This resource complements the new release of The The Lutheran Edition with Notes. It provides a systematic and structured way to study the books of the Apocrypha which are new to many people. This 7 session resource will help participants pull out the unique background, history, and traditions of the books between the testaments.
I had bit of a love-hate relationship with this study guide, as you'll see.
What I liked about Study Guide to the Apocrypha: The connections made between sections of reading in The Apocrypha and Bible passages - The compare, contrast, and reflection on why these books were not included in the Bible are very well composed. I liked that the lessons really challenged me to think both critically and spiritually. The inclusion of the Leader Guide - I chose to take this on for and by myself, so there was no leader to guide me through. I would go through the student portion of the lessons and do my best with them before referring to the Leader Guide to see where I was on track, where I missed the mark, and to deepen the context and instruction.
What I didn't care for: The overall format of the study guide - I felt like the order in which the individual books were addressed was disconcerting as it jumped all over the place, and I wish that it hadn't left out some books all together, even if there had just been a brief summary and explanation of a particular book's content without delving in more deeply.
I could not have successfully made heads or tails of The Apocrypha without some sort of guidance, so I am glad that this study guide exists, even if I had some structural issues with it; the content made it worth it.