“The DVDs are an awesome tool for use in our four classes each week. It doesn’t get any better than to have Dr. Harry Wendt leading us through The Divine Drama,” says Pastor Scottie Burkhalter, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Greer, South Carolina.
“I use The Divine Drama DVD:
1. Sunday mornings (50 minutes) for our Faith Strengthening Confirmation class of 8th-11th graders: My goal is for the youth to view the DVD and do the introductory questions. I hope to ignite their interest so that they will be encouraged to dig deeper into Scripture.
I add the words "Faith Strengthening" for the class title, so as to create a fresh approach to what we traditionally call Confirmation, and encourage Bible discussions to occur more frequently in our homes. Parents and caregivers of kids occasionally do attend the class, so I know that we are indeed going deeper into family circles. To have parents and youth using the materials to study together is what I hope will continue happening. I pray that all Christians will see themselves as lifelong students of the Word.
2. Monday evenings (1½ - 2 hours) with adults: I try to consider the microwave society in which we live and attract folks with ‘just enough time’. The class opens with prayer, followed by review questions from the previous week, and the DVD then shown for the next unit. Sometimes it works well to stop after each section (picture) and discuss the manual’s questions for that current unit. Keeping the class moving in order to finish on time is the real challenge. I seek out class participants who are quite knowledgeable of Scripture and encourage them to enter into more of the discussions with hopes that they can help lead the class whether I am present or absent.
3. Tuesday mornings at the Tyger River Correctional Institute, Enoree, SC:
In cooperation with the prison chaplain, I have two hours for this class from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. They are already asking me if I will next do Crossways with them. The CI materials are certainly a blessing in this ministry.
4. Tuesdays with adults during lunch (12:30 – 2:30 PM) at our church: I lead this group the same as on Monday evenings, and I again seek out biblically knowledgeable gals/guys and encourage them to be leaders of similar classes in the future.
“One of my goals for all of our classes is to multiply our Bible study efforts at Redeemer Lutheran and get more people into God’s Word by involving additional class leaders. Crossways International biblical resources are all that I use; I have found no better material anywhere!” concludes Pastor Burkhalter.
