“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). One of my prized possessions is my pastor’s edition of The Lutheran Study Bible, English Standard Version (Concordia Publishing House, 2009), which a dear parishioner once gave me. What makes TLSB so special is its rich commentary, taking up the bottom half of every page, plus its excellent charts and myriad study helps. This is the best study Bible I have ever seen, addressing 95 percent of the questions of the average reader. I have used TLSB to teach parishioners in every church in which I have been privileged to serve and, of course, have it by my side at Riga Luther Academy (our online seminary) and also while instructing our Persian congregants here in Hamburg. Unfortunately, shipping costs make it expensive to use this Bible here in Europe and other parts of the world. *** For over a year now, we have been blessed by our international small group that meets in our apartment once a month. Our friends Drew and Lauren Clapper (originally from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sherman, IL) are also part of our group. They were back home over Christmas and came to our gathering last week toting two heavy cloth bags. I initially assumed that they had brought food or drinks and was flabbergasted when I saw the contents: ten copies of The Lutheran Study Bible, which they had lugged all the way from the States, and donated to whoever might need this excellent resource. I know many people who will benefit greatly from this wonderful gift. These Bibles will go a long way in helping those ten believers dig deeper into the treasure that we have in Holy Scripture, which deserves to be studied in depth with a first-class commentary. Thank you, Drew and Lauren, for your generous hearts. Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive!
The Tiews in Germany 