See also current and past Partners Video Reviews    

The Neighbor: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
VHS, Color, 12 min., Discussion guide, 2000
Youth, young adults, English or Spanish
Cost: $9.95 plus s/h
American Bible Society
(800) 32-BIBLE or FAX (866) 570-1777

Brought to us as one in a new series of video Scripture translations by the American Bible Society, The Neighbor, based on Luke 10:25-37, is a fresh look at Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of God. This version features the Contemporary English Version translation with a young, multi-cultural cast, an original musical score, and gripping cinematography, shot on location in Alviso, California, that pulls this parable out of its original context and casts it into a contemporary scene.

This production of a familiar story applies the story of the Good Samaritan to areas of racial and cultural tension, including conflicts due to the influx of new immigrants in our country. Feelings of rejection, hostility, compassion, and acts of mercy are transparent in the dramatization by the young actors. Young viewers, especially, will be able to identify with the sentiments of stereotyping, competition, jealousy, and dispossession.

A discussion guide provides helpful background information to the biblical text, suggestions for implementing a program within a 60-minute class period, Bible study helps, discussion questions, and a separate section for campus ministry groups.

The Apostles' Creed: Knowing What We Believe
VHS, Color, 97 min., Study guide, 2003
Confirmation and High School students
Cost: $119.95
Paraclete Press, ISBN: 1-55725-341-1
(508) 255-4685

Presented by Tom Tufts, an experienced youth pastor and nationally known speaker, The Apostles' Creed covers the basic elements of this creed, talks about its historical context, and shows how it is intended for application in our everyday lives. Tufts has the ability of teaching biblical and theological truths by speaking directly, using language understood by teens, and employing illustrations from their culture.

This resource is divided into 17 lessons, each ranging from 45-55 minutes, each covering one phrase of the creed. Biblical references, activities, and discussion questions, all included in the easy-to-follow study guide, make this video program a complete curriculum for a confirmation or high school group. For leaders who don't want to devote 17 sessions to one study, the video segments could be used to highlight custom-designed lessons.

The program also has value as an ecumenical study among high school youth, since it emphasizes the unifying features of the Christian faith. One of the appealing aspects of this program is that Tom Tufts is more than a "talking head" in his presentations. From the library to the golf course, from the home to the ocean side, from the graveyard to the fitness center and many more backdrops, Tufts creates a rapid pace and a passionate presentation that keeps youth engaged and interested, as they follow the development of our belief system and explore the biblical illustrations he uses to underscore each phrase.

An additional benefit of this video curriculum is that it can serve as a model for catechists or youth leaders who may lack confidence or experience in their teaching ability with young disciples or simply want to improve their communication skills with youth. I liked everything about this resource except its lack of inclusive language. However, in other areas, Tufts effectively employs creative language and images to think about God outside of traditional forms. For example, in one instance, he encourages youth to think about the Trinity in more dynamic forms than the familiar triangle, as he refers to the Trinity as "three persons who dance together in love and harmony."

Active Parenting Now For Parents of Children 5-12
Video/Print Curriculum for Groups, 165 min, 2002
Parent's Guide; Leader's guide
Cost: $389 (VHS); $399 (DVD); $59.95 for "stand-alone" videos
Active Parenting Publishing
(800) 825-0060, FAX (770) 429-0334

Families throughout our country suffer from the stresses of balancing work and parenting responsibilities and schedules, combined with the added pressures of issues surrounding tobacco, alcohol, drugs, teen sexuality, and violence. Active Parenting Now is an attempt to combat these influences that cut across all cultures, races, and socioeconomic groups in families. It provides a six-session, comprehensive video-discussion curriculum that is designed to teach parents practical skills and daily routines that help improve communication, develop nonviolent discipline techniques, and teach children how to function effectively in a democratic society.

Michael Popkin, Ph.D., has written this updated version of the original Active Parenting Today video program and is featured in Active Parenting Now. Joe Washington, an Emmy-award broadcaster and host of HGTV's Ground Breakers, is the narrator.

Each session includes several video segments that correspond to activities in the Parent's guide and consist of step-by-step practical tips for achieving desired goals. Real-life scenarios illustrate both positive and negative results. Two-parent and single- parent families, as well as a multicultural cast, dramatize the presentations in each session. Teaching children freedom within expanding limits and examining logical consequences to every action on the part of parents and children alike are the underlying principles in the program. Preparing children to courageously meet the challenges in life before they are faced with difficult choices in their teen years and helping parents to raise children who are problem solvers are emphasized throughout the program.

Much of this series deals with effective communication. Parents have an opportunity to analyze their own styles of communication with their children and look at the ways that communication blocks, even with the best intentions, can build walls instead of bridges. "Without that bridge of effective communication," Popkin states, "parents are left standing by the shore while other influences drag their teens into the water." When the bridge needs repair and is fixed, our teens will be able to face choices with confidence.

Dr. Popkin includes recognized research in the area of child development and the 40 Developmental Assets of healthy children and youth developed by the Search Institute. Appealing stories, including Popkins' own experience with his Sunday School class, are interspersed in the video segments to reinforce what is taught.

Detailed lesson plans in the Leader's guide will provide groups with all they need for effective parenting groups. The 222-page Parent's guide will serve as a resource for individual families beyond the life of discussion groups. This program is an excellent tool for church or school groups.
Individual sessions are:

• The Active Parent: Styles of Parenting
• Winning Cooperation: Active Communication
• Responsibility and Discipline: Logical Consequences
• Understanding and Redirecting Misbehavior
• Building Courage, Character & Self-Esteem
• Parents Influencing Events: Drugs, Sexuality and Violence

Active Parenting Publishers also produces stand-alone videos based on each topic in both English and Spanish, selling for $59.95 each, including a discussion guide and designed to be used with or without a leader.

Anne Lee, an associate in ministry and video review editor for Lutheran Partners magazine, is serving in the area of Christian education at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Illinois.