Subversive Kingdom: Lessons in Rebellion from the Parables of Jesus

Looking for a good overview of Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God?  I had a chance this weekend to take a look at Subversive Kingdom: Lessons in Rebellion from the Parables of Jesus and you might want to add this study to your recommended list.  Released in 2011, the DVD features teaching by Dr. Ed Stetzer, President of Research at Lifeway.

Subversive Kingdom is a six session DVD-Driven study that examines a series of kingdom parables in Matthew 13 and is designed to explain “what the kingdom of God is and how to embrace and advance it in the lives of believers and churches.”

Anchored by the DVD teaching, the study incorporates a member book that includes a session discussion guide, scripture memory verses, and daily personal devotions.  Although there is no leader’s guide, the discussion questions are presented in a way that will help most groups engage in a meaningful dialogue and a simple cheat-sheet form of leader’s guide wouldn’t be difficult to develop for churches with newer or less knowledgeable leaders.

Subversive Kingdom will be a good choice for groups looking for a little more challenging experience.  Along with the deeper, Kingdom of God topic, the personal devotions will require a daily commitment of 30 minutes to complete.

This is a nicely balanced study.  Although the teaching is fairly straightforward without bells and whistles, Stetzer is an engaging communicator that will easily hold the attention of group members for the 12 to 15 minutes sessions.  There is enough meat in the study guide questions to prompt a thought-provoking discussion.

Subversive Kingdom is a study your going to want to take a look at.  I’ll be recommending it to some of my small group leaders.  I bet you will, too.