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Hi Raquelle,

12 dramatic studies on the parables of Christ

Modern Parables is an original Bible study curriculum designed for people who like movies. It is the first in a planned series of film-driven studies on the parables. The 12-lesson study combines cinema and theory in short dramatic films that explain Jesus' parables. Modern Parables lets people grasp the parables at an immediate gut level. This emotional immediacy enables them to engage the Bible in a powerful and compelling way.

This box set consists of:

• 3 DVDs - includes six parable films, six application videos each taught by a different pastor, six Director's Commentaries for teaching Cinema and Theology
• 1 Teacher's Guide with 2 intro chapters, 12 complete lesson plans + 6 bonus lesson plans (108 p.)
• 1 Student Book with 12 in-depth chapters on the parables (200 p.)
• 1 Teacher's Prep CD with 12 teacher prep lessons

The Parable Films are uniquely designed to parallel the original parables, thereby driving viewers back to the Biblical text. Just watching the films helps teach the historical, grammatical, contextual and interpretive elements in the parables. The films are not meant to replace the text, but are intended to re-create in the viewer similar emotional, intellectual, and spiritual responses as that of Jesus' 1st-century listeners.

The Application Videos explain how the parables can be applied to our day-to-day lives. They are taught by insightful pastors representing different denominations.

The Director's Commentaries explore how cinema and theology were uniquely wedded in each of the films. When paired with the 6 bonus lessons found in the Teacher's Guide, they provide a unique insight into the way cinema provides new perpectives on our lives in God's Creation.

The Teacher's Guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to teach each lesson of Modern Parables. It also includes extensive background material on the parables and the theology of Biblical application.

The Student Book contains the actual Biblical study materials in 12 in-depth chapters on the parables. Each chapter is based on some of the best modern parabolic scholarship and is written in an engaging, easy-to-follow style. There are also six parallel tables that show the many comparisons between the parable film and the original text.

The Teacher's Prep CD is a series of 5-minute audio overviews on each lesson. They are intended to be listened to in the car or on a digital player just prior to teaching the class to help remind the teacher of the most important points.

Modern Parables was designed by a 15-year veteran teacher of both Adult and Youth Group Sunday School classes. The study is intended to be an all-inclusive package that provides everything you would need to thoroughly teach the parables. It is a modular study and can be taught in 6, 12, or 18 lessons (or anything in between).

"Have you ever wondered how Jesus might have told his parables in twenty-first century America? How would the characters have been portrayed? What modern cultural elements would have proved central? Compass Cinema’s portrayals are by far the most clear, riveting, superbly acted and biblically faithful contemporizations of Jesus’ parables that I have ever seen. The DVD comes complete with excellent written materials for individual or group study. I highly recommend this work.” Craig S. Blomberg, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

The Case For Christs Resurrection - DVD Has the case for Christ’s Resurrection been made for you? Be equipped with the answers! List: $19.95 $18.95 (Save 5%) King of Kings - DVD The Power, the Passion, the Greatness, the Glory. List: $14.96 $14.21 (Save 5%) Jesus of Nazareth - DVD Franco Zeffirelli's production is acclaimed for its thorough Biblical and historical research. List: $24.99 $22.49 (Save 10%) The Miracle Maker - DVD This terrific animated special about the life of Jesus is a visual feast - an outstanding piece of film-making for all ages. List: $14.98 $11.98 (Save 20%)

Theologian, Naval officer, missionary, school director, marketer, screenwriter and producer are hats that Thomas Purifoy, Jr., has worn at some time in his adult life. In a process he calls “horribly painful,” he is close to finishing individual DVD releases of the Modern Parables film set.

Like many others, Thomas’ path to independent filmmaking was not at all linear, but rather organic and, on the surface at least, a little disjointed. Eventually it lead him to found Compass Cinema with a partner, and their first production of “Cinematic Theology:” Modern Parables, Living in the Kingdom of God.

Today we talked with Thomas about his journey, his study of the parables, and his ideas for the future.

CC.com: Why do you describe the process you’re in as painful?

Thomas: There are so many little digital details that can go wrong when you’re working with something that has so many pieces. We’re trying to keep it clean from beginning to end, and make sure there are no errors. To provide a quality piece, we work in layers, so if we find an encryption error, it means going back through all the layers to find the problem.

We’re really excited about what it looks like. It’s a nice package, but it takes a lot of time to get it to that quality.

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From The Boston Globe

Maybe it's not all about Hollywood after all. The Merrimack Valley Christian Film Festival is returning to Lawrence this week, highlighting new Christian-theme films that are making their mark on mainstream America.

by David Germain - Las Vegas

Hollywood thrives when the economy dives. It was true during the Depression, when Americans managed to scrape together nickels and dimes for an escape to the movies. And as the prospect of another recession looms, studio executives say this time is no different.

by Byron Gray - TC Palm

Rather find Charlton Heston in your Easter basket than a chocolate bunny? How about hunting for the beautiful Jean Simmons instead of those pretty colored eggs?

by Matt Sherman

The Supreme Court on Monday stepped into a legal fight over the use of curse words on the airwaves, the high court's first major case on broadcast indecency in 30 years.