Six Steps to talking about Jesus - Starter Pack

excellent practical resource for mission and evangelism

(Review written for 'Six Steps to Talking about Jesus Workbook')

 We use this for our small groups in Wellington Presbyterian. We have found the study challenging and the questions at the end of each section about telling "your story" are doing what they are designed for, hearing each others story and giving confidence to tell it, some for the first time. We had some reservations about this at the start but all our groups have tackled it in different ways. One piece of advice is to ignore the timings at the back as each study really takes much longer a minimum of three hours. We decided on this study because we have a mission planned and "Talking about Jesus" is central to the mission. We are praying that after going through the book we as christians and as a church will be better equipped and more confident in ourselves, the gospel message and the God who saves! Only one criticism, the video could be better, but we have just finished Discipleship Explored where the Video is brilliant. Otherwise study excellent! 

No more excuses!

 I have used this course for two small groups over the past twelve months and found it extremely helpful and challenging. The six step process is useful, although it may seem a little painstaking to go over 'old ground' in the first three sessions. The first three sessions remind us of some basic Christian fundamentals - WHY we tell people about Jesus (love), WHAT we tell people (understanding the gospel), and WHO saves (God saves, giving us the privilege of praying for those we care about).

The second three sessions are more practical - the rubber really hits the road! - and it is through these sessions that we get many helpful hints on how to talk about Jesus in the most natural way, without causing any offence, yet drawing people into hearing the Good News.

Throughout the six weeks, each person is able to practice telling their own story, firstly within the group itself, then they are encouraged to tell someone outside the group as 'homework'. All of this is designed to build confidence in telling our own story, and in telling the gospel truth, which everyone needs to hear.

Other reviewers have commented on Simon Manchester, the main speaker on the DVD. He is quite 'dead pan' in his manner of speaking, but what he says is really important, and most times there is so much great stuff in his talks that it is impossible to digest at first viewing. Be aware that you may not appreciate his style of presentation, but ignore that to focus on what he is saying.

This series has been produced by Australians, so the accents are Australian. This was no problem for me, as I am an Aussie ex-pat - but that's not why I give this series a great review! I think this is a marvellous series and I highly recommend it to any small group who is really keen to develop skills in talking about Jesus. 

Good, helpful material

 We used this material adapting it to our own situation. Some liked the straightforward delivery from Simon Manchester ( 'no gimmicks') Others thought it a bit pedestrian. But everyone took something from it. One comment was 'I didn't realise how helpful it was until I found myself in situations where I was able to witness.' People generally appreciated the practical exercises that made them think about their own concrete situations.
The video/study/exercise combination provided a good mix. 

A really useful adn provocative course

(Review written for 'Six Steps to Talking about Jesus Workbook')

 Talking about Jesus forms a very helpful course of six interactive sessions. The video slots provide a brief and down to earth guidance. Bible based discussions and practical applications provided an opportunity for a good deal of enjoyable discussion. Unlike some courses, this one provides ample material and a good set of questions that allowed the course to be tailor made to our particular needs and experiences 

Very good

 We're squeezing each session into an hour of a longer evening as part of a training course with a keen, sharp bunch, and it's going down well. The leaders' notes are right in saying that you can do it in an hour but that there would be benefit in taking longer - particularly to pray.
Presentation is unimaginitive until you get to some good role-plays in the final session, but content is helpful throughout. Someone falsely accused Simon Manchester of never blinking.