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.