Vertical Church: A New DVD-Driven Study from James MacDonald

Spent some time with the newest James MacDonald resource this week.   An 8 week study, Vertical Church: What Every Heart Longs For. What Every Church Can Be makes quite a proposition.  Neatly divided into two parts, “the first four weeks are a biblical exploration of humanity’s universal longing to experience God’s glory and the role of the church as God’s designated contact point with His people.”

Designed to help shift focus from “inadequate horizontal models of church to God’s design for vertical church,” the second half explores and examines “the how of vertical church.”  Examining what MacDonald positions as the four pillars of vertical church (unashamed adoration, unapologetic preaching, unafraid witness, and unceasing prayer), MacDonald explains that “a vertical focus positions a church to experience God’s presence and to show the world what it means to serve a God of awe-inspiring power and glory.”

One of America’s most popular Bible teachers, MacDonald is the founding/senior pastor of Chicago’s Harvest Bible Chapel, host of the radio show “Walk in the Word,” and author of several books and Bible studies, including “Gripped by the Greatness of God,” and “Ancient Wisdom.”

Filmed live at Harvest Bible Chapel, the church MacDonald serves in suburban Chicago, Vertical Church is anchored by 8 full length messages.  If you’re unfamiliar with MacDonald, you’ll come to appreciate right away why he is so popular.  A gifted communicator, these sessions at an average length of 35+ minutes hold the attention very well.

Along with the DVD, the member book provides several very important elements of the study.  Each of the 8 group sessions includes a viewing guide that helps keep participants engaged.  Fill-in-the-blank outline and main points allow members to follow the messages progression.  Along with the viewing guide, discussion questions are included that take the group deeper into the biblical truths that MacDonald explores.

The member book also includes 5 daily studies that further enhance the experience.  While a member will get a lot out of the DVD and group discussion, digging into the daily studies will provide a deep and rich experience.

If you have groups and Bible studies looking for a deep and challenging study on the church, Vertical Church delivers.

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