Growing a Strong Marriage: Starting Strong

Hendrickson Publishers introduces Starting Strong,  the first in a video Bible study series called "Growing A Strong Marriage". The series, designed to help you strengthen and grow in your marriage. Whether you are in the early days of your marriage or have been married for over 50 years, your relationship is always going to need nourishment and tender loving care to survive and thrive.  

Volume 1, Starting Strong, teaches the importance of a strong Biblical foundation. Four DVD sessions, ranging from 8 to 20 minutes long, feature touching interviews and personal advice from:
John and Staci Eldredge
Chip and Theresa Ingram
Gordon and Gail MacDonald
Les and Leslie Parrott
Art and Lysa TerKeurst
Gary and Lisa Thomas

Hendrickson Publishers website

My Review: This marriage dvd series is a bit different than others I have gone through, but I like it. I was more familiar with some of the couples featured than others, but loved hearing the stories each shared. It actually seemed they were more part of the group and were opening the way for others to feel more comfortable about sharing. Starting Strong, the 1st volume of the Growing A Strong Marriage series is divided into four sessions:
Session 1 – How We Met
Session 2 – Foundation in Marriage
Session 3 – Identity in Christ
Session 4 – Paths to Christ in Marriage

Using these video clips, along with a wonderful study guide written by Amy McGowan, the facilitator of the group study is able to steer the conversations into ones that help the group get to know one another and for the couples to be able to open up to the group and one another. This is not a serious set of sessions for repairing deep hurts in a marriage, but more like a refreshing time to remember and reflect on how far you've come as a couple and the importance of keeping lines of communication open. I was especially glad to see the subject of satanic attacks on a marriage. That session definitely honed in on the importance of talking it out with your spouse AND to pray together as a couple for your marriage.

  I received a free copy of this product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

Restless DVD Study Kit - Jennie Allen

In Restless, an 8-session, video-based small group Bible study, Bible study teacher and author Jennie Allen helps you discover a practical plan to identify the threads of your life and how to weave them together for God's glory and purposes.Restless explores this important question: “Do I matter?” And Jennie asks, "We live with lots of things, lots of people…but do we live for something?”
Using the story of Joseph, Jennie explains how his suffering, gifts, story, and relationships fit into the greater story of God-and how your story can do the same. She also introduces Threads – a tool to help you see your own personal story and to uncover and understand the raw materials God has given you to use for his glory and purpose.
Filled with practical tools and biblical teaching, Restless will equip you to:

Make sense of the seemingly random relationships and activities of life

Redeem life's hurts and scars

Place your story in context with God's greater story

Sessions include:

• Introduction
• God’s Story
• Gifts
• Scars
• Place
• People
• Passion
• Holy Spirit

Kit includes DVD, study guide, leader's guide, and discussion card set.
(The info above is from the Thomas Nelson product page.)

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My Review: 'Restless' is a word I have used to describe myself for a couple of years now, so I jumped at the opportunity to review a curriculum based on that word. When I saw that it was going to be based on a study of Joseph and how his story is woven from tangled threads into a beautiful picture of God's ultimate plan for his life, it all made sense. As Jennie put it, "Untangling the threads of our lives and assembling them together in one place reveals a beautiful plan designed by the Creator himself: God's Agenda + my threads + the need + the Holy Spirit = my purpose."

This 8 part dvd curriculum, meant for small groups, is interactive for members to respond to each session. The topics bring a focus the unique threads in your life: the Gifts, Scars, Places, People, Passions that combine to make you the person you are and can be used to fulfill God's purpose in your life. A part that struck a nerve with me was when Jennie used the example, "Why would I teach a Bible Study when Beth Moore is in the world?" I know how quickly I back away from projects because there are so many who do it so much better. It is easy to be restless when you keep retreating to a place filled with fear and self-doubt. This isn't a study that goes deep into Scripture, but I feel that it is one that can be as beneficial to the mature believer as it can to those new or seeking faith. This is a study that can meet people where they are today.

I highly recommend this curriculum. Even if you have never led a study group before, there are clear instructions and suggestions on the best way to use your time. I also liked the discussion cards to be used; sometimes you need spark to ignite a conversation and these work great. Of course, when you are being transparent with others, there will need to be trust among the group. So, while it could be abridged to fit the needs of a larger group, but it is still suggested you break into more intimate groups for discussion. I liked it just as a personal study and plan to go back through it again without having to make the notes I needed as a reviewer. The kit comes with the dvd, the leader's guide, a participant's study guide and a discussion card set.


Disclaimer: I was provided with these materials at no cost to myself by Shelton Interactive. There was no requirement that I give a good review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Heaven Is For Real DVD Curriculum

The best-selling book about a 4 year old boy's visit to heaven is now a DVD-based conversation kit for churches and small groups. Each of the 5 video session features Todd, Sonja, and Colton Burpo , answering questions asked by Natalie Tysdal, the Denver FOX/CW News reporter.

Features include:
--5 (10- to 18-minute) video sessions featuring Todd, Sonja, and Colton answering frequently asked questions about heaven and their experiences
--A special message of hope from Sonja to women who have experienced miscarriages
--Conversation Guide written for both believers and non-believers in accessible language to help group members discover what the Bible teaches about heaven

I really wanted to like this, but frankly, I got a bit bored with the same predictable questions and answers. I had read the book, and I have to say that I have read others on the same subject that held my interest better. However, I had hopes the dvd would be a great tool for a small discussion group. I enjoyed a radio interview Todd Burpo had with Rick and Bubba (a nationally syndicated radio program headquartered in Birmingham, AL), so  I knew the potential was there for an interesting discussion. I am a Christian and have no doubt that Heaven is for real....and better than anything I can imagine. I do not doubt the veracity of this child in his telling of his experience, but this dvd curriculum appeared to be a hastily cobbled together production. Re-enactments, a bit more enthusiasm with the onscreen participants, indepth research, and better editing would have greatly improved this study. It was good points and it is a conversation starter, so I would rank this 3 out of 5 stars.

 Disclosure: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this material through BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Journey To Christmas

Journey To Christmas is a  new reality DVD series. The premise is to explore the events surrounding Jesus' birth on the actual location. It is a reality type program that follows a group of 5 people: Drew, a professing Christian who is seeking an encounter with God; Kim, a First Nations young woman who is interested in the tribal aspect of early Judaism; Nazareth, a visual artist who is interested in spirituality, artistry, and connecting with her ancestral heritage; Rory, an agnostic who was raised by a Jewish father and a Catholic mother and sees religion as being a divider of people; and Dusty May, an enthusiastic writer/painter/singer who is unabashedly Christian.

Local historian, Nizar Shaheen, guides the group and there is additional on-camera commentary from a team of Bible experts including astronomer Dr. Hugh Ross, ancient history expert Dr. Paul Maier, archeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Evans, Biblical times culture expert Claire Pfann, and others. Journey to Christmas lets you immerse yourself in the culture, places, and people surrounding the Nativity. Shot on ultra-high-definition film and packaged as a four-part DVD church curriculum, this is a fascinating look at the culture of 1st century Judaism and the birth of Jesus.

See the Journey To Christmas trailer here.

Although I was wary of anything that proclaimed to be a "reality show format", this was pretty good. I had a genuine interest in the thoughts the individuals shared about their experience and how it was affecting them. There was enough background info for me to connect with each person and get an idea of their point of view. The photography was outstanding and the commentary by the experts was extremely useful in helping to understand what was happening during that time. Quite often several explanations were given, usually with one being singled out as the most likely. I did enjoy looking at these Biblical towns now, but the highlight was the demonstrations of how life would have been at the time of Jesus' birth. The Christmas story was brought to life in a way that made it seem much more real. Too often we may have lofty ideas of  the "characters" of the Bible and forget they were flesh and blood people. Drew, Kim, Nazareth, Rory, and Dusty May had the chance to try the ancient garb, foods, and work that was the way of life in 5BC and walked away with a fresh understanding and a new appreciation of life in the Holy Land 2000+ years ago.

To learn more, check out http://journeytochristmas.com/.

In compliance with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission: Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this dvd. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

 

Magdalena: Through Her Eyes

Using JESUS (1979), the film that Campus Crusade For Christ has shared around the world in numerous translations as it's basis, Magdalena: Through Her Eyes adds supplemental footage to tell the story of Jesus through Mary Magdalene. We know from Luke 8:2 that Jesus freed Mary from 7 demons. She became one of His most devoted followers and was present when Jesus was crucified and buried. In the 20th chapter of John, we also learn that Mary Magdalene was the first of His followers to whom Jesus appeared.

On one hand, some of the acting and costumes in the Jesus film have always made me cringe, yet I also have an overwhelming appreciation for Scriptural accuracy in films that are straight from the Bible. I do think the additional scenes that have been added to tell the story of Jesus from more of a women's perspective are an improvement. 

What I really appreciated, though, was the 8 week Bible Study for women that came with this film! Reflections Of Hope presents Jesus as our Pursuer, Forgiver, Power for Living, Deliverer, Provider, Restorer, Living Water, & Friend. In this study, the women are presented the opportunity to view a clip, share their spiritual journey, learn relevant Scripture and how to apply it, and are challenged to go deeper into a relationship with our Savior. This is an excellent study whether you are a believer who simply needs reassurance during a tough time or a seeker who yearns to find the Truth. This would be very well used in a mentoring situation or support group. I highly recommend you check this out for yourself at their website: Jesusfilm.org/watch/Magdalena-2.html/english.html

See other films at the Free Gospel Video Streaming Library: Jesusfilm.org/watch.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”