It's the book that's sweeping the nation. You can't turn on the TV, visit a book store, or the watercooler without hearing about this book. The Burpo family has been making their rounds with the media promoting this book and I understand a movie is in the works. I was sent this Curriculum DVD kit from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a review. In accordance with Federal law, I am in no way paid or required to give a positive review. That being said, I found Heaven is for Real to be an quick and excellent read. I am a skeptic when it comes to near death experiences. I am not sure how I feel about the theology of how this all works. It's not that I don't believe that God can't use these things - I'm just not sure he does. Especially when profit it involved. In this case, after reading the book I felt that for once it was a story that seemed to be true. There was a pureness to it. It was believable. However, I only hope that 6 months from now I'm not looking at "Follow me to Heaven" shirts with Colton Burpos picture on the front. With the curriculum kit and the kid's version and a possible movie, I am wary. Why say all of this when I was asked to just review a curriculum kit? Because while the book is great, the kit really isn't in my opinion. The DVD has some interesting interviews with the Burpos. However, the companion guide seems very elementary to me. The questions are very general. The DVD is put together nicely with 5 videos that are 10 to 18 minute conversation starters. They are of good quality. The kit might be good with a seekers group or a group of new Christians, but I think most Bible study groups would find this lacking as a study.
