Bible Study Notes, by Anita S. Dole

Practical and spiritual Bible lessons for all ages

In the early 1950s, Anita S. Dole completed a graded set of Bible Study Notes intended for use in Swedenborgian Sunday Schools. Since then, they have become popular with Bible students all over the world. This is one of the finest sets of Bible lessons available today, offering both practical wisdom for daily life based on the Bible story itself and spiritual insights based on the symbolic or “correspondential” method of Bible interpretation taught by Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772).

Bible Study Notes, by Anita S. Dole, 6 volume set

The notes for each Bible story start with the basics for young children, and progress up through the age groups, adding more and more depth to the story as they go along, and culminating in the adult-level notes. Many adult readers find that the children’s lessons are just what they need to get a handle on the Bible stories! Yet even advanced Bible students will find a rare depth of understanding here.

Since these notes were written over sixty years ago, they have a “classic” feel about them. Yet the lessons for daily life and for a deeper, more spiritual view of the Bible stand the test of time.

On a personal note, Anita Dole was my grandmother. She was married to the Rev. Louis A. Dole (my maternal grandfather, many of whose sermons are posted here), and taught Sunday School for many years during his pastorates in Fryeburg and Bath, Maine. She also taught the teen class for many years at Fryeburg New Church Assembly. My father, the Rev. Dr. William R. Woofenden, edited this six volume set from its original looseleaf form.

To purchase the Bible Study Notes direct from the publisher, click on the image above, or on any of the title links.

Description from the publisher’s website:

Bible Study Notes, by Anita S. Dole, volume 1

This six-volume set, now available after years of being out of print, contains a multiyear course of study with a uniquely Swedenborgian view of the Bible.

Originally written for Sunday school teachers, the course is divided into five age groups: primary (ages 6-8), junior (ages 9-11), intermediate (ages 12-14), senior (ages 15-17) and adult. The lessons from each Bible story are geared toward the life experience and level of understanding of that particular age group, and Dole gives practical advice in each lesson for helping children—and adults!—relate to the Bible. Each lesson contains an overview of the points to be discussed, notes for parents and teachers, text with discussion questions for each age group, related readings from Swedenborg, and questions that review and test students’ understanding.

Now back in print after a three-year hiatus, this classic study tool is perfect for group study and individuals who want a structured approach to learning from the Bible.

• Vol. 1: Genesis
• Vol. 2: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges.
• Vol. 3: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Psalms.
• Vol. 4: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Matthew.
• Vol. 5: Mark, Luke.
• Vol. 6: John, Revelation.

Bible Study Notes, by Anita S. Dole
Six volumes, paperback, published by the
Swedenborg Foundation, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Volumes also available individually

Note: Sermons by Anita Dole’s husband, the Rev. Louis A. Dole, are available at the Louis A. Dole Sermon Archive.

About Lee

Lee Woofenden is an ordained minister, writer, editor, translator, and teacher. He enjoys taking spiritual insights from the Bible and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg and putting them into plain English as guides for everyday life.