Book Review: John Deepening Life Together
John by Baker Publishing Group
John (Deepening Life Together)
ISBN-10: 0801068444
ISBN-13: 978-0801068447
I have never used many Bible study guides. I wanted to examine one and see how useful it truly would be.
This particular Bible study guide is directed toward small groups. As such, it provides some very helpful resources for small groups and their leaders. Let us examine them first.
Some of the resources that stood out to me as being very helpful are the small group agreement that outlines the scope of the small group and what the group intends to do and be. This would certainly be helpful to direct the focus of the group. There’s also a guide to help set up the roles of various members of the small group. Included is also a calendar for the small group, a roster, leader guide, and much more. Some of these things are particular to the study of the gospel of John, but others are generic in the sense that they can be used for small groups that are studying something other than the gospel of John. I found that these would be very helpful in forming and maintaining a small group.
The Bible study guide itself, being geared to a small group, does not go extremely deep into the Scripture. On the other hand, it seems to be deep enough to arouse questions about the theology of John and what he has to say about Jesus. I especially like the fact that the guide directs the ones studying to consider how the subject material is relevant to them, their spirituality, and their lives.
I can honestly say that this is an impressive little book with a big punch.