Re-Imagining Evangelism Book Discussion
Chapter 5
The Power of Story
“The reason that story is so basic to us is that life itself has a narrative shape-a beginning and an end, a plot and characters, conflict and resolution… Jesus taught the truth by telling stories, and his stories still reverberate in our souls centuries later: the prodigal son, the sower, the parables of the kingdom. Jesus knew how to lodge truth not just in our heads but also deeply in our hearts and imaginations” (p 85).
The Overarching Narrative of Creation, Fall, Restoration, and Redemption
Think about the overarching storyline of scripture as if it were a play:
Act I: Creation – God is good, and creates a good universe.
Act II: Fall – Humanity rebels against God, and all creation comes undone.
Act III: Redemption Promised – God makes promises in human history to make all things right. He forms a people-Israel-and promises to bless the world through them.
Act IV: Redemption comes: Jesus, God himself in-the-flesh, wages a full frontal assault on all that’s broken. He heals the sick, forgives sinners, restores outcasts to community, and ultimately undoes death itself through his death and resurrection. He sends his Holy Spirit to empower the church to be an agent of his redemption.
Act V: The current time, between the resurrection and new creation being complete. This is the season in which we live. Redemption is hear, and not yet fully complete. There is beauty mixed with brokenness when we look out at the world, and in the mirror at ourselves.
Act VI: Redemption fulfilled: Jesus returns to finish the new creation that he birthed in the midst of the old with his resurrection. Marked by images such as: every tear is wiped from every eye, all injustices done away with, people of every nation and ethnicity streaming to worship Jesus, who has made all things new.
What do you think of this storyline? How does it make sense of how you experience the world? How would you communicate that to a friend who wants to know what Christians believe?
Testimony
You don’t have to be a trained theologian to share stories of God at work. Through the years, Christians have shared what has been commonly called testimonies: stories of how they came to faith in Christ. Usually, a testimony focuses on: (1) what life was like before you became a Christian, (2) what drew you to Christ and how you came to place your faith in him, and (3) what your experience is like now as you follow Jesus. These stories can be relevant and powerful to our friends particularly when they are near crossing the line of becoming a Christian.
Stories of Transformation
But there are other stories that need to be told, which are relevant and powerful for our friends in even more places in their spiritual journey… Stories of transformation in your life. A transformational story is any time when God seemed more real, more challenging, more present in your life… any time you had a season of spiritual growth. When you look back and can see God at work to transform you, that’s a transformational story. They’re powerful because it’s difficult to argue with an experience, and faith experiences communicate truth in ways that theological constructs and abstract propositions can’t. They illustrate who God is, remind us that God is at work even now, and exemplify what it looks like to respond.
Think of a few transformation points in your life when you experienced God, became more convinced of his truth & love, or grew in your faith… how would you tell those stories to a seeking or skeptical friend? Who will you tell?
It's your turn: Please comment on the fifth chapter! And if you haven't already, order the book! Check back next week as we discuss Chapter 6: Jesus Outside the Box.