Beautiful Lives: sharing our faith with friends and neighbours
£36.00 (Approx)
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Beautiful Lives is a group course which helps church members develop the confidence to share their faith naturally and effectively with friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. 1 Peter 3:2-4 speaks of the beauty and reverence which should characterise our lives as Christians, and this course is written in the conviction that it is beautiful lives, lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, which lead others to faith.
What do you get?
Glossy matching A5 booklets, for Leaders and Course members. Eight sessions plus outreach event after course.
Topics include:
- The growth of the Church in Acts.
- Go evangelism and Stay evangelism.
- How we live, Speaking and loving.
90 minutes per session (plus arrival time, coffee etc = 2 hours).
Who is it for?
Adult, Growing Christians, Sharing your faith, 4-10 people suggested per group.
Cost?
Leader’s manual: £8.00; Course member’s book: £3.50. Pack of Leader’s manual and 10 member’s booklets: £36.00.
Review
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What is the overall quality of the material?
Smart booklets, nicely laid-out material.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Clear and very practical. Debunks myth of evangelism being a scary subject only for the few, and makes naturally relating to unchurched friends and contacts possible.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Easy to follow. Very clear. Accessible layout. Icons. Timings given. Firm but gentle approach.
Who could lead it?
Leader with confidence about evangelism a bonus but not essential.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
Some icons, also pictures and graphics.
How good is any digital material?
N/A
How much prep will I have to do?
Sessions clearly explained so familiarisation with each one should not take long. Some require extra resource prep.
Is there website support? Links?
Not direct support for this course, but information and inspirational material on www.mathetestrust.org. However, the Mathetes Trust team offer support if you contact them, via site or phone.
Is it dated?
No.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Very well. All material is discussed, and honesty encouraged.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
Reading, discussing, writing, pairs work, prayer. No hands-on activities as such. Homework includes relationship-building as a priority.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
Adaptation welcomed. Reading and writing to do, but low-literacy members could be helped with this.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Extremely well, including very practical sections on how to talk with people. Homework after every session is specific and results shared with group. Very high on application.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
About half of the material is directly Bible-based, depending on topic.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Biblical material is basis for all topics, and engagement with specific passages a strong feature of whole course.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Biblical material as basis for rationale of course. Personal between session understanding and discovery encouraged, with very practical suggestions.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
ReSource has an ‘Anglican distinctive' but the course has nothing specifically Anglican in it.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
Material clearly aims to be very accepting, realistic and empowering.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
Basis of Beautiful Lives is the conviction that our lives have the potential to attract others to faith. So dependence on Holy Spirit, and growing in fruit of Holy Spirit, is essential.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Understanding of evangelism is based on loving people in a real way, building on real relationships.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
Encouragement to engage with friends and contacts in a real way that fosters honesty and care.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
Very practical course for enabling people to work out evangelism in their own lives. Includes opportunity to craft own story of conversion, whatever it is.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Emphasis on building good relationships, and treating people in a Christ-like way.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Not a focus.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Not a focus – but implicit in evangelism as a concept.