As someone who enjoys using videos as a teaching tool, it was with a great deal of anticipation that I opened the box containing volume one of Compass Cinema’s Modern Parable series. There is a great deal to like. Each of the three DVDs contains two modern retellings of one of Jesus’ parables. Each of the parab les is matched with a second application video in which one of a series of teachers review the parable, both in its original biblical context and the modern update. The written materials included, a Teacher’s Guide and Student Handbook, are well written and comprehensive. Then there’s the bonus material. Depending on your audience, the bonus material may provide some of the most interesting material found on the DVDs. Each of the parable films was filmed in a particular cinematic style. This extends to cinematography, music, etc… For each of the parables, there is both a running commentary, which may be accessed by looking for “Commentary” on the DVD main menu at the bottom. Along with the commentary, there are discussion questions which examine both biblical perspectives as well as cinematographic style. Brilliant!
Unfortunately, the obvious thought and effort which went into these materials doesn’t guarantee a fantastic product. While some of the parables themselves are well acted and make their point well, others are overdone and amateurish. The real problem, though, lies with the “Application videos”. I found those to be by and large unusable. With a couple of exceptions, I found those videos to be either preachy or boring, making them largely ineffective for the audience I would be targeting.
Bottom line? I would buy the videos, but I would also be prepared to use them judiciously and, most likely, to do my own application.
Nick Howard http://theosyllabic.wordpress.com/
Each of the parable films in Modern Parables, Vol. 1 can now be viewed and downloaded for free (in ipod format) at www.modernparable.com
Posted by: Anna | Mar 10, 2008 at 09:05 PM