Recently we received a DVD to review and my husband was kind enough to do a very thoughtful review of it for you! Here's what he had to say:
"Intersect” is meant to be a resource for engaging those outside the church in meaningful conversations about the relevance of one's religious beliefs . Subtitled “where your story and God's story converge'” it features five short videos featuring people who describe actual situations in their lives and relate the impact their view of God had on their reactions and decisions. Events from the Bible which may involve similar situations are also explained. A brief discussion guide suggests questions to steer a discussion toward personal consideration of biblical claims about God.
The intent of “Intersect” is admirable, but I don't think the resulting resource will be very useful. The connections between the stories, scriptures and discussion hints seemed strained in some cases. Instead of bringing a solid translation of the scriptures to bear, “The Message” is used. And when the five-week series is completed – assuming that one's unchurched neighbors would engage in this process for that long – the whole thing could be easily dismissed with “that works for them, but why should I need a religious crutch?”
“Intersect” seemed to present Christianity as just one of many ways to demonstrate the power of developing a positive spin on the trials of life. I'm sure that's not the intent of Rob Peabody, Cris Rogers, and the rest of the Awaken Movement UK team. They've persevered in a difficult work and have laudable intentions with this resource, but regrettably, it seems to miss the mark.
Perhaps it's a cultural thing. This may have worked well in neighborhoods of London, but I think that much more could be accomplished by living out your faith before one's neighbors, letting them see your own “story” play out instead of sharing a stranger's story through video, and following Peter's advice to be ready to explain the hope your neighbors see in you.
{MORE ABOUT INTERSECT}
Intersect DVD (Awaken Movement, July 2015) Follow the journey of five individuals as they tell authentic stories of circumstances that have forced them to examine how God might fit into their lives. This five-week small group resource helps spark spiritual conversations. Starting spiritual conversations with those outside of the church is a worthy, yet often difficult and intimidating task. Intersect was designed to help overcome those barriers. It is an easy-to-use resource, perfect for sharing with co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family to enter into meaningful conversations. Each film is accompanied by thought-provoking questions designed to encourage participants to examine the world in which they live and the life they are pursuing, always ending with a conversation on how Jesus intersects the current topic. Allow this powerful new film resource to engage those you are in relationship with and then propel them forward in their next step with Jesus.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
{MORE ABOUT ROB PEABODY AND CRIS ROGERS}
Rob Peabody is the cofounder and international director of Awaken, a nonprofit that exists to resource the church for action. Awaken creates resources that inspire, educate, and equip local churches to live as Kingdom-bringers in their communities. In 2011, Rob and his wife, Medea, along with their two boys left his position as a lead campus pastor at a megachurch in Texas to pioneer and lead a church seeking to engage unreached 20s and 30s in northeast London. He is the author of “Citizen: Your Role in the Alternative Kingdom.” Cris Rogers is a writer, pastor, speaker, and church visionary. In 2010, he planted a church in the poorest area of London with a dream for it to be an explosion of joy within the tower block estate in which he works.Find out more about Rob Peabody at http://www.awakenmovement.com/home.
This reviewer has been compensated with receiving the product free in order to bring you an honest review. All opinions are those of the reviewer.
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