size (6x9) and as e-books titled: Principles of Righteousness, Principles of Peace, and Principles of Joy in the Holy Spirit. His most recent book How to Find God Again: Taking the Path to God’s Open Heart includes Charles Spurgeon’s sermons on The Prodigal Son, The Lost Sheep, and The Lost Silver Coin, along with Parkhurst's Commentary on Luke 15 and Study Questions for group or personal use. His books are available for purchase online or order from your local bookstore. To learn more about his online ministry and publications, visit www.ouosu.com.