Customer Reviews

The Life You've Always Wanted: Six Sessions on Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People

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4 star:		(1)
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There are some reviews of the DVD saying that you don't need the participant's guide. I don't know what they were thinking. The guide has questions you need to lead a thoughful discussion of the material after watching each DVD's 10-15 minute session. If you don't have the guide, you'll be stuck because the video will instruct you to pause it and discuss certain questions. The questions are found in the guide: The Life You've Always Wanted Participant's Guide: Six Sessions on Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People (Groupware)

What I would say though, is you don't need a participant's guide for all the participants. Just buy one DVD, and one guide for the leader to use in guiding the discussion time. If the participants want more, have them buy the actual book, which is much more in-depth.

I had a few group members who would read the book chapters ahead of time, then the DVD at the group meeting was basically supplemental. I had other group members who didn't want to read the book, so the DVD and discussion at the group meeting were all they got.

As the group leader, I would recommend you buy this DVD, one of the participant guides mentioned above (for the leader to use), and encourage your group members to each buy the book for themselves. The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People The material of all it was good, prompted great discussions, and people connected with the material, and John's relatable style.

I have facilitated this as a Sunday school class and as a group leader for a home study. I strongly recommend using the book or study guide along with the dvd. I know a pastor's wife who finds value in rereading the book each year. Each session of the dvd is short enough to leave time for group discussion unlike others I have tried that ran too long. Ortberg is easy going and humorous but never strays from God's word and His desire for us to live a life filled with His love and grace as we grow in faith.

I read the book by Ortberg and was so moved that I decided to host a small-group series based on the topic. The DVD is very well done, and Ortberg's style of presenting is not only inspirational but fun. The participant's guide is a little overwhelming, so we've had to pick and choose what we discuss after the video portion -- there is far more material than can be handled in a one-hour session. I would recommend this video to any pastor or leader who wants to present some great material that will really help people grow spiritually. We did not ask people to read the book first, but after two sessions people indicated they wanted to buy the book to read.