From 2006 to 2007, Compass Cinema was hard at work creating short films that re-tell several of the parables Jesus told.  The stories are recreated in modern times.

Though I had seen the trailers, I hadn’t had the chance to see the complete films until recently.  Now, the films are being offered for download, suitable for computer or iPod or MP3 with video – for free!

So, I watched them, and I think you should too.  It’s hard to convince you in words – just go check them out for yourself.  They would be great to watch and discuss as a family, or a small group, or a Sunday School class (of course the free downloads are only for personal use).

Actually, there are other materials and study guides available, but I think the videos stand well on their own (now you know I’m not an undercover Compass Cinema salesman).  Watch them and read the parables and ask how they’re the same and different, and think about the messages you see.  There are a ton of things you could discuss and think about in each story.  (Actually, I haven’t looked at the study material closely, so I can’t speak for it or against it)

The six parables are The Shrewd Manager, Hidden Treasure, Prodigal Sons, The Widow and Judge, The Sower, and Samaritan.  They’re all very different – from a documentary style to drama to comedy.  They’re from the United States, but if you are not I don’t think the foreign flavour takes away from them at all.  They’re generally well done, and will make you think about all kinds of things that you may have never considered before when reading the parables.

Here are two trailers.  Actually, you can view all of Hidden Treasure online.  But don’t wait – download the free lo-res versions while they’re still available (I watched them full screen on my computer and they were fine)! [Edit: Oops, no longer available for free by themselves, but they are free with certain purchases.]