BASIC.Fellowship
Francis Chan
David C. Cook, 2011, DVD, Running Time: 15 min., $14.99
BASIC.Teaching
Francis Chan
David C. Cook, 2011, DVD, Running Time: 15 min., $14.99
What is the church, and why does it seem broken? This is a two-part question that resonates with youth, and according to Francis Chan, with people around the planet. In BASIC.Fellowship, the fourth installment in the BASIC Series, Chan explains that he believes the Spirit is prompting His people to return to the unity we have been called to because such unity proclaims the good news of God. Yet, this is not an “I love Jesus but can’t stand the church” kind of message. In fact, Chan speaks directly against that in his talk, decrying it as an unbiblical view of God’s family.
During Chan’s discussion of fellowship, viewers rejoin the three characters introduced in the three previous BASIC films. Newly freed from their white boxes into a vast, barren desert, the characters wander aimlessly until they find each other and ultimately a teacher character. The teacher gives the trio white clothing and begins to guide them through the new world they’ve discovered.
As in the previous films, these characters and their journey are portrayed with visuals alone—viewers never hear them, and Chan never refers to them. However, as Chan explores what it means for the church to have everything in common, to have an otherworldly unity, and to proclaim the gospel by loving one another, the visual story becomes a poignant metaphor for an already powerful talk.
Using the same format, BASIC.Teaching discusses our relationship with God’s Word as believers. Do we do what the Bible says? Do we seriously think about what it means for a book to be called God’s Word? Why do we seek Mr. So-and-So’s opinion about the Bible, often at the expense of studying it ourselves?
Chan addresses these questions—and more—in his 15-minute mini talk. He says that biblically we all have the task of studying, applying and teaching God’s Word, although we’re not all equally gifted in these areas. Chan proposes the common sense notion that the Great Commission is for all of us—that we are all to make disciples through a process of walking alongside and teaching the people we are discipling.
What I love about these videos, apart from the brilliant cohesion of words, visuals and music, is their high view of the church and the Bible. Youth will recognize the holy discontentment expressed in these DVDs, and there will be plenty for them to discuss after watching them.
