Rick’s* drinking and drug use had taken everything from him. It had taken his wife. It had taken his home. It had taken his job. But there was one thing it had never succeeded in robbing from him—Alyssa, his daughter. Somehow that girl never gave up on him. Rick can only shake his head in both thankfulness and bewilderment at her persistent love over the decades.
Rick doesn’t remember much from his childhood and the memories he does have aren’t happy ones. He struggled through school. He failed at sports. As one of the smallest kids, he was bullied and picked on. At home, his older sister got whatever she wanted, while Rick was the one never quite good enough. He felt inadequate and rejected. In an attempt to boost his self-esteem, he started drinking and smoking marijuana in his early teens. By the time he was 15, he had quit school and moved out of home.
Last year, Willow Creek Baptist Church (fondly known as “The Creek”) was a host church for one of our TERM Seminars. It was exciting for our staff to interact with the pastor and the congregation because many in the church had come to faith with the help of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus. A number of their members have shared their testimonies on video.
Here is one from Ashley Murphy. This is a quote from her story:
It didn’t make sense before that. Reading through The Stranger, everything clicked, everything finally made sense. It was the first time that I ever felt that… Jesus did that for us, that I could have my sins forgiven. The darkness that I carried around… it was lifted…. That was huge because I’ve lived with it my whole life…. This has made such a difference in my home and my marriage…”
Marion* had read little of the Bible during the 20 years she had been away from church. She felt it was too daunting. Recently, however, she started going to church again and even offered to help prepare the meal for a session of a marriage course. To thank her for her effort, one of the leaders, Kat, gave Marion a copy of Fieldnotes, GoodSeed’s annual compilation of testimonies.
Reading through the book, Marion was struck by the stories of those who began with no knowledge of the Bible but, by the end of each account, had come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Ian’s* voice over the phone was laced with despair. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t put a bullet in my head.”
On the other end of the call, Dennis could tell that Ian meant what he said. He knew this wasn’t a random comment. Ian’s suicidal depression was the result of a life gone completely awry.
In those brief moments before Dennis answered, he thought of Ian’s failing health caused by a workplace accident. He had gone from being very robust and active to being physically and mentally incapacitated. Dennis remembered how Ian had lost his job, friends, family, and his very identity as a result. His friends had abandoned him, his wife had divorced him, and his children had turned against him.
It has been called “the greatest story ever told.” Now the central message of the Bible is brought to life in this eleven-hour online Bible study. This self-paced course has been adapted from the popular award-winning DVD series, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus.
Your teacher will take these individual elements and chronologically tie them together into one universal drama. Whether you have significant Bible knowledge or have never read “the Book,” this online series is for you.
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<div class="strvb-title"><h2>The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus - VideoBook</h2></div>
<div class="strvb-desc clear">
It has been called "the greatest story ever told." Now the central message of the Bible is brought to life in this eleven-hour <a href="https://www.goodseed.com/learn-about-the-bible.html">online Bible study</a>. This self-paced course has been adapted from the popular award-winning DVD series, <em>The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus</em>.
Your teacher will take these individual elements and chronologically tie them together into one universal drama. Whether you have significant Bible knowledge or have never read "the Book," this online series is for you.
</div>
<div class="strvb-video"><iframe src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/atNkfF69jng?rel=0" name="strvb-iframe" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
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<div class="strvb-nav-desc">Please choose the section you'd like to watch, and it will load in the video player above.</div>
<table summary="This table displays the different chapters and sections of The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus video Bible study.">
<tbody>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Introduction</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/atNkfF69jng?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">Introduction to the Course</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 1</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/c4Nesrn3GKU?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - The Prologue</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/O45bfldPcJE?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Getting Things Straight</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/kafgUi7qc78?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - A Unique Book</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 2</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/crO9rdk_5c0?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - In the Beginning God</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/3Lx2KVuCFps?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Angels, Hosts and Stars</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 3</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/v8rj5ffjA2o?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Heaven and Earth</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/XG97ilLB0y0?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - It Was Good</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/waxsVVILNxI?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Man and Woman</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 4</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/M0Oiw7vIkcY?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - I Will</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/wuKlH4nOmLs?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Has God Said?</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/oknCc32xLEU?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Where Are You?</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/f_d2tgfB6EM?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 - Death</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 5</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/2hndjzm790U?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - A Paradox</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/qIL5X5e-nKw?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Atonement</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/PgZE_PLNy-0?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Two By Two</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/K5BvKxYAmSQ?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 - Babel</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 6</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0YLM3NNr_zU?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Abraham</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/q-4pb8I-dpE?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Belief</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xRZAOkhbEN4?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Isaac</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 7</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/_JpZzmHsXM0?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Israel and Judah</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/3bcEipCC8yw?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Moses</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EIO6IdkW0s8?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Pharaoh and the Passover</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 8</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/2sfdKGiWppw?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Bread, Quail and Water</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/4IqG0o-Q1W8?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Ten Rules</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/YkClAJuT23Y?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - The Courtroom</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 9</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/oBOriY6bjeA?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - The Tabernacle</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0imNjQYEbcA?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1b - The Gold Box</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dtvLu_gVPC8?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Unbelief</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/snw4ec-T1Zk?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Judges, Kings and Prophets</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 10</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/mkMfTCCpWA0?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Elizabeth and Mary</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/JKtd9syeIWM?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Jesus</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/HOsjrMSzuaY?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Among the Sages</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WvwVl40UI38?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 - Baptism</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 11</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/42f0nfErnxc?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Tempted</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/_er3O7JQvNM?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Power and Fame</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/zJm9bXX2AZc?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Nicodemus</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ly_INY_MF64?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 - Rejection</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/zXNYnlcq_HA?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 - The Bread of Life</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 12</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Agtdwd95nMw?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Filthy Rags</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/JYee6NtX8FM?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - The Way</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/BlHByuUy2Ts?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Lazarus</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ibnEoiD8hj4?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 - Hell</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/3iRaRPvCP6E?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 - Acceptance and Betrayal</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 13</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0RCnyjLtwcc?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - Arrested</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/XS3wk4UIkO4?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Crucified</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/y04YfwpGIfw?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - Burial and Resurrection</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<th scope="row">Chapter 14</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/sMd6YFHlpO8?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - The Emmaus Road</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/yMO9yAkFApM?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - (Adam to Noah)</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1p6HcpvalME?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">3 - (Abraham to the Law)</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/72-mH3zSIqY?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">4 - (The Tabernacle to the Bronze Serpent)</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/zYuQCMcUF5M?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 - (John the Baptist to the Resurrection)</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Chapter 15</th>
<td><a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/pHeMoFX5Olo?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">1 - A Convenient Time</a> <a href="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/85QAjqv1fxk?rel=0" target="strvb-iframe" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 - Credits</a></td>
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Summer Bible camp. How Megan* loved the week-long escape into the quiet of nature. The rustic cabins nestled among the evergreens, the liveliness of the campers, the crackling bonfires in the evening… it was all one big highlight. But there was something that brought even more joy to Megan, and that was watching God at work in the hearts of the campers.
When Megan was asked to be a main speaker at a girls’ Bible camp, she was more than willing to oblige. She also knew what she would talk about. Ever since she had attended a TERM Seminar, she had been sharing the gospel using a Creation-to-Christ approach. She decided to use the five days of camp to do this once again.
It is 1979. Minh Trang* is three years old. In the cover of darkness, his family boards a makeshift boat on the coast of Vietnam. The boat is meant to hold 20 but 70 frightened people are crushed together, shoulder to shoulder. It is dangerous in the rickety vessel because it can capsize in a heartbeat. But to suffer at the hands of the communist regime is worse. Minh’s parents decide to risk this flight in the dark.
Thus began more than eight months at sea. Minh has never forgotten that terrifying time. Eventually, after many trials and a circuitous route, his family landed in Canada. They had escaped death but not misery. It was a struggle for Minh’s parents to rebuild their lives. They had been doctors in Vietnam but now in Quebec, they had to be re-qualified as Canadian physicians. There was a quota system for foreigners so both parents struggled as they learned French, worked at menial jobs, took care of the children and laboured towards being certified as doctors.
Minh remembers those difficult years. His parents eventually qualified as doctors and inspired by their perseverance, he too has become a physician. But even as life improved, Minh was searching for something more. He wanted answers to what life was all about.
Lorna* had been bedridden for years. The cold walls of hospitals and nursing homes were all too familiar to her as she lived day after day in a routine of doctor visits and prescriptions. Lorna’s fragile health was the result of years of physical abuse from multiple men in her life and teenage alcoholism. Lorna had come from a traditionally religious background, but she knew so little about hope and freedom. And with few friends and a family who didn’t bother visiting her, each passing day accentuated her loneliness and isolation. She felt like a prisoner in her wheelchair.
Belinda first met Lorna when she was a caregiver in her home. Belinda’s heart broke over Lorna and she did what she could for the older woman but they lost touch soon after. Belinda continued to pray that salvation would come to Lorna and her family and hoped that one day they would reconnect.
It was a warm Sunday in late fall. The church service was over, and Pastor Sam,* his wife Karen, and their seven children enjoyed some time of fellowship with their friends before piling into the van. Sixteen-year-old Andrew hopped into the driver’s seat of the big 15-passenger van, and Pastor Sam settled into the front passenger seat. They only lived a few miles from church, but every little bit of driving practice was good experience for Andrew. Once Karen and the children were settled in, Andrew drove out of the parking lot and onto the highway. It was little Stephanie’s fourth birthday, and they were looking forward to an afternoon party at home with family and friends.
One moment there were the happy sounds of the children talking, then CRASH! The deafening screech of tires was followed instantly by the sickening sound of crunching metal. The children erupted in screams. Sam was disoriented but regained his senses quickly. Glancing back, he was shocked to discover the front of a black pickup actually in the van! It had smashed through the two rear doors.
Rick’s* drinking and drug use had taken everything from him. It had taken his wife. It had taken his home. It had taken his job. But there was one thing it had never succeeded in robbing from him—Alyssa, his daughter. Somehow that girl never gave up on him. Rick can only shake his head in both thankfulness and bewilderment at her persistent love over the decades.
Marion* had read little of the Bible during the 20 years she had been away from church. She felt it was too daunting. Recently, however, she started going to church again and even offered to help prepare the meal for a session of a marriage course. To thank her for her effort, one of the leaders, Kat, gave Marion a copy of 
Lorna* had been bedridden for years. The cold walls of hospitals and nursing homes were all too familiar to her as she lived day after day in a routine of doctor visits and prescriptions. Lorna’s fragile health was the result of years of physical abuse from multiple men in her life and teenage alcoholism. Lorna had come from a traditionally religious background, but she knew so little about hope and freedom. And with few friends and a family who didn’t bother visiting her, each passing day accentuated her loneliness and isolation. She felt like a prisoner in her wheelchair.