Bonhoeffer Bible Study Guide: The Life and Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This is an outstanding study guide for individual study or small groups. Users must really utilize the DVD series that can also be purchased. I cannot recommend this high enough as Metaxas takes you through the journey of Bonhoeffer's life hitting the mountain tops. Meanwhile he is hot afraid to show his human side of this German theologian. Clearly, it would be best if one were to use the larger biography as you work through his life but in most small group settings people will not take that amount of time each week that it would take to read the entire biographical work. The good news is that you don't need to read the biography but it is very helpful. So don't allow this to stop you from using the workbook and DVD series. The questions are crafted so that it leads to strong group discussion, honest personal evaluation, and in a larger sense, evaluation of the role and function of the church as a whole. The unavoidable thread throughout is the commitment to spiritual disciplines exercised by Bonhoeffer. Metaxas does a great job of encouraging and prompting the reader/viewer to understand the critical need for these to be cultivated in the life of every believer. (how can you go wrong with this?) When you go through the study you will see why he was able to face very difficult decisions with a sense of peace and conviction. Only ONE negative is that I wish it were 6 weeks instead of 4. I think they could have restructured the DVD & Workbook to be use in 6 weeks as opposed to 4 and this would be much better in terms of group management & fairly covering the material. I found that it is best to have 2 weeks of discussion after the video was seen by group member - so it would be 3 weeks per "chapter." Great Material!

I give this material a very high rating because it leads so easily into a summary of why Bonhoeffer continues to influence Christian thought and discipleship. The study guide outlines the video presentation, asks probing questions for group conversation and also invites group and personal response to Bonhoeffer's call to discipleship. My group and I learned much about Bonhoeffer and was challenged to think deeply about our own following of Christ.

I never knew about this guy and it's been a great study. Great discussion and great study guide along with interesting ideas to do as a group. We've especially enjoyed viewing the video that goes with the study.

Outstanding study. One of the most inspiring studies our Study Group has done.

were ok wanted book

Had an amazing book study with my bible study group.

A beautifully crafted book that grapples with the question of why Bonhoeffer could have come to a point where he was willing, as a man of God, to conspire to kill Hitler.

This book gives the story of the author of the "Cost of Discipleship." He lived through and obeyed Christ's call to " come and die." A great lesson in humility and conviction for all of us.