This thing is the real deal. It may be one of the best small group resources I've seen in a long, long time.
What makes it so good? Does it have snazzy packaging? Is there great, high-tech video footage? Are there all kinds of ice-breakers and games and other schlock usually put into small group resources?
Nope, none of that. The entire presentation couldn't be more simple. If it was not necessary to get the message across, it was left out. So, what's in the package?
The DVD has ten video chapters--all less than 10 minutes long--meant to be used during separate small group sessions. Each chapter features Francis in his natural settings: at home, at the local grocery store, at the church building. You feel like you're taking a day to visit Francis and follow him around for a day in the life.
The manner is conversational and informal, yet pointed and though-provoking. If you've ever heard Francis before, you know he has a way of taking the common everyday experience of life and making you see it in a spiritual light--the idea that everything is spiritual.
At the end of each segment, Francis gets your small group discussion started with his own questions for your group. These are great starter questions, and can help create a deeper discussion--as it is certain your group will have more questions of their own as the conversation goes on. There is a printable study guide on the DVD which gives you a hard copy of the questions. I see this (personally) as a tool for the discussion leader, and not really something that would be printed and passed out to every person. This, of course, depends on the format of your small group.
On the technical side, there was one minor glitch. The sound on the DVD menu went in and out. This might be a result of my watching it on my iMac rather than in a DVD player, and admittedly could be a software problem and not a problem with the DVD's production.
The sessions themselves, though simple, are produced with quality and expertise. Picture definition is superb, and the audio quality is among the best I've ever heard. I know the shots were all staged, but even in public places the isolation of Francis's voice and absence of all other distracting background noise was great.
This DVD might be best used in conjunction with the book, but is probably not completely necessary, especially if the discussion leader is familiar with the book and other material.