Had a chance this week to preview a great new DVD-driven study. Taking Responsibility for Your Life, published by Zondervan is a 4 session study featuring teaching by Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor of North Point Community Church. Widely regarded as one of America’s most compelling communicators, Stanley is known for tackling tough issues in a biblical and creative way. This study is no exception.
There are several things to really love about Taking Responsibility for Your Life. First, although the DVD sessions are simply clips from a North Point weekend message series, Stanley is such a powerful communicator it will easily hold group member attention.
Second, group members will appreciate the clear and concise teaching. True to form, Stanley boils each message down to a single memorable takeaway.
Third, although a topical study, Stanley articulates the biblical concepts in a way that draws the principles from a single passage or parable. Pulling from the Genesis account of Adam and Eve, Paul’s teaching on sowing and reaping in Galatians 6, the Joshua 7 account of Achan’s sin and the rout at Ai, and Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, participants are provided a set of scriptural principles for taking responsibility.
Fourth, the leader’s guide is included in the participant guide, allowing easy facilitator rotation (if you’re group system makes a priority of developing additional leaders). In addition, the leader’s guide includes the bottom line for each session.
Finally, in addition to the clipped version of the messages to be used in the group meetings, the DVD also includes the full messages. Some groups will want to watch the full version.
I think groups are going to really get a lot out of Taking Responsibility for Your Life. If there is any downside, it is only that at $7.99 per study guide it would be more attractive if it were a six week study. At the same time, there is a lot to really like about Taking Responsibility. I love it…and I bet your groups will, too!
