'Duck Dynasty' Clan to Release 5-Week Church Curriculum Based on Parables of Jesus
A new book and DVD set released by the Robertson family, stars of the A&E reality show "Duck Dynasty," is reportedly meant to be used as a Jesus-centered teaching curriculum in churches nationwide.
The new package, Faith Commander: Living Five Values from the Parables of Jesus, was created by the show's Korie Robertson, wife of cast member Willie Robertson, and her mother Chrys Howard and will be released in May 2014 by Zondervan evangelical book publishers. The book focuses on the five themes found in the parables of Jesus, including faith, forgiveness, obedience, prayer, and kindness, and the structure of the book includes a five-week learning curriculum angled toward children, teen and adult ministries.
Various members of the Robertson family will serve as narrators of each theme in the curriculum, and each theme will also be accompanied by a relatable Robertson family story. The adult Faith Commander package includes a book and DVD with accompanying stories and narration from Phil Robertson, his brother Si Robertson, and Phil's sons, including Alan, Willie, Jase, and Jep. The teen version of the curriculum includes narration from grandchildren John Luke, Sadie, Will, Reed, and Cole Robertson and also includes a DVD and book combination.
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The purpose of this most recent publication from the "Duck Dynasty" clan is to serve as a curriculum in churches nationwide. Korie Robertson, whose husband is the CEO of the family's "Duck Commander" duck call business, said in a statement that those who use the curriculum will learn the values the Robertson family employs to maintain lasting, strong relationships with each other and God.
"With the Faith Commander curriculum, we took some commonly found themes that the show 'Duck Dynasty' actually teaches. We use these, not in a preaching sort of way, but really the kind of way that shows how we live our lives and the way our family works. This faith is behind who we are as a family and what keeps us together and strong."
Chrys Howard added that the Robertson men's legendary storytelling capabilities are put to good use in the new curriculum, and families can study the curriculum together in the same way they would watch and enjoy "Duck Dynasty" together.
The individual teen and adult portions of the Faith Commander curriculum will be released May 6, and the entire church-wide package will be released May 20. The full kit will include DVD and books for the adult and teen sections, as well as a DVD-only children's curriculum, and a book and discussion guide co-authored by Korie Robertson and her mother, Chrys.
Casey Francis Harrell, director of corporate communications for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, told The Huffington Post in a recent interview that although the curriculum isn't angled toward any specific denomination, it is meant for Christians. Harrell went on to say that Korie and Chrys drew from their own ministry experience in creating the curriculum and did not rely on any pastors for the creation of the program. Additionally, Harrell said the curriculum will focus on the themes found in Jesus' parables and therefore would not include teachings on gay marriage, abortion, or contraception.
Various members of the "Duck Dynasty" clan have released books that have been met with critical acclaim. Phil Robertson's memoir, Happy Happy Happy, made it into USA Today's "Top 50 Bestselling Titles" for the week of Dec. 22 in 2013. Phil's wife, Miss Kay, has also created a southern-themed cookbook called Miss Kay's Duck Commander Kitchen. Alan Robertson, a pastor, released The Duck Commander Devotional and the show's zany Uncle Si released his own book, titled Si-cology, which also hit major sales around the 2013 holiday season.
