Rio Grande Christian Education Resource Center

When the Game is Over... Zondervan, DVD, 2008.

A promotion. A new house. The rewards of winning at life’s game can be thrilling. But eventually everything goes back into the box, and what ultimately matters is whether we’ve played according to God’s rules. John Ortberg uses popular games and his trademark gift of storytelling to help us live our lives for the things that really count. 6 DVD centered sessions based on the book, resources include teaching helps and one copy of the participant guide. 

Hope Lives. Group Publishing, DVD, 2008.

A 5 session group study resource on how God calls us to respond to poverty.  A compelling book and DVD led series with teaching helps will lead your group on a journey of exploration the motivations and issues surrounding how we do and do not respond to poverty. 

Christian Classics Bible Studies. Intervarsity Press, 2002.

A unique bible studies series that carefully explores the life and witness of Christian saints while also exploring the biblical verses that shaped their practices.  6 sessions each including group and individual work.  Sample books include:

• Teresa of Avila
• Augustine
• Martin Luther
• The Wesleys
• Bonhoeffer

Will our Children Have Faith. Tabor Video, 1986, VHS.

John H Westerhoff discusses subjects from his book of the same title.  3 30 minute segments focusing on Baptism, Life in the Church, and Pilgrimage. 

Invitation to the Old Testament. Abingdon Press, 2005, VHS and DVD.

This study approaches the study of Hebrew Scriptures by inviting participants to hear the story of God and God's calling of the people of Israel through the many "voices" of the biblical text. Narrative, poem, history, and prophetic utterance all have their own distinctive characteristics and purpose, arising out of a particular historical, social, and cultural setting. To understand fully the story of God's covenantal relationship with Israel calls for listening to these various ways the story is told throughout the Old Testament.

What does it mean to be God's chosen people? And how does the story of Israel's covenant with God inform our own identity as heirs of that covenant? Through this study, participants will be invited to listen afresh to the witness of the Old Testament to hear God's call and purpose for their own lives and respond to that call.

Study Contents
1.  The Making of the Hebrew Bible       2.  The Creation Story of Israel
3.  Out of Bondage                               4.  Promise and Problem in the Land
5.  Israel Has a King                             6.  Division and the Rise of Prophecy
7.  Exile and Response                          8.  Restoration and Renewal

Weekly group meetings are designed to last 60-90 minutes with a two-part video segment to guide each session with interpretive presentations from biblical scholars; contextual presentations and roundtable discussions; and opportunities for reflection, contemplation, or inspiration on some aspect of the Scripture studied.

Weekly Group Session and Format
Gathering Around God’s Word
*Video Presentation and Discussion
Encountering God’s Word in the Text
*Discuss Daily Reading Assignments
*Interpretive exercise concentrating on one focal passage.
Examining God’s Word in Context
*Video Presentation and Discussion
Going Forth with God’s Word
*Discuss of Marks of Discipleship
*Closing Prayers

What's So Amazing about Grace? Zondervan, 2000, VHS.

Award winning author Philip Yancey takes you and your study group for interactive, gut-level encounters with radical, life-changing grace.  The video and leader’s guide provides ease of facilitation for the small group leader. The participant’s guide, available separately, provides a book for small group members to follow along with the teaching and record responses to questions. What’s So Amazing About Grace?—Over 1 million books sold.   In this ten-session small group series award-winning author Philip Yancey offers intimate glimpses of God’s life-changing grace. Using candid interviews with real people, he illustrates the power of God to forgive the most horrible deeds, love the unloving, and redeem the seemingly irredeemable.  10 sessions.

Why Nobody Learns Much of Anything at Church and How to Fix It. Group, 1995.

This video tape follows the book of the same name.  Hear and see why some folks feel Christian education falters.  Discover the difference between teaching and learning.  30 minutes with Joani and Tom Schultz. 

Training for Small Group Leaders: Lyman Coleman. Serendipity, VHS, 1993.

Two complete copies are available of this comprehensive small group leader training from the Serendipity publishers.  Includes 6 interactive training sessions on principles, life cycles, problems and growth and a training manual

Christian Educators conference in ABQ this October

Christian Education for the 7th Generation and Preaching from the Center
Hyatt Regency Hotel and Albuquerque Convention Center             
Albuquerque, NM ~ October 24-27, 2008
The CEF bi-annual conference is a superb learning event for anyone involved in Christian education  ministry - professional staff, volunteers, youth directors, resource center directors, and clergy with significant educational responsibilities.                

The 2008 event features...       

• pre-event intensive workshops
• an energy-packed opening celebration
• early morning prayer and worship experiences
• daily Bible study
• dynamic worship services
• thought-provoking plenaries
• networking opportunities
• nearly 100 workshops to choose from
• hands-on, self-directed learning activities
• a large vendor area with the latest tools and resources
• optional evening activities for fun, fellowship, and entertainment

Network, Revised. Zondervan, 2005, DVD and CDRom or VHS.

Network is a six-session dynamic program to help Christians understand who God has uniquely made them to be and mobilize them to a place of meaningful service in the local church. Each participant in Network will work through a series of assessments which leads them to discover their unique blend of spiritual gifts, personal style, and ministry passion.  Developed with Willow Creek this includes dvd, cd-rom, and leaders guide.  55 minute sessions. 2 copies - one on vhs.