Christianity Explored English Made Easy - Study Guide

Good as far as it goes

(Review written for 'Christianity Explored English Made Easy - Leader's Edition')

 We have been using this guide with international students (PhD level), some of whom know absolutely nothing about the Christian faith. Unfortunately, this guide assumes too much knowledge of Christianity, and is very Western in approach. The words need more careful explanation. Why was a drunkard being lowered through a roof was one question asked after the student checked the meaning of 'paralytic' in her dictionary!

We have resorted to writing a far more basic study ourselves and using Christianity Explored as homework/background reading.

There is also the temptation to think/expect that if we follow the study, turn the crank, out will pop a Christian. Grace is far more wonderful (and mysterious) than that. 

My student has been enjoying the course.

(Review written for 'Christianity Explored English Made Easy - Leader's Edition')

 I have generally found Christianity Explored English made Easy to be a useful resource.
Negative comments are:
NIV Bible was too difficult for my student to understand. She was happy with the Good News version, and I gather that other churches have tried different versions.
She understood quickly the concept of sin and our inability to save ourselves, needing Jesus' death and sacrifice to enable us to be forgiven, and I felt that for her therefore in subsequent weeks we were a little like a record stuck in its groove.
Positively, the outlines with pictures of what we had learned each week were helpful, the Bible passages were about the right length and the steady unfolding of the gospel message was clear. 

Excellent Resource

 We have used the CE EME course twice with Farsi speakers in our church. This book is certainly easier English than the regular CE material. The diagrams are also useful. It still requires a considerable effort to explain some words. Plan to spend enough time on each week or to spend 2 sessions getting through the material. 

This is a helpful book

 My wife and I used this book with Czech students. The chapter on What is Grace provoked a lot of discussion. I think it is good in that it focuses on the problem of sin - until we understand that problem we dont appreciated the greatness of the gift that is offered. 

Very simple to understand, maybe too simple for some

 It is very clear and easy to use. Works especially well alongside the DVD. But could be too simple for some of my students who are more advanced with their English. 

excellent resource

 I recently used this version of Christianity Explored with an Iranian friend. The course is clear, easy to use and faithful to Mark's gospel. At the end of the course my friend told me he'd learnt a lot more about Jesus and the cross. He's getting baptised soon!