Lazarus Awakening by Joanne Weaver

What an amazing gift! Author Joanna Weaver sent me a copy of Lazarus Awakening: the DVD Bible Study. (Finding Your Place in the Heart of God) Packaged with the 3 DVD’s filmed on location in the Holy Land is a 133 page paperback Study Guide for personal or group study and a separate book for a 10-week Companion Bible Study. Included on the third DVD are resources for publicizing your small group study or retreat: colorful banners, bulletin insert, bookmarks, and postcards. Also on this DVD is a printable PDF Leader’s Guide, a participant Retreat Guide, and a Retreat Journaling Guide for pondering the scripture and answering personal questions during this 8-week series. The Study Guide is filled with one page lessons, such as Dethroning Lies and Shedding Graveclothes. Included are fill-in-the-blank sentences to connect members to the DVD sessions and pages to take notes. One resource in the Leader’s Guide is a page with tips for leading small groups. It mirrors the instructions I receive from Community Bible Study where I am a teaching director for a women’s evening class. My favorite teaching lesson was number 4-Shaped in the Quarry. I plan on using this 20 minutes video as a team building resource during my summer CBS leadership training. We can be living stones made ready inside and out by the shaping by the Holy Spirit through our responses to the circumstances of our lives. Weaver’s quote, “What feels like destruction is actually construction,” is a perfect illustration of

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Each DVD has bonus videos of Israel Moments, which by themselves could be a stand-alone study. Modern day Jerusalem showing the Western Wall and recently uncovered southern steps of the temple are meaningful spots for residents of Israel and visitors. The continuing study of archeology in Israel uncovers pieces of history which prove the accuracy of the Bible. The beautiful landscape of the Holy Land gives us a glimpse into the life of Jesus as he climbed the rocky landscape and walked the streets of Jerusalem. Amy Turnage, from the Center for Holy Lands Studies is an expert in archeology and shares her wealth of knowledge. She is currently excavating a small plot of land near the Sea of Galilee.

Joanna Weaver, author of the familiar Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, filmed the entire series in Israel. I was given the privilege of viewing rugged hillsides of the Kidron Valley, the landscape of the Holy City, and the Garden of Gethsemane and the beautiful scenery near the Sea of Galilee. Onscreen scripture verses help to bring us into God’s Word for our source of healing and strength. Passionate and personal in her dialogue with viewers makes the DVD lessons interesting and encouraging. As a teacher of Bible Studies, I am so excited to plan an 8-week Study of Lazarus Awakening. Women in my circles desperately need a study which will teach them who they are in Christ and how they can personally live in the light of eternity. The gentleness of Jesus’ teaching of mercy and grace never grows old. This exciting series has many valuable lessons for Christians as we live in a world where we are tempted daily by the enemy. It points us to return to the Bible and a personal relationship with Jesus. Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah and Joanna Weaver for sharing this valuable gift for my unbiased review.

Ann Sanger
Teaching Director
Gastonia Women’s Evening Class
Community Bible Study