ESV Concise Study Bible

 

If you can read fairly small print (7.75-point font), the new ESVConcise Study Bible, which Crossway kindly gave me to review, provides an excellent, hardback edition to carry to your Bible discussion group as it features over 12,000 study notes, over a dozen articles on the scriptures and/or Christian life, and loads of maps within the text to keep you grounded in the biblical terrain.

 

The highly popular ESV Study Bible, which my husband gave me in gorgeous leather and which I reviewed almost a decade ago, includes more articles and aids, but its encyclopedic size kept me from taking it to study groups. Therefore, it’s on my desk, waiting for me to research a biblical theme I plan to write about or prepare me for my weekly Bible discussion group.

 

Like its larger counterpart of the English Standard Bible study edition from Crossway, the ESV Concise Study Bible also includes helpful features such as “The Time between the Testaments,” illustrations such as “The Temple Mount in the Time of Jesus” as well as charts and diagrams within the text. It also includes study questions to think about such as:

 

“Who is involved in the passage?

What are they saying?

Are there any repeated words, clauses, or themes?

What is the passage’s historical and literary context?

Do the verses before and after this passage help me to understand more about the verses?”

 

Bible students are also asked to consider:

 

“What does this passage teach me about God and his work in his world?

At what point in God’s story is this passage taking place?

Is this passage fulfilled in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection?

How does this text inform my faith?”

 

Ultimately, Holy Scriptures are meant to be applied to our lives. For instance, “The Bible: God’s Message to Us” asks us to ask ourselves:

 

“What should I do or believe because of the text?

How does this text impact my life?

What does God expect from me?

How can this text encourage my faith?”

 

Well, there’s more – much more packed into this concise edition, which aids our understanding of life in Israel, the Trinity, teachings of Jesus, and even curses! For example, the Glossary defines a “curse” as the consequence of breaking covenant with God then goes on to say: “Such curses are always intended to lead to repentance so that one’s relationship with God can be restored.”

 

May God restore, renew, and bless our relationship with Him, our loved ones, and our fellowship with other Christians in this Christmas season and throughout all of our coming years.

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, blogger, Bible reviewer

 

…

 

The Koren Tanakh: The Torah, The Prophets, and The Writings

 

Last month we took a look at The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel: Samuel and before that Exodus, both published by Koren Publishers Jerusalem, who kindly sent me copies of those exquisitely produced, tabletop editions to review. This time, however, we have the entire first edition of The Koren Tanakh – a well-researched translation of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.

 

Beginning back to front, the opening pages provide this clarifying statement:

 

“The Torah is eternal.

Humanity is ephemeral and dynamic.”

 

As God’s people on earth, our transient lives interact with God and one another while we await the Messiah. Meanwhile, we look to the Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible) to become better acquainted with our rich heritage and better understand God’s will for all peoples. But why do we need a new Hebrew-English translation?

 

The opening text explains:

 

“The Torah is the cornerstone of the world, of our People, and it forms the baseline of the Tanakh, the holy writings of God and His prophets. The changing nature of human society demands a fresh Tanakh translation which speaks to each and every one of us while remaining rooted in the eternal essence of the Torah. The Tanakh is a living script, the screenplay of the history of humanity from Creation to the present.”

 

God’s Word is living, and while spiritual truths do not change, our understanding does.

 

The contents and layout of this edition will help. For starters, we might begin by familiarizing ourselves with the timelines, charts, and maps placed in the front and back matter of the book to aid our study. Then, depending on the present time of year, we might proceed with the “Torah Readings For Special Days,” such as Numbers 28:1-15, p. 389 for Rosh Hodesh. Or the “Blessings Before and After Reading the Torah.”

 

As we continue into the actual scriptures, the index tabs on the outer edge of this thick volume enable us to flip from book to book or section to section. Unless, however, we can read Hebrew, we won’t necessarily know what we’ll find! Although my own language studies are sadly lacking, I suspect that rabbis, pastors, students, and biblical scholars will be delighted to see the contemporary English translation on the right side of each page aligned with the Hebrew text on the left.

 

With the name of each book presented in both the English and Hebrew version, we begin with “Bereshit/Genesis,” which translates the opening text of the Torah as:

 

“When God began creating heaven and earth, the earth was void and desolate, there was darkness on the face of the deep, and the spirit of God moved over the waters. God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light. God saw the light: it was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ There was evening, and there was morning – one day.”

 

Midway in the Nevi’im/ Prophets, we find Yeshaya/ Isaiah with these opening verses from Chapter 55:

 

“You who are thirsty, all, come to water; you who have no silver, come, take food and eat; come and take food without silver, wine and milk without cost, for why should you weigh out your silver for no bread, your labor bringing you no fullness? Listen – listen to Me: let goodness nourish you, and let your souls delight in plenty. Turn your ear to Me and come; listen, that your souls may live; let Me forge an everlasting covenant with you, like David’s faithful promises, for I make him a witness to the nations, a leader, a ruler of nations; for you shall call out, call, to a people you know not, and a people who know you not will come running out to you for the sake of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your glory.             Seek out the Lord while He is to be found; call to Him – now, when He is close.”

 

The more we read God’s Word, the more apt we are to feel that closeness. Regardless of our feelings, though, we know God is with us because the Bible consistently says so! Therefore, no matter the circumstances, we, as Psalm 100 exhorts us, can choose to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise… for the Lord is good; His loving-kindness is forever, His faithfulness for all generations.”

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, reviewer, and life-long student of God’s Word

 

…

 

 

 

 

 

 

100 Best Bible Verses to Overcome Worry & Anxiety

 

Over two-dozen insightful people contributed to the new devotional book, 100 Best Bible Verses to Overcome Worry & Anxiety, which Bethany House kindly sent me to review.

 

With only a couple of pages per scriptural quotation, each exudes wisdom, comfort, and spiritual insight to calm fears and disperse worry. The carefully selected verses from both the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament) and New Testament begin each page with this helpful format:

 

• Bible verse
• Context
• Meaning
• Application
• Additional Readings

 

For example, this familiar verse begins one of the devotionals:

 

“The Lord is my shepherd,
I lack nothing,” Psalm 23:1

 

The “Context” then reminds us that David wrote this psalm as a young shepherd before becoming King of Israel.

 

In the next section, “Meaning,” the last paragraph says:

 

“There is nothing you need that God hasn’t provided. The same shepherd who would put himself in harm’s way to protect you will also make sure you have exactly what you need to thrive.”

 

Then, “Application” helps us to understand how “…we also need to consider what this psalm says to those worried about everyday things…. You lack nothing! God will provide and protect. If he promises to be with us even in death – and showed it through the sacrifice of his own Son – he will also be with us in this life, leading you to the pastures and water you need to sustain and nourish you."

“Additional Reading” suggests John 10:11-18 and Luke 15:3-7.

 

Although God is with us always, we can expect hardships to arise. Nevertheless, James 1:2 tells us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  This sounds impossible at first – almost ridiculous! But the “Application” for this verse reminds us:

 

“Jesus never promised that we would live free from difficulty. Use your trials as opportunities to produce stronger, richer faith and character. Use your trials to draw closer than ever to your Savior. Share your experiences with someone walking through a similar situation to offer comfort or advice. Ask Jesus to help you view these hard times as periods of joy, and ask him to refine your faith in the process.”

 

For many years, Romans 8:28 has helped me regain perspective and redirect focus from myself or my concerns to God. Apparently this was true for the Apostle Paul too. After acknowledging our suffering, he writes these faith-building words:

 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

 

This assurance lets us know that, no matter what, God will bring forth good! And so, even in the middle of the worse moments, we can choose to offer a sacrifice of praise. The “Application” for Romans 8:28 also encourages us to:

 

“Spend time today worshiping the Lord for all he has given you! Life is difficult, yes. But finding moments to celebrate his glory is endlessly important. When you’re feeling like everything is not okay, and you can’t see his good plan, a little bit of worship can quickly remind you of his presence and his goodness. So cry out, ‘Hallelujah” Sing your favorite worship song and give him praise today.”

Amen! 

 

©2021, Mary Sayler, poet-writer, reviewer, and author-compiler of Kneeling on the Promises of God

 

…

 

 

ESV Panorama New Testament

 

The ESV Panorama New Testament, published by Crossway who kindly sent me a copy to review, presents the NT in a unique, panoramic view.

With extra-large pages (10.2 x 12.6") inside a hardback cover, this edition uses a well-spaced 8.5-point font, so each book of the New Testament requires as few pages as possible.

Shorter books take only one or two pages, which means a whole book often spreads before you, making it easy to see favorite verses you underline or key words you circle. 

To encourage that process, the edition has thick, cream-colored pages Smyth-sewn into a grey cloth-over-board cover that lays flat on a desk or table.

The idea is to engage readers fully with God’s Word. For instance, the layout of the Panorama New Testament enables Bible students, pastors, teachers, writers, and devotional readers to follow a particular theme or topic in each book or readily locate scriptures to memorize.

This reader edition contains no footnotes or other aids generally found in hefty study Bibles, but the large pages and wide margins provide plenty of space to make your own notes. And, unlike study Bibles that might be a few inches thick, this one is only 0.7-inch, which seems far less formidable for those of us who like to read an entire book of the Bible at one sitting.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer

 

…

 

The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide

Published by Bethany House, who kindly sent me a copy for an honest review, The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide by Tara-Leigh Cobble just didn’t speak to me at first! As the posts on this blog show, I’m really into the Bible and have been since early childhood. So I don’t identify with those who view God’s Word as inaccessible or hard to understand. My way has been to look up difficult passages in various translations and, in recent years, to search Bible Gateway where I find English versions I’d never heard of or don’t have on my shelves.

But that’s me.

Tara-Leigh Cobble also has a passion for God’s Word – just not a similar experience, but rather than giving up, she took another approach to understanding the Bible – one involving relevant questions with which most of us can relate and will do well to ask.

In her opening letter, for example, she approaches the Bible with these vital questions:

• What does God say or do in this passage?
• What does this reveal about what God loves?
• What does this reveal about what God hates?
• What does this reveal about what motivates God to do what He does?
• In all of that, what attributes of God are displayed?

As she goes on to explain:

“The questions we ask of the Bible impact the wisdom we glean from it. Reading the Bible is not a means of self-help or an attempt to earn God’s favor. It’s an opportunity to behold the beauty of God and be drawn in by Him.”

After focusing on her favorite passages, the author “decided to read through Scripture chronologically, not front to back. I wanted to see the overall story line or metanarrative,” finding “Some of the questions I had in Leviticus weren’t answered until Hebrews. But all good relationships require patience, and they develop over time. It’s worth holding some things with an open hand and waiting until God reveals more of Himself.”

Amen!

Ironically, my dissimilar approach led me to the same conclusion! So I’d already purchased a chronological Bible before I saw the opening line in “How to Use This Book”:

“This book is arranged according to a one-year chronological plan, but you don’t have to buy a chronological Bible. In fact, I encourage you not to because it’s probably laid out differently than the plan we are doing.”

With each day’s reading clearly shown at the top of the page, the author suggests we first read the passage(s) in our preferred translation then return to The Bible Recap for a summary and a commentary on any confusing parts. At the end of each of those introductions is “Today’s God Shot,” which gives a glimpse of an aspect of God relevant to the reading. For instance, at the end of the section “Genesis 1-3,” that sidebar says:

“God is our Creator and the Lord over everything, but despite His lordship and His perfection, He’s merciful toward the sinners He’s in relationship with.”

At the end of the section for “Exodus 13-15,” we read this “God Shot,” which says:

“There is no love without wrath. If you truly love something, you’ll hate whatever threatens it. Out of God’s great love for Israel, He fights for them. And when God makes war, He wins. He has solutions we can’t even conceive of – who would even think to pray for a path through the sea? …He knows better than we do. He loves better than we do. He helps eradicate the things that distract our heart from Him to help us remember that He’s where the joy is!”

Joy – delight, elation, and even ecstasy – reside in knowing and loving God, which is the primary theme and purpose of this book. For example, as The Bible Recap reaches the New Testament, we’re encouraged to read “Matthew 5-7” followed by this commentary:

"In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the upside-down kingdom of God. He opens with eight blessings, and many scholars believe they’re cumulative – the first blessing is the foundation of the rest of the sermon….

“When we realize our spiritual poverty, we mourn it which produces meekness in us as we engage the world. Meekness gives way to a desire for God to increase our righteousness. It becomes easier to show mercy to others, because we know what it’s like to struggle. God continues to purify us as we engage with Him. We become people who don’t run from conflict, but who enter into the chaos and create peace. Peacemakers, not peacekeepers….”

Amen! Through the Bible, The Bible Recap, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, may God help us to know Him better, incorporate His Word more fully into our lives, and make peace as the Lord empowers us in Jesus’ Name.

 

©2021, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible Reviewer

 

…

 

 

The Passion Translation: NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs

A few years ago, BroadStreet Publishing kindly sent me a boxed set of several books in The Passion Translation (TPT) to review, but this year I’ve been wanting a single volume of the New Testament with Psalms to reread, hopefully forever!

 

Searching online, I found even more than I dreamed in The Passion Translation: NT with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs, and so I ordered a copy in reddish-brown faux leather. (If I’d seen the large print edition in violet, I probably would have ordered it!)

 

Besides laying open flat, as a genuine leather Bible would do, this slender edition of TPT, is as attractive as any Christmas gift should be. But what attracts us far more is the highly readable text and exceptional footnotes that even someone with many, many translations of the Bible will welcome.

 

For example, have you ever thought of Psalm 15 as King David’s “Sermon on the Mount”? I had not, but the TLP footnotes make that comparison.

 

To give you a better idea of what to expect in this unique Bible, I’ll use 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as an example. Why? When I previously reviewed the TPT, a reader asked about the word choices in those verses of the “love chapter.” The TPT footnotes will explain, but first, let’s look at the text. [If you’d like to compare it with the King James Version (KJV), click here for the same passage as shown on the Bible Gateway website.]

 

“4. Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous^a when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. 5. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated^b or quick to take offense^c. 6. Love joyfully celebrates honesty^d and finds no delight in what is wrong^e. 7. Love is a safe place of shelter^f, for it never stops believing the best for others^g. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. 8a. Love never stops loving^h.”

 

[Note: The italicized words indicate what’s implied by the context of the passage.]

 

The footnotes aligned with those verses add insight into the above word choices for the TPT translation:

 

a 13:4 Or “boil with jealousy.”

b 13:5 Or “overly sensitive” [having sharp edges].

c 13:5 Or “resentful” or “does not keep score.” The Aramaic can be translated “Love does not stare at evil.” Love will overlook offenses and remain focuses on what is good, refusing to hold resentment in our hearts.

d 13:6 Or “reality” (for “truth”).

e 13:6 Or “injustice” or “unrightousness.”

f 13:7 Or “Love bears all things.” Although commonly understood to mean that love can bear hardships of any kind, the nominalized form of the verb (stego) is actually the word for “roof” found in Mark 2:4. Paul is saying that love covers all things, like a roof covers the house. See 1 Peter 4:8. Love does not focus on what is wrong but will bear with the shortcomings of others. And like a roof protects and shields, you could say that love springs no leak. It is a safe place that offers shelter, not exposure.

g 13:7 “Or “it never loses faith.”

h 13:8 “Or “love never, not even once, fails [lapses]” or “Love never falls down” [it keeps going higher].

 

There’s much more to say, but the TLP needs to be read - cover to cover - by all lovers of God and His word.

 

 

Reviewed by poet-writer Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

 

If you'd like to order a copy for yourself or someone else, click on your preference:

The Passion Translation: New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs, covered in reddish-brown faux leather 

The Passion Translation: New Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs in large print, covered in violet-purple faux leather 

KJV Sword Study Bible

 
After learning Whitaker House had published the KJV Sword Study Bible with the direct words of God in red, I just had to order a copy. Although many New Testaments can be found with Jesus’ words in red, I’d never seen a red-letter edition of the Old Testament.

That unique feature gave reason enough to buy the KJV Sword Study Bible, but this edition offers many more special helps. For example, the King James Version of the biblical text has an “easy read format,” aka KJVER, which means archaic words such as “oft” have been updated to “often,” verbs have lost their “th” or “st” endings, and second person pronouns “thee” and “thou” have been changed to “you.”

These minimal changes do indeed make the text easy to follow, especially since uncommonly used words have a contemporary synonym directly below the verse in which that word appears. For instance, in Genesis, “dominion” is underlined with the its equivalent “authority” in the space between verses.

Another unique feature occurs in marginal markings, covering about 100 topics divided into three categories. As the Introduction explains:

“For example, the G heading is for those verses relating to God and the many attributes of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Since God has a plan, the verses that illustrate His plan or reflect Him implementing His plan, go under the P heading. Verses that speak of God using man are found under the M heading.”

Then

“At the bottom of each marginal reference line is a number. This number directs you to the next page on which the study of the subject continues.”

In addition to the Introduction, the front matter includes:

A Basic Outline of Old Testament History

The Names and Attributes of God

Definitions of Biblical Terms Rarely Used Today

Word Changes

In the latter, for instance, we see a four-page list of updated words such as “astonied – astonished” and “yesternight – last night.” Also, the changes of verbs from “speakest” to “speak” and “taketh” to “take” have been included.

The section “Between the Testaments,” which is appropriately named for its location, discusses various empires and influences. Then the page “Margin Study Reference & Guide” highlights that feature and encourages readers to “Follow the references – subject by subject – through the Bible. Make and mark your own special subject you want to know about.” Several pages then follow, enabling readers to readily find a topic of interest.

In the extensive back matter, the “Treasury of Biblical Information” begins with articles occasionally of a controversial nature, which I would have preferred to be excluded. However, they’re followed by helpful study aids, such as the “Names and Titles of Jesus Christ,” a “Detailed Chronology of the Acts,” “Messianic Prophecies of the Old Testament and their New Testament Fulfillment in Christ,” a list of primary “Events of the Bible,” a thorough concordance, and clear black and white maps, including one I especially appreciate, “Major Nations of the Bible Then and Now.”

Since I bought a copy the KJV Sword Study Bible myself, I ordered my favorite perks: a genuine leather cover, 15-point font, and thumb indexing. If you click onto the above hotlinks, you will find that same KJVER edition, which I highly recommend.

 

Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, Bible Reviewer, and lifelong lover of God’s Word.

 

…

 

 

 

 

Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable

Published by Bethany House, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable by Dr. William H. Marty focuses primarily on the parables of Jesus, which He frequently used to teach. But why did He? As the author explains in the Introduction:

Jesus “used parables to draw his audience into the story. Once they identified with the characters, he would make a point, usually with an unexpected development.”

That literary technique can still work well in delivering sermons and other types of writing aimed toward revealing biblical truths. In this book, however, Dr. Marty brings insights to Bible parables we have read often enough to think we’ve gleaned all the biblical truths they contain. Not!

For example, in the very familiar parable “The Sower and the Soils,” the author highlights “A Surprising Harvest” with this comment:

“Jesus’ stories always include a surprising twist, and that’s the good news in this parable. A quarter of the seed fell on good soil, and the harvest was incredible. The seed produced a crop of a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was planted. The harvest was far above what farmers could expect – in first century Israel, most farmers would have been satisfied with a yield of ten percent.”

In this same first chapter, a chart address the parables, their meanings, and the “take-away” or Kingdom truth. As we consider the parable of The Sower, for example, the meaning relates to “The competing obstacles to the proclamation of the Word of God” while the Kingdom truth points out “The remarkable growth of the kingdom of God in spite of competing obstacles.”

The chapter “The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price” discusses two parables beginning with “The kingdom of heaven is like….” In one, “The man who found the hidden treasure was probably a field hand. It’s unlikely he was digging in another man’s field. He was most likely working for the land owner when he accidentally discovered a buried treasure. Throughout Israel’s history, the land had been overrun by invading armies. When there was a threat of invasion, people would often protect their treasure by burying it in the ground.”

The other parable talks about a merchant or jeweler who was “actively searching for the perfect pearl.” Both of these stories “make the same point about the matchless value of the kingdom. I think, however, we can also make a valid point about how the worker and the merchant found the kingdom: the worker found the buried treasure by chance; the merchant found the perfect pearl after a diligent search. Point: People discover the kingdom in different ways.”

Following this and every other parable, the author includes a section entitled “Reflect” with questions for readers to consider in applying these biblical truths to their own lives. After the parables of the pearls, for instance, one of the questions for reflection is “What were the circumstances of your coming to faith in Christ? Was it intentional or unintentional?”

This chapter concludes, as do the rest, with a memory verse – in this case Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Some chapters, such as “The Vine and the Branches,” include “Optional” questions to ask ourselves and/or additional comments. For example:

“Jesus’ teaching about the vine and the branches is the basis for the concept of ‘union with Christ’ that Paul and other writers explain as the fundamental union for all the benefits we have received as believers.”

The “Memory Verse” reminds us of Jesus’ timeless word to His followers:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

 

Mary HarwellSayler, ©2020, poet-writer, Bible reviewer

 

...

 

 

 

Catholic Family Connection Bible

The Catholic Family Connection Bible, which Saint Mary’s Press kindly sent me to review, aims to be “Where family, faith, and life connect” with God’s word. Since the edition has a Catholic emphasis, the translation used is the highly acclaimed New American Bible Revised Edition, which I, too, acclaim for its thoroughness and accuracy, especially if you want to read, as I did, the intertestament books.

The word “Catholic,” of course, means universal, wide-reaching, and all-embracing, so you can be confident it includes you. Nevertheless, you can expect to find pages with “Catholic Practices and Prayers,” which I also recommend regardless of your denominational preference simply because the more we understand where each other is coming from, the more apt we are to show respect and appreciation for fellow Christians with views we might not have considered.

As stated in an opening page, “The Bible Is Multicultural”:

“In the Bible, God is revealed as the God of all nations and all cultures….” and since we “live in a multicultural word,” this edition “includes additional articles representing cultural perspectives from around the world” – namely, African American, Asian American, Hispanic and Latino, and Native American.

For example, a “Cultural Connection” sidebar on Mark 1 tells us:

“Most Native American peoples would not be surprised by all the angels and spirits in the first chapter of Mark. Many Native American cultures believe in the presence of good and bad spirits in the world. They view good spirits as personal helpers and message bearers, like the angels who take care of Jesus in verse 13.”

The “Cultural Connection” alongside Mark 4 reminds us how “Jesus teaches about God’s Reign through parables” or stories. Then,

“In some Hispanic families, it is customary for young people to hear their abuelita (grandmother) tell stories about their family history, traditions, and faith. Many of the stories are true; others may be created to give a moral teaching, like the parables.”

Still in Mark, the “Cultural Connection” for chapter 15 says:

“According to Mark 15:21, the Roman soldiers compelled a North African black man from Cyrene by the name of Simon, a passerby, to carry the cross of Jesus. We do not know anything more about Simon of Cyrene, except that Mark identifies him as the father of Alexander and Rufus. The reference to Simon’s sons by name and the possibility that Rufus is the same person Paul greets in Romans 16:13 indicate that they were known among the early Christians. This is significant for African Americans because it is evidence of the prominence and influence of African people in the early Christian Church.”

Each of those cultural references came in sidebars only from the Gospel of Mark, but such perceptive jewels have been scattered throughout the entire edition.

Other unique articles and sidebars encourage us to “Pray It!,” “Study It!,” and “Live It! Additionally, inserts such as “Praying with the Bible” go into more detail:

“As Catholics we believe that God speaks to us in the words of the Bible. The words are not just human words but rather God’s own communication of love to us. When we pray with the Bible, God speaks to our hearts and can deeply touch us and change our lives.”

The next two pages of that insert instruct us in the ancient prayer practice of Lectio Divina – “a prayer technique for reading the Bible slowly and contemplatively, allowing God’s word to shed insights on your life. It cultivates the ability to listen deeply, to hear the word of God with the ear of your heart.”

Another insert focuses on “Family Faith Conversations” that provide:

• thematic Bible passages to help start family faith conversations
• prayer ideas for dealing with the death of a family member
• ideas for family service activities

Can you see why I’m so impressed with this edition? And I haven’t even mentioned the helpful introductions to each book, the pages in the back matter that help readers find a wealth of topics, an explanation of “The Church Year,” a glossary, a timeline, and maps including one I always like to find (but rarely do) “The Holy Land in Modern Times.”

Like a good mother, this edition gives us almost everything a family might need!

Mary HarwellSayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer, ©2020

…

The Growing in Faith Bible for children and beyond

Does it seem strange to you to call a Bible “delightful”? But that’s the word that came to mind when Concordia Publishing House sent me a review copy of  The Growing in Faith Bible for children in the highly accurate ESV (English Standard Version) which says:

 “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them,” Psalm 111:2.

As caretakers of the earth blessed by vital waterways and vivid sunsets, we study those delightful works of the Lord in nature. However, the Bible itself is a work of God to be studied and to fill us with delight.

In this edition for children and (my assessment) beyond, the colorful artwork and unique features will surely help readers to find God Himself delightful. One such feature, the “Verse for Life,” highlights Bible verses for children to memorize and recall throughout their lives. For example:

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart,” Psalm 37:4.

The front pages of the book list the features with an explanation for each, starting with “Parent Connections,” which could also be applied to teachers and other caretakers and says:

“Teach your children the important message and theme in each book of the Bible, raising them to be a child of Jesus Christ, their Savior.”

As the heading implies, “Bible Narratives” give important Bible stories to show “how God loves, forgives, guides, and protects us in our everyday lives.” Then “Christ Connections” reveal “places in the Old Testament that point ahead to Jesus….” while another feature, “Big Questions and Answers,” reflects on things children wonder about and want to know.

To help readers find these features, numerous pages in the back of the book provide lists and related page numbers as well as a concordance and maps.

In addition to relevant prayers at the end of each Bible story scattered throughout the book, the “Topical Prayers in the back matter also have children and young people in mind. Those prayers include the reader’s church, pastor, family, and enemies! And the section “For My Needs” reminds readers to pray for themselves too. For instance, “When I’m Scared” says:

“Lord God, heavenly Father, please help

me; I’m scared. Remind me that You

are stronger than anything You created –

and You control everything that happens.

Take away my fear for Jesus’ sake, and

give me quiet trust in You; through

Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

Not only does this prayer give a frightened person an appropriate prayer to pray, the words themselves are comforting, faith-building, and filled with delight!

Although there's no Lutheran Church in my small town, and I attend a non-denominational church accepting of all parts of the Body of Christ, I was happy to see the addition of “Martin Luther’s Small Catechism,” which brings up important points for every Christian to consider. Regardless of our age or denominational preferences, we need to know what we believe and why, and this excellent word will help us to do just that.  For example, we receive this word of advice:

“…with young people, keep to a single, fixed, and permanent form and wording, and teach them first of all the Ten Commandments, the Creeds, the Lord’s Prayer, etc., according to the text, word for word, so that they can repeat it after you and commit it to memory.” 

The brief catechism goes on to explain each aspect of those faith-building tools from God’s word. 

With this and other unique features meant to meet a child’s spiritual needs throughout childhood and beyond, this edition comes in a sturdy hardback that should last for many decades of delightful use.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

The Growing in Faith Bible, hardback

…