Y'all - I am so blessed to share with you today a review of the newest Bible study from Jennie Allen. It's called Restless and it came out earlier this year. It is such a fantastic study and I hope that my Monday night Bible study group might pick it for a study in the future because I think everyone can benefit from it.
The Restless study is the same format as the Chase study by Jennie Allen which I reviewed last year. The set comes with a DVD, a study guide, a leader guide and a set of discussion cards. There are eight sessions to the study and each session begins with a DVD session that lasts between 20 and 25 minutes. Each session deals with a different aspect of feeling restless in our lives. The eight sessions are: Restless, God's Story, Gifts, Suffering, Place, People, Passions, Mystery.
I love the DVD sessions. I feel like they are real and I think we learn the most and can relate the best to something that is real. I think a lot of time in church and Bible study people try to sugar coat things and pretend everything is perfect. Instead, we should be able to share with one another the messiness of life and not be judged because we are keeping it real.
The study guide is extremely thought provoking and uses a lot of scripture, which I like. The questions are geared towards opening up discussion in a group but they also allow the reader to take a deep look at what's underneath. These are not what I would call surface questions or a surface discussion. Again, it is very real and provokes real discussion and I just feel like this study is a great tool to help you get to know the people in your study group on a deeper level which will enable us to help each other through the circumstances of life.
The discussion cards are also great. There are 105 cards, 12-13 cards for each session and are designed for use with the DVD. They are designed for each person in the group to randomly grab a card and then feel comfortable enough to discuss the question on the card with the group. I love cards like this because each answer is different and personal and again, helps you get to know the people in your study group.
The leader guide is a great tool as well, helping the leader better prepare for leading a group. There are extra questions and prompts for discussion, but if your group is like mine, then prompts are probably not needed. Still, it's a great tool for preparing to lead the group for the study.
Restless is a really great Bible study. One of the questions in the summary on the study book describes it best, "What would happen if God got bigger than your fear and insecurity, and you spent the rest of your life running after his purposes for you?" This study will help you towards your goal of feeling secure and comfortable about your Christianity and your place in God's kingdom. If you feel restless and are looking for a way to help overcome it, this study is for you and I would encourage you to try it.
Showing posts with label Bible Study Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Study Review. Show all posts
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Bible Study Review: Love Does Study DVD and Guide
Recently I was provided an opportunity to review the new Love Does, a DVD Study: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff and today I'm going to share with you my thoughts on the study which was released on December 31.
I'm sure many of you are familiar with Mr. Goff's book, Love Does. I had heard a lot of people mention it and seen a lot of people carrying it around and even seen some things on Twitter about it, but had never taken a moment to look at what the book was all about. When I saw that the Love Does DVD Study was one of my options to review through Booksneeze, I decided to jump at it seemed that so many people loved the book. I also went ahead and ordered the book through Amazon, thinking it might help aid me in my study. As is often the case though, I never found the time to actually read the book and so it is still on my to do list. I have read a few passages from it and so far I have really liked what I read and have no doubt that the book will be just as wonderful as everyone has led me to believe.
The Love Does Study would be really great for a small group Bible study for men or women or even a combined group. Here is a brief description from the back of the study guide: "Love Does is a five-session video-based small groups experience in doing the love of God. Each session explores a different aspect of God's active love through the stories of Bob Goff. This study guide will help you dig into each topic in a guided Bible study and small group time with discussion questions, hands-on exercises, and further activities to engage the content of your own between sessions."
As mentioned in the blurb, there are five session which include, 1. I'm With You, 2. Free to Fail, 3. Audacious Love, 4. Be Not Afraid, and 5. Follow Me. Each session begins with an introduction in the study guide and then an applicable Bible passage which relates to the story and topic of discussion. The video is up next and each video portion is less than 15 minutes long. Following the video, there are a series of questions related to the topic for the group to discuss. After the group questions, there is a section about putting love into action and then the last section is for a closing prayer with a verse or thought on what the group should pray about. There are additional Bible passages and discussion questions in the study guide for the leader of the group to help move things along or to help aid in further dialogue between the group members.
While I have not yet completed all five lessons of the Love Does study, I can say with certainty that I believe this would be a great route to go with small group Bible study and if you are looking for a study, I would recommend this one. I believe that through the Love Does study, your small group will be able to better understand how to love others the way God loves us.
The Love Does study DVD is available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and retails for around $20. The study guide that accompanies the DVD is also available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and retails for less than $10.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Book Review: The Adventure Bible Storybook
I am so pleased to review for you today the Adventure Bible Storybook. This is a storybook and CD set released by Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan and it would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the young children in your family!
There are two CDs in the set, one which covers the Old Testament and one covers stories in the New Testament. Each story on the CD is less than four minutes long which is great for holding the attention of small children. The story is told, not verse by verse, but in more of a summary with different voices and also background noises such as animals, or rain, etc and at the end of each story is a "words to treasure" section, which can be used as a memory verse with your child.
The Old Testament covers Adam and Eve , Moses, The Plagues, David and Goliath, Esther and Jonah and a few others. The New Testament covers the birth and baptism of Jesus, Jesus Walking on Water, various miracles of Jesus, Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection, and the journeys of Paul. This is obviously not an entire layout of either the Old or New Testament, since it is only two discs, but most of the major stories that kids learn about in Bible school are included.
The book that accompanies the CDs is so great. There are vividly and beautifully drawn pictures which are sure to capture the attention of children. Kids can follow along in the book as the CD is being played which is sure to help them better understand and envision the stories of the Bible.
Some liberties are taken in telling the stories in that the Bible characters may carry on a conversation that isn't in the Bible, but one that could very well have taken place. No scripture is taken out of context, which is exceptionally important.
This is such a great way for children to enhance their Bible knowledge or if they are not familiar with the Bible, it would be a great way to introduce it. As mentioned, it would make a great gift for any child. The set sells at a reasonable price at various retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Review: Chase - A DVD Based Bible Study
I recently was given the wonderful opportunity of reviewing a Bible study by Jennie Allen. The study is actually a DVD-based Bible study for women titled Chase - Chasing after the heart of God and it is a fantastic study released by Thomas Nelson publishers.
The study is based on King David who is, as you may recall, one of my favorite Bible characters. You see, King David was a man after God's own heart, and shouldn't we as followers of God pattern ourselves to be after God's own heart as well? In today's society, we get caught up in so many different things that we often forget about or put God on the back burner when really he should be at the forefront of our every moment.
This DVD study comes with one disc, which has an introduction and seven lessons on it. Each lesson is approximately 10 minutes in length with an inspirational message from Jennie Allen. The message she speaks isn't lofty or holier than thou, but is actually a message that I think most every woman can relate to and understand.
The seven topics are: Identity (What's defining you?), Courage (If we are truly courageous then we have nothing to lose), Obedience (The more we trust God, the more we obey him), Belief (The basis of our relationship with God), Repentance (We must see our sin in order to see our need for God), Surrender (Don't let your circumstances dictate whether or not you surrender yourself to God) and finally Chased Down (God chased us down through Jesus). The seven topics of discussion make this study ideal for a seven week study - covering one topic per week.
In addition to the disc with the message from Jennie, the set also comes with a study book. The study book is interactive in that there are a lot of though provoking questions and as well as scriptures and other messages that should help prompt discussion in your group. The books are available separately from the DVD set and can be purchased for around $10 each. If you are thinking of pulling together a group of girlfriends to study these lessons together, then I would suggest that each person purchase a study book. The book has space for note taking and for answering questions and is something that each woman can have to look at through the week before each lesson.
There is also a book for the group leader so that the woman leading the Bible study can steer the group in the right the direction. The leader book provides a main idea for the lesson, a main goal, provides points of discussion, additional scripture and homework discussion for the group.
One of the things I love most about the study are the conversation cards that come in the box set. There are a set of cards for the introduction and each of the seven lessons. Each card has a thought-provoking message or question on it which can be discussed amongst the group or the just by the person who draws the card.
This is truly one of the best Bible studies I have done in a long time. I really enjoyed every minute of it. I actually did each of the lessons by myself for this review but am interested in doing a group study with some of my close friends or even the girls from my class at church. I think we could all get a lot out of this study and I feel like I could get even more out of it when study with other people and hearing their perspective on these same topics. In the end it all comes down to one question - what are you chasing? Shouldn't it be the heart of God?
If you are in the market for a great Bible study for your small women's group, then I encourage you to give Chase a try. It currently retails for less than $30 on Amazon for the entire set, which is a really great bargain.
I was provided a Q&A with the author Jennie Allen which can be found below. For more information on the Jennie, please click here.
Why is the story of David in Chase one that you feel women today need to hear?
Jennie: David is the wild, passionate, warrior king, but something about the way he related to God
has wrecked me. His view of God was so big. David actually believed God and he lived like it. I think as a generation of women, we are longing for the same lives. We want to believe God is real and to live like it.
This is not a study for people wanting to play it safe... This study messes with you because we all are chasing things other than God, and when you look into the life of someone chasing God himself... God alone, you start craving that. I want a life like David’s, brave and dependent and full of worship. He had a relationship with God unlike any other in Scripture; honestly, unlike any other I've ever seen. I want to know God like he did and trust God like he did.
How will women relate to Chase who have already completed your first Bible study, Stuck?
Jennie: Chase is a natural next step after Stuck... after you work through areas that are holding you back... naturally you want to run. Chase is more adventurous and helps women dream about all that God wants for us here, about how to live a life pointed squarely on Him. But Chase has the same interactive and relational format people loved in Stuck and great conversation starters over Scripture and projects to flesh out what you just studied.
How can small group leaders, groups of friends and others use your studies, like Chase, to dig deeper into God’s Word?
Jennie: Every study begins with Scripture, and the entire time you are going back to God’s Word together, but this is a lot more than an intellectual examination of Scripture. My prayer is that this would be a place where truth and experience come together. I designed these studies to take women from the point of understanding the truth all the way to the point of living that truth. From the personal questions to the projects that make you face your doubts about God.... it feels a little scary but I love that these studies push us to places of faith. There aren't easy answers, and it makes us wrestle with God - not just check boxes and fill in blanks.
What do you hope that women discover most about themselves and about God after experiencing Chase?
Jennie: I think a lot of us are tired and we would like to please God, but it feels like it would take a lot of effort to do that. Chase seems to be an experiment in what it is God wants from us. The more I understand what God has done, the more I quit striving and rest in Him. David rested in the work of God - in God’s favor - in the plans God had written for him. Whether you are running from God or working your tail off to please Him, this man’s journey will challenge your view of God.
As you continue to grow as a Bible study teacher and author, what are you learning?
Jennie: The theme seems to be clear in my life.... this is not about me. My job will always be simply to push everyone up to the face of Jesus, because I believe He is actual, tangible hope. Not one other thing gives hope that lasts longer than a few minutes... Jesus offers hope for the biggest problems and He resolves them forever. Where else do we go but Him? That is my job and I pray I keep my head down and just play my small role in His plan.
The study is based on King David who is, as you may recall, one of my favorite Bible characters. You see, King David was a man after God's own heart, and shouldn't we as followers of God pattern ourselves to be after God's own heart as well? In today's society, we get caught up in so many different things that we often forget about or put God on the back burner when really he should be at the forefront of our every moment.
This DVD study comes with one disc, which has an introduction and seven lessons on it. Each lesson is approximately 10 minutes in length with an inspirational message from Jennie Allen. The message she speaks isn't lofty or holier than thou, but is actually a message that I think most every woman can relate to and understand.
The seven topics are: Identity (What's defining you?), Courage (If we are truly courageous then we have nothing to lose), Obedience (The more we trust God, the more we obey him), Belief (The basis of our relationship with God), Repentance (We must see our sin in order to see our need for God), Surrender (Don't let your circumstances dictate whether or not you surrender yourself to God) and finally Chased Down (God chased us down through Jesus). The seven topics of discussion make this study ideal for a seven week study - covering one topic per week.
In addition to the disc with the message from Jennie, the set also comes with a study book. The study book is interactive in that there are a lot of though provoking questions and as well as scriptures and other messages that should help prompt discussion in your group. The books are available separately from the DVD set and can be purchased for around $10 each. If you are thinking of pulling together a group of girlfriends to study these lessons together, then I would suggest that each person purchase a study book. The book has space for note taking and for answering questions and is something that each woman can have to look at through the week before each lesson.
There is also a book for the group leader so that the woman leading the Bible study can steer the group in the right the direction. The leader book provides a main idea for the lesson, a main goal, provides points of discussion, additional scripture and homework discussion for the group.
One of the things I love most about the study are the conversation cards that come in the box set. There are a set of cards for the introduction and each of the seven lessons. Each card has a thought-provoking message or question on it which can be discussed amongst the group or the just by the person who draws the card.
This is truly one of the best Bible studies I have done in a long time. I really enjoyed every minute of it. I actually did each of the lessons by myself for this review but am interested in doing a group study with some of my close friends or even the girls from my class at church. I think we could all get a lot out of this study and I feel like I could get even more out of it when study with other people and hearing their perspective on these same topics. In the end it all comes down to one question - what are you chasing? Shouldn't it be the heart of God?
If you are in the market for a great Bible study for your small women's group, then I encourage you to give Chase a try. It currently retails for less than $30 on Amazon for the entire set, which is a really great bargain.
I was provided a Q&A with the author Jennie Allen which can be found below. For more information on the Jennie, please click here.
Why is the story of David in Chase one that you feel women today need to hear?
Jennie: David is the wild, passionate, warrior king, but something about the way he related to God
has wrecked me. His view of God was so big. David actually believed God and he lived like it. I think as a generation of women, we are longing for the same lives. We want to believe God is real and to live like it.
This is not a study for people wanting to play it safe... This study messes with you because we all are chasing things other than God, and when you look into the life of someone chasing God himself... God alone, you start craving that. I want a life like David’s, brave and dependent and full of worship. He had a relationship with God unlike any other in Scripture; honestly, unlike any other I've ever seen. I want to know God like he did and trust God like he did.
How will women relate to Chase who have already completed your first Bible study, Stuck?
Jennie: Chase is a natural next step after Stuck... after you work through areas that are holding you back... naturally you want to run. Chase is more adventurous and helps women dream about all that God wants for us here, about how to live a life pointed squarely on Him. But Chase has the same interactive and relational format people loved in Stuck and great conversation starters over Scripture and projects to flesh out what you just studied.
How can small group leaders, groups of friends and others use your studies, like Chase, to dig deeper into God’s Word?
Jennie: Every study begins with Scripture, and the entire time you are going back to God’s Word together, but this is a lot more than an intellectual examination of Scripture. My prayer is that this would be a place where truth and experience come together. I designed these studies to take women from the point of understanding the truth all the way to the point of living that truth. From the personal questions to the projects that make you face your doubts about God.... it feels a little scary but I love that these studies push us to places of faith. There aren't easy answers, and it makes us wrestle with God - not just check boxes and fill in blanks.
What do you hope that women discover most about themselves and about God after experiencing Chase?
Jennie: I think a lot of us are tired and we would like to please God, but it feels like it would take a lot of effort to do that. Chase seems to be an experiment in what it is God wants from us. The more I understand what God has done, the more I quit striving and rest in Him. David rested in the work of God - in God’s favor - in the plans God had written for him. Whether you are running from God or working your tail off to please Him, this man’s journey will challenge your view of God.
As you continue to grow as a Bible study teacher and author, what are you learning?
Jennie: The theme seems to be clear in my life.... this is not about me. My job will always be simply to push everyone up to the face of Jesus, because I believe He is actual, tangible hope. Not one other thing gives hope that lasts longer than a few minutes... Jesus offers hope for the biggest problems and He resolves them forever. Where else do we go but Him? That is my job and I pray I keep my head down and just play my small role in His plan.
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