November 2001

Dear Friends,

During World War II the American Bible Society asked 100,000 American chaplains and ministers to select the chapter from the Old or New Testament "that made the greatest appeal to members of their congregations." Thirty-three favorite chapters were selected. The top ten favorites were: John 14, Psalm 23, Matthew 5, Romans 8, I Corinthians 13, Psalm 91, Matthew 6, John 3, Psalms 46, and Romans 12. This 1943 survey was reported in an article titled: "The Bible Is Still the World's Best Seller" in a magazine called "The Woman with Woman's Digest." I have the list of all 33 favorites, if you are interested in knowing the other favorites of that era.

Do you have a favorite chapter of the Bible? What is it? Why?

Other topics covered in this e-newsletter include:
- the Blue Letter Bible on the Internet;
- complimentary books for churches and libraries;
- Esther's bracelets;
- lesser known women of the Bible worksheet.

The Blue Letter Bible

One Internet resource for Bible study that I like is called the Blue Letter Bible. The feature at this site that I use most frequently has to do with James Strong's numbering system for the words in the King James Version and the two lexicons (in Hebrew and in Greek.) I am much more likely to research a word using this fun site than I am to sit down with the books.

Here's an example of what you can learn from a lexicon. I decided to research the word translated "kindness" in verse 10 of Isaiah 54. I quickly found that this word has been assigned the number 02617 by Strong. The Hebrew word is "checed." There are 248 instances of verses containing this word, according to Strong's. Most often in the KJV the word was translated mercy (149 instances.) Twenty times, the word kindness was selected. Lovingkindness and goodness were among the other popular word choices by the translators. The Blue Letter Bible enables you to quickly review all the verses with the Hebrew word "checed." This tool helps the Bible student better understand the full and original meanings of words.

Here's the verse in Isaiah which prompted this example: "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."
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Books for churches and libraries

In honor of the brave individuals who sacrificed their lives on September 11 to help others, Bible Teaching Press is donating 100 copies of my book, "That Ye May Teach the Children." If you know of a public library or a church Sunday School (of any denomination) that would like a copy, would you please let us know. Please email or call us with the name and address of an interested library or church. Please include the name and telephone number of an individual connected with the institution. We made this offer in September and still have some of the original 100 books left.
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Esther's Bracelets

Recently our daughter Amy was looking through a cookbook of cookie recipes. She found a recipe for Esther's Bracelets. Those of you with children or grandchildren might like to expand on a Bible story session by making these cookies after you tell them about Esther, Mordecai and Haman. If you'd like the recipe, please just email me. Although I have not yet made them myself, the recipe sounds good, and it's from a Betty Crocker cookbook.
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Here is a new Bible Study Worksheet consisting of eight questions. The worksheet may be copied into a word processing program and used as a review for your Sunday School class. It is probably best suited for a class of sixth graders. (Having said that, two of these Bible characters are from short stories that I had never read carefully before this year -- Huldah and the "wise woman" of Abel.)

Bible Study Worksheet: Lesser Known Women of the Bible

Spiritual seers mentioned in the Bible were both male and female. Huldah was a prophetess who "dwelt in Jerusalem in the college." Please name the king of Judah who consulted Huldah concerning the book of the law found in the temple. II Kings 22:1-20

Miriam the prophetess took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances, according to the book of Exodus. Please name Miriam's two brothers.
Exodus 15:20-22

In the book of Genesis we can read the story of Tamar. Her first two husbands (who were brothers) die before she has children. She ends up having twin sons who are fathered by her father-in-law. Please name Tamar's father-in-law, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Genesis 38:1-30

A wise woman from the city of Abel negotiated with Joab regarding a plan to save her city from destruction. Joab was the military general for a powerful king. Please name this Hebrew king.
II Samuel 20:15-22

When Jesus was a baby, his parents took him to the temple in Jerusalem. Two older people at the temple immediately recognized that Jesus was the promised Messiah. One was named Simeon. Please name the prophetess who gave thanks unto the Lord for Jesus. Luke 2:25-39

A woman named Rahab lived in Jericho. She cooperated with the Hebrews by hiding some spies. Please name the leader of the Hebrew people who arranged for Rahab and her family to be spared when they burnt the city with fire. Joshua 6:1-27; Hebrews 11:31

A woman of Samaria went to a well to draw water. There, she met someone who knew that she had had five husbands and was currently living with someone to whom she was not married. Whom did this woman of Samaria meet? John 4:1-30

Priscilla and her husband were Paul's "helpers" in the early Christian church. Church services were held in their house. All three of them were tentmakers. Please name Priscilla's husband.
Acts 18:2, 3

Hope you have found this e-newsletter interesting and helpful.

Yours truly,

Joan Koelle Snipes

Published six times a year by:

Bible Teaching Press
2016 Willowdale Drive
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

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