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

by Eric Metaxas

In this four-session video-based small group Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas will help you discover the major themes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writing and speaking and how he not only helped transform an entire faith community in Germany during World War II, but how his beliefs continue to impact the Christian faith of people throughout the world today. Filmed on location in Germany, Metaxas will take you on a religious journey of Bonhoeffer’s faith and why it has captured so many people’s imaginations and how it has inspired the Christian faith of so many today. Pulling themes from all of his major books, Metaxas helps us understand why these spiritual truths meant so much to Bonhoeffer and how they can be an inspiration and challenge to our faith. This study guide will lead you and your group deeper with session-by-session discussion topics, personal reflection, and between-session studies to enhance the group experience. Sessions Designed for use with the Bonhoeffer Video Guide (sold separately).

Genres: Biography, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2014

About the author

In a decidedly eclectic career, Eric Metaxas has written for VeggieTales, Chuck Colson, Rabbit Ears Productions and the New York Times, four things not ordinarily in the same sentence. He is a best-selling author whose biographies, children’s books, and works of popular apologetics have been translated into more than 25 languages.

Reviews

[Jim Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big biography reader because I get easily bored with many of the detailed and scholarly works. For example, wanting to learn more about Bonhoeffer's life, I purchased Bethge's work. I couldn't do it. Too much for this simple man. But Metaxas' rendering was very accessible. He worked the tension of Dietrich's life beautifully into the pages. He captured the foreshadowing of Dietrich's early journey and tied themes together as the story closed. Dietrich's faith, his conviction, and his "out of the box" thinking during a time when so much of orthodoxy was being contained by "sound doctrine" were a great refreshment to me.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done study guide for the four lesson DVD produced by Eric Metaxas on the life and ministry of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We completed the study last night, the quality of the DVD was superb and the study guide offers more information and discussion starters than any one person could possibly use. Unless one is on an extended spiritual retreat with a large group, the study guide should only be purchased by the group leader. The DVD itself is so interesting and informative, it very quickly generates discussion.

[Paola Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top reads in 2018, this book was a page turner. I began it in audiobook format, and quickly decided to buy it in print. I was deeply encouraged and convicted reading Bonhoeffer's life. It taught me a great deal about what it looks like to find your identity in Christ even when the cost is so high.

[Helder Chil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good and intensive reading about Dietrich and his life time during the 2WW. The conflicts between religion, spirituality and the nazis are extremely good expressed. One of the best bio I've read.

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 5 out of 5]

softcover + dvds
4.5 ★

"pastor, martyr, prophet, spy"

Noted author, Eric Metaxas, challenges us with some essential themes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings.
The sessions, built upon video, notes, group discussion and individual activities include:
What is the Church?
Living in Christian Community
Religionless Christianity and
Come and Die.

Pertinent to the faith community in Germany during World War II, his strength and his teachings are equally valuable
to the 21st century teacher and student.
"His devotion to Christ exceeded his own prison cell."
He would say of God, "I trust in your grace and commit my life wholly into your hands.
Do with me according to your will and as it is best for me.
Whether I live or die, I am with you, and you, my God are with me"

(1906 - 1945)

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not nearly enough time allowed in the four group sessions to cover all the material in the study guide. There is so much to discuss! Reading assignments in the associated book by the same author are extremely long (e.g. eleven chapters), probably unrealistic for most groups. Our group used the companion DVD with the study guide (which includes additional information and significant quotes as well as many questions), but not the book. For the diligent student who goes through all the questions, there is a wealth of material to encourage personal questioning and spiritual growth. There are also exercises to draw the group together, in an attempt to get a sense of Bonhoeffer's idea of community.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a biography by Eric Metaxas, I think the title was different, something like hero, prophet and martyr. It was a very eye opening book. I loved the life of this theologian and his understaning of becoming like Christ-and he lived in a horrible time with the Nazi's so anti-Christian. Oh the evil of WWII . I love a biography of goodness. Liked this one a lot!!

[Anna Bourassa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything from World War II is going to be a heavy read, but Bonhoeffer's story is inspirational. The author, Metaxas, did not include any graphic details of the war and therefore I can recommend it with ease.

[Benedek Szikra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved it. Mainly because he put a lot of Bonhoeffer quotes into context. Although there are obviously issues and problems in it that Metaxas only discusses in a very rough or superficial way. However, if I wasn’t happy with something, I still found plenty of other literature in the bibliography where I could read more about the topic. I recommend this book.

[John Waldrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unsurpassed biography of a twentieth century Christian leader. It is a must read.