Shaped by the Story
April 17, 2009
What happens when we read Scripture as God’s Story and with great determination figure out how to insert our lives into that Story, rather than trying to figure out when and where we can fit God into our busy lives?
In his book, Shaped by the Story, Michael Novelli provides the following summary of God’s story with the thread of kingdom running throughout.
“From the very beginning’s of the story, God expresses a desire to live in close harmony with God’s creation and for God’s creation to enjoy his kingdom rule. God created humans as image-bearers of the divine, continuing God’s creativity and care of creation on earth. Then humans decided to create their own kingdoms, where they could live according to their own desires.
So God set in motion a kingdom agenda to restore creation to wholeness. Story after Bible story describes the amazing lengths God went to in order to extend grace to us-to give humans opportunities to reconnect our broken relationship with him. God even came and dwelled with the Jewish nation-a community God chose to distinctly live while reflecting the ways of God the King.
The apex of the kingdom storyline is found in Jesus. Jesus announced the kingdom of God breaking into history, displaying God’s restorative power in his life, miracles, and words. At the cross Jesus gained decisive victory over evil for us, liberating us from the power of sin. Then Jesus entered as the firstborn into the -resurrection life of restored creation. God’s Spirit was sent to continue the restorative work, empowering a global community of people called the church to embody God’s kingdom, join in God’s actions, and tell God’s Story. to the world.
How is your faith community emodying God’s kingdom in your community? How do you see your church fitting into God’s redemptive story? What “part” or “role” will you “act out” today?
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7 Comments to “Shaped by the Story”
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Thanks for this post Jamie. This idea of God’s story excites me. It is what I had not seen all my christian life until I took a missions course called “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”. The biblical perspective we studied brought the bible alive to me in a way it had never been before. Following Jesus is to join him in his story. Steven Hawthorne, one of the compilers of the course text book (along with Ralph Winter), covers God’s story pretty well in this article from the text book http://www.waymakers.org/index.php?p=glory&pp=story
It is a bit long but I think you will find it worth the effort.
My pastor’s efforts to involve our church in what God is doing among the nations has led us naturally (I think) full circle to look for what God is doing in our community. We are still in the begining phases of trying to birth a missional mindset in our church. It does not seem to be a quick shift for most “church folk” like myself.
For my personal involvement in His story, I need to develop some missional rhytms to build some intentionality into my week. It is too easy to go no further than reading and discussing these things and never live them out.
Thanks for the thought provoking post. God bless.
Hey Jerry,
Thanks for the article. It looks great. I look forward to reading it. I’m glad you found the quote to be encouraging as well. As I was reading your post, I felt like you were reading my mind. Everything you shared really resonated with me. Your post breathed life into me soul. Thanks bro. If you come across any resources you find to be especially helpful as you seek to see a new mindset birthed in your church, please let me know.
I can’t think of a better resource than Divine Conspiracy. Tough reading but plowing through it will yield all the gems you need for acculturating people into a kingdom of God mindset and missional activities.
Chapter 9 specifically talks about a curriculum for Christlikeness. Check it out. You probably read it before. It’s worth a second and a third read.
I just listened to it on cd having read it twice before. It’s a marvelous discussion of the Divine Conspiracy to restore our world and prepare it for the kingdom now and to come.
A quick update on my prayer and efforts to get involved missionally in my community and in God’s story.
I spent most of Sunday afternoon gettng to know a young christian man who is also of a missional persuasion. He might just be one of God’s answers to my prayers. He has invited me try the Toastmasters club he attends. Hmmmm….this can help me with my personal lack of confidence in “mingling” or engaging people I don’t know in conversation. Defiinetly a good missional skill to work on I think. While there I will also get to develop relationships with unbeliveing people from my community. I may be wrong (I often am) but maybe this is God at work.
Also, last Thursday I went mountain biking for the first time. Tons of people were there biking. I really enjoyed it. I did not break any bones or puke so I considered the outing a success. I need the exercise and maybe I can get to know some of the people who ride there. They were very friendly. When I had to stop pedaling and push my bike for a while several inquired to see if I needed any help. lol
Jerry,
Definitely sounds like God is answering your prayers in very tangible ways. Those stories are so encouraging. May you feel the presence of Christ as you venture out in his name! I’m learning that a big part of “living missionally” isn’t always about doing different things (going to a soup kitchen), but doing things differently (mountain biking as Jesus representative.)
I love the point you made about how these people helped you. I think mutual learning and encouragement is a major component of missional living. We are not the “saviors” arriving with all the answers, we are fellow pilgrims on the journey.
Press on!
Good stuff Jerry,
I love God for the way he is working in your life.
Jamie, thanks for the posting an excerpt from my book!
I hope you and your family are well.