Marilyn Kimberley has done a great review of the Faith Lessons - That the World May Know series of DVD's from Focus on the Family. Please click "Read More" if you'd like to find out more about Bible lessons set in present-day Israel and Turkey.
FAITH LESSONS ( “THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW” .)
A 10 DVD Series produced by “Focus on the Family.”
Each DVD can be purchased separately, or in sets of varying sizes.
Also available separately for each DVD, is a Discovery Guide.
Each DVD includes at least 6 different Bible Lessons (some have many more) each conducted on the original site in either present-day Israel or Turkey. One can just watch the series as if one is a passive participant on a Holy Land tour, or study groups can watch and discuss the principals revealed in each Bible Lesson using the Discovery Guide. In addition, enclosed with each DVD is a special sheet that outlines the Bible references used and some application principals (so the Discovery Guide isn’t totally necessary if you are just watching the DVD).
The “tour” guide and author is Dr. Ray Vanderlaan. He is the founder of “That the World May Know” Ministries and creator of the “Faith Lessons “ video series with Focus on the Family. An ordained minister, in the Dutch Reformed Church, he holds the chair of biblical cultural studies as a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Holland, Michigan.
You can preview two examples of Ray’s style of teaching--on Youtube.
“RUN” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cizsb_GE_zc
“Fire on the Mountain” –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELpnh-yGQbw&feature=related
This Series is marvellously suitable for Bible Studies and small groups. If you can’t take a tour of Israel and Turkey, this is a great substitute-perhaps even equal to an actual tour! Although I would not recommend showing them to a Children’s General Sunday School class, older children in established Christian homes may enjoy and comprehend these!
Here are some general reviews on Faith Lessons - selected randomly from ChristianBook.com’s web site!
1. Fascinating and faith-building! The archaeological discoveries revealed in this series provide even more reason to believe the Bible. More importantly, these videos make the word of the Bible explode with new relevance by revealing their historical and cultural context!
2. Filmed on location in Israel and Turkey, Faith Lessons are in-depth video tours of the buried, distant, or otherwise forgotten places where the stories of the Bible actually happened. By weaving together fascinating historical, cultural, religious and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen insights into the Scriptures' significance for believers in this day and age.
3. “We spent 18 days in Israel in 1987, visiting many of the sites shown in the DVD series, but we sincerely wish we had been able to see Ray Vander Laan's explanations prior to our visit. His series of Faith Lessons are the best of its kind we have ever seen, bringing the Scriptures to life. We are giving out copies as gifts, and encouraging others to buy the set, also. They have been a real blessing to us, and have helped us in our Christian walk. “
4. “THESE ARE WONDERFUL!! I have six children and live in Wyoming. The end of May was coming and the kids (Ages 18, 16, 14, 11, 9, and 7) were excited to be out of school. We were going to buy a trampoline for the back yard... as money is tight and every purchase is well thought, planned and prayed about. After our church began showing Ray Vander Laan's Faith Lesson DVD's every Sunday, the kids decided as a family to purchase this Faith Lesson Set instead of the trampoline! The teaching is SUPER, the lessons are fantastic! This is one of the BEST investments we've ever made! Ray is an excellent teacher and these DVD's put you right into the stories of the Bible! WONDERFUL!!!
These are the various titles in the series:
Vol 1. Faith Lesson on the Promised Land (Crossroads of the World)
Vol 2. The Prophets & Kings of Israel,
Vol 3. The Life and Ministry of the Messiah.
Vol 4. The Death and Resurrection of the Messiah
Vol 5. The Early Church
Vol 6. In the Dust of the Rabbi
Vol 7. Walk as Jesus Walked
Vol 8. God Heard their Cry
Vol 9. Fire on the Mountain
Vol 10. With All Your Heart
I have personally watched and Studies volumes 1-6 and used several of them in a small group situation. I am looking forward to getting the newer Volumes. I have DVD’s prior to the revision of the Discovery Guide Instead, I have a leader’s guide and an individual work book for each of these titles. Therefore I cannot review the Newer Discovery Guides! But, the older study notes were easy to understand and to follow and excellent in their application. So, I expect the revised Discovery Guide to be even better.
Although I have never personally visited Israel, my knowledge of Isreal’s topography, trade routes, city architecture, agriculture culture and religious customs at varying times throughout history, has gone from zero to familiar! This is solely due to the excellent topographical maps, aerial photography, illustrations, diagrams, and photographs of various archeological sites and tales from these DVD’s. Through Dr. Vanderlaan’s knowledge and vivid story-telling ability and the on-site situation, the present-day student, feels like a fellow sojourner with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Paul or Jesus.
The cost of each DVD varies- from $26.99 US, to $29.99 US. The first seven lessons in a set is priced at $199 US, and the entire 10 volume set is
$259. 99 US – prices quoted from http://www.christianbook.com
Shipping extra (and fast!!) .
Canadian distributers’ prices are closer to $40 each.
Each Discovery Guide (a different one for each DVD) is available for $7.99 US
For the Faith Lessons website, please go to: http://www.faithlessons.net/
