The God Who is There (Books 1,2,3)
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
A discipleship course for small groups. The God Who is There: Books 1,2 and 3: ten sessions each, 90 minutes per session.
- Book 1 Beyond Ourselves: A course which explores the wider meaning of our lives.
- Book 2 The New Community: Finding God when we meet together.
- Book 3 Shining Like Stars: A course which helps Christians understand how God intends us to live in this world.
What do you get and how?
Spiral-bound leader’s book and softback member’s coursebook for each Book. Worship CDs for Books 2 and 3.
Course training available from www.mathetestrust.org.
Who is it for?
Enquirers and Beginning Christians
Cost?
Leaders manual £8 (Book 1), £15 (Books 2 and 3). Member’s coursebook £4
www.mathetestrust.org
Review
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What is the overall quality of the material?
Neat A5 books.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Clear overall aims, backed up by subtitles. Material is adapted for the West from Rooted in Jesus, hugely popular in Africa. Broad and deep exploration of Christian message and lifestyle.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Helpful tips and overall timings. Logical progressions. Some related pictures; suggestions, directions and things to say are not distinguished in layout or font. A highlighter pen would be useful. Designed to be adaptable. May need sensitive presentation for some groups as tackles big issues of life and faith in a very direct way.
Who could lead it?
Designed for mature Christian leaders, who are also prepared to meet with the group one to one outside session times.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
Members' workbooks contain summary and exercises. Latter seem to be powerful tools for progress through the course, but may need reproducing in a less wordy format for low-literacy groups. Preparation for upcoming session is also included.
How good is any digital material?
Worship music on CD (or substitute) regarded as essential part of course for Books 2 and 3. Clear production.
How much prep will I have to do?
Careful preparation recommended, with that highlighter pen. Good lists of needed materials per session. Thorough involvement with all members is assumed.
Is there website support? Links?
Course training available from www.mathetestrust.org,
Is it dated?
Shouldn't date quickly, apart from perhaps music and activity options.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Group-focused material, discussion encouraged. Difficult questions tackled head on.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
Mostly word-based, though in a good variety of ways. Meditation and prayer a priority. Some visuals, activities and hands-on exercises. Suggestions given for adapting to different groups. Worship element increases through the course.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
Any group size from 3 to 30. Adaptable for low-literacy groups. Material could be presented to suit group, but preparation needed.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
Members' workbook has exercises, which can be used individually or together. These exercises are carefully targeted to reinforce and personalise the session learning.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Theme-based biblical material throughout.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
See above. Essentially biblically-driven, around great themes of Christian belief. Everything biblically-backed. Memorisation of verses as part of course.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
Implicitly and explicitly, from meditation to situations. Extremely practical.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
Anglican roots with a vision to ‘help build a church which is diverse, local, renewed in the Spirit and effective in mission.' Adaptable to other traditions.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
Wide range of Christian discipleship covered, with clarity and biblically-grounded detail. Personal growth as a Christian is main focus, yet within community of others.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
Thorough exploration of Christian faith and lifestyle, with practical applications to make it real and life-transforming.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Deals unflinchingly with the sweep of Christian doctrine, step by step.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
All material instantly connected with implications for life situations, with relationships a strong emphasis.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
Session 10 in Book 3 ends with this as the disciple's priority cause.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
Not a major emphasis.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Not explicitly, but acknowledged.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Not an emphasis, though implicit in session 10, Book 3.