ESV Study Bible Giveaway Winners

Last week I shared my desire to give away ten ESV Study Bibles to encourage people to read through the Word of God, assisted by the valuable notes in this particular Bible.

Over 300 of you sent in your reason, in 50 words or less, why you’d like to receive a Bible. I was deeply moved as I read some of the emails. I picked five as “the best,” and picked five more randomly (although since God is sovereign, it wasn’t completely “random”). Here are the five winners:

This is from Juan Zavala. I was inspired by his dedication to the pastoral ministry.

I would like to win the new ESV study Bible for one reason. To help me prepare my sermons. I work 60-80 hours a week in my regular job and I preach on Sundays, many times in English and Spanish at the same time. The Bible will help me with my sermons with all the information it provides.

This one came from Nick Dotson. He’s a worship leader and was one of many who wanted to bless his wife.

I realized that I’ve led many people in worship every week, but I’ve not been leading my wife. She recently expressed a desire to read through the Bible together. We’ve looked for a study Bible that’s Christ-focused, straightforward, and within our budget. I read your post and thought, “Perfect!”

This was sent in by Angelia Dittmeier. I appreciated her creative answer, and was happy to encourage her while her husband serves overseas for six months.

This year when my husband’s gone with the Army for six months, I’d rather study this Bible than engage in all-night Jack Bauer marathons (as I did last time he was gone so lone). Jack is amazing, to be sure, but lacks sovereignty, omniscience (I think), and eternal significance.

This is from Bradley Jones. He wants an ESV Study Bible for a pastor named Joey.

I would like this Bible to give to a pastor I know to help him study. He is the only one who works and has three boys, all under 6, one who has Down Syndrome. He took a pay cut to plant a church in an “unchurched” area.

Finally, this is from Marcelo Sanchez Avila, in Brazil. I just don’t think there’s any other way he’s going to get one of these Bibles.

I like to receive the free ESV Study Bible because I think that to understand and know God is the best activity for man (Jer. 9:24) and this Bible is a good tool for that. I’m a Chilean student of theology who is in the Amazonic area of Brazil for study here. I don’t have money to buy books nor new Bibles.

Congratulations!

Honestly, I had a very difficult time picking five. Many people wanted to give the Bible to someone else who needed it. A few requests came from overseas. Some of you were convicted that you haven’t made more time for God’s Word. I wish I could give a Bible to everyone who wrote in! Holly told me that today is her birthday. So, happy birthday, Holly! (Sorry you didn’t win…)

And here are the five winners selected randomly by my wife, Julie:

Jim Mazzulla (a pastor who asked for an ESVSB for Christmas, but didn’t get one)
Lauren Majors (a mom of young kids)
Jeff Lewis (he and his wife expecting their first child in April)
Jason Nolte (on a tight budget)
Terry Thomas (ministers to high school students and military members)

You all should be receiving your ESV Study Bible this week.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway. I pray that even if you didn’t win, you’ll pursue the goal of reading through God’s Word this year, and consider buying one if you’re able (availabe at Amazon for $31.49). Even more importantly, I pray that God’s Word makes its way into our hearts, resulting in worship, obedience and gratefulness to our great Savior.

Psa. 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

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18 Responses to ESV Study Bible Giveaway Winners

  1. Greg Breazeale January 5, 2009 at 2:54 PM #

    Thankful I didnt apply! Not worthy to be mentioned with the winners. They deserve it! Very encouraging stories!

    GB

  2. John Melton January 5, 2009 at 3:01 PM #

    Thank you for the opportunity. I’m grateful for those much more well-deserving winners.
    john

  3. Jim Brown January 5, 2009 at 3:52 PM #

    May God bless you, your readers and all the winners.

  4. Peter P January 5, 2009 at 4:14 PM #

    Sad I didn’t win but then seeing the reasons that the winners gave, I realize I don’t even come close to being worthy.

    Thanks for the opportunity to enter and I hope and pray that God blesses those who did win and that this bible is a true source of inspiration and encouragement to them.

    Peter

  5. George Stack January 5, 2009 at 4:23 PM #

    I second what John said. After reading the winning emails, I am humbled at my submission. I plan to purchase a copy through Amazon very soon. Thanks again for your ministry.
    George

  6. Terry Thomas January 5, 2009 at 7:20 PM #

    Thank you very much. I look forward to reading through the study bible along with you and using it with my students and fellow military members.

    Blessings,

    Terry Thomas

  7. Joshua Lake January 5, 2009 at 7:45 PM #

    I must agree with everyone who has expressed how humbling it was to read the entries given by the winners. Thank you for your giveaway, and thank you for sharing with all of us the wonderful words of the winners.

    Josh

  8. LAUREN MAJORS January 5, 2009 at 11:05 PM #

    Yea! Yea! Yea! I am so excited! Thank you SO MUCH for giving me a new Bible to read. I cannot wait to dig in!

  9. Lew January 6, 2009 at 8:06 AM #

    Thanks Bob! I thank this is my third time trying to write this comment, words seriously can’t express my appreciation for being chosen. I am positive that this will be an excellent worship for disciplining my children and family devotionals!

  10. Juan January 6, 2009 at 12:42 PM #

    I am thirlled at winning! Cannot wait to start reading.

    Thank you!

    Juan

  11. Keith Willson January 6, 2009 at 10:10 PM #

    I guess I can’t find the way to eternal life now that I lost. Back to my drugs.

  12. Angelia Dittmeier January 6, 2009 at 10:10 PM #

    Oh, wow!!!!! I’m so excited. Thank YOU so very much!!!!

    Gratefully,

    Angelia

  13. Jim Mazzulla January 6, 2009 at 11:23 PM #

    Bob,
    I am so blessed first of all by the 5 you picked, quite touching entries.

    I really am thankful to our Lord for winning this Bible. I never win anything, but decided to submit my entry with excitement (like I had a chance of winning – LOL!)

    I pastor a very small and poor church in Pennsylvania.
    It has been a very, very trying year (2008) and still a lot of unanswered questions as I continue to seek God’s will.

    When this Bible first came out I wanted it in my heart, and like I said when I submitted my entry. I really thought it was coming my way as a Christmas present. When it didn’t come that way, I said LORD, I guess it will have to come at some other time in some other way.

    I have been fighting much discouragement and some depression. This was such an answer to prayer and it so lifted my spirits. Because I knew it was a love gift from my LORD. I plan to use it (and study it) to make me a more effective minister for my LORD.

    As you stated,

    “I picked five as “the best,” and picked five more randomly (although since God is sovereign, it wasn’t completely “random”).

    I so believe this was a sovereign (thus not random) choosing.

    I do thank you and your wife for being used of God.

    In His Service,
    Pastor Jim Mazzulla
    email: biblefood@gmail.com

  14. Teresa January 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM #

    Like Peter P. above, I was sad that I didn’t win, but realize my reason wasn’t worthy of winning compared to those that did. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, Bob.
    God bless!

  15. Terry Thomas January 12, 2009 at 6:49 PM #

    THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN!

    Your gracious gift arrived in the mail a few hours ago and all I can say is WOW!!!!

    In just the couple of hours that I have taken to skim over the ESVSB, I can see why there is so much excitement.

    Working and reading through this really will be like a mini-seminary education.

    Again thank you.

  16. Deron January 13, 2009 at 8:33 PM #

    Thank you for the generous spirit you’ve displayed. I didn’t win but feel so happy for those who did.

    What a great gift and what a great way to bring glory to Christ!

  17. Juan January 14, 2009 at 2:26 PM #

    The Bible showed up yesterday and it is awesome!

    Thanks once again. I know it will be of great use!

    God Bless

    Juan

  18. rickey carswell April 17, 2013 at 2:46 AM #

    I am a 52 year old man, with multiple health problems, but I do love Christ, and put all my trust in Him. My eyesight too has worsened over the past year, and I can not see how to read the precious Word Of God any more. I have to carry a magnifying lens with me so that I can read any thing. I love to study God’s word, but my eyes just won’t let me. I have no extra money after paying bills each month, and I just don’t have the money to get myself a large print ESV Study Bible. If you know of a way that I can get a Large Print ESV Study Bible, I would appreciate,so much, any help that you can give me. Your Friend In Christ, Rick Carswell,

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