The Explicit Gospel

If you like Matt Chandler, you’re going to want to add The Explicit Gospel Bible Study to your recommended list.  If you don’t know him yet, this study will be a great introduction to the lead pastor at The Village Church. one of America’s most dynamic preachers.  DVD-driven, Chandler’s delivery will easily capture and hold your group members’ attention.

I love this paragraph from the introduction: “Over the next six weeks I want to challenge you to grasp the centrality of the gospel for all of the Christian life, from the moment of salvation, through the lifelong process of sanctification, and continuing into eternity.  We’ll see how the glory of God reigns supreme over every moment in His plan for our lives and how the cross captures and resurrects our dead hearts.  We’ll also see that the gospel is not just personal but cosmic.  Christ’s atoning work reveals God’s plan of redemption from the beginning of time to the end of time.  The gospel fulfills the longing of all creation to be made new in Christ.”

A six-session DVD-Driven study, each session is anchored by teaching by Matt Chandler.  The sessions average 30 minutes and with most other speakers would be too long.  In my opinion…not with Chandler.  Great insight into a challenging topic, passionate delivery, and compelling communication make these sessions fly by.

The participant guide has a number of very good segments.  The viewer guide will help your members listen with an eye for the outline and the respond section will help them being to wrestle with the key ideas of the message.  While there isn’t a leader’s guide, the questions should take most groups along a path that is easily followed.  Additionally, the questions include enough meat to provide a good challenge.

In addition to guiding the small group meeting, the participant guide also includes 5 personal daily assignments for each session.  Participants will work through the assignments in preparation for the next session.  These assignments will be challenging for some, but the discipline will be well worth it for the understanding of the gospel.

Want to dig in even deeper?  Just published in March, 2012, Lifeway has published The Explicit Gospel, a 233 page hardback by Chandler and Jared Wilson.  Rick Warren wrote that “If you only read one book this year, make it this one.  It’s that important.”

I like where this study will take a group.  If you have groups that are looking for challenge, this might be the one.  If you want to equip your leaders, you might want to look at The Explicit Gospel as leader development.  I like it.  And I think you will too!