The just-released sampler for The Lutheran Study Bible is already creating quite the buzz across the Internet as people are downloading and taking a look, for the first time, at precisely what The Lutheran Study Bible is going to look like and the features it offers. Before they headed home for the Good Friday holy-day, the good folks at Concordia Publishing House posted a little Easter gift for all of us to enjoy: the official sampler for The Lutheran Study Bible. It is ready now for you to download, view, and pass along to your various groups and networks. We designed this to make it possible for you to print it out and then make copies to distribute. This forty-eight page document features: a comparison chart of various study bibles; the story of The Lutheran Study Bible; a graphic overview of the Study Bible’s key features; samples from Genesis, the Psalms, John, and the Book of Romans; and finally, the names of the contributors to The Lutheran Study Bible.

Here is what people are saying after taking a look at the sampler. I’m sharing comments that have come in to my blog site and Facebook page. Very encouraging! Please forward this information to others.

“I printed out the section on the Gospel of John to read. It was a whole new experience reading these Bible passages in the ESV translation in conjunction with notes based on Lutheran scholarship throughout. I especially enjoyed reading comments by Luther and others, and the short prayers embedded in the notes were a helpful devotional guide. I don’t quite know how to express the joy and excitement I felt as I read through this scripture passage and the notes–it was almost as if I had a Lutheran pastor there with me, explaining things and helping me to understand my faith. I have seen no other study Bible like it. I have a well-worn copy of the NIV study Bible published by Concordia, but honestly, there is no comparison when it comes to the study helps and notes. I am eager to own a copy of my own! “— Beth

“This looks awesome! I may up my purchase to add a second copy! “— PHW

“A quick once over… looks EXTRAORDINARY! I am very much looking forward to the Reformation release!”— Darryl

“The artwork included on the pages is amazing! I like the features and the chapter introductions. It really gives it a good presentation–makes you want to read everything on the page! ” — Jennifer

“This is really awesome, I can’t wait!” — Rick

Here is the link to the sampler. It is a large PDF file, nearly 13 megabytes, so it will take a few minutes to download, and if you are on dialup, you’ll have time to grab a cup of Joe.  Enjoy! (when you click the link, the document will start to download to your computer.