The world is evolving at a quickened pace. Culture. Technology. Politics. Philosophy. The pursuit of science. Social equity. It is a wonder that God can keep up (sarcasm here).
Do you ever feel that your time in spiritual pursuit is either non-existent or decidedly un-engaging? That you are disconnected or even in the dark regarding issues of the soul? That you are only going through the motions? Perhaps you are hanging out with shallow or unmotivated others with regard to their own authentic faith?
I read a book a few years back entitled “The Shaping of Things to Come.” It explains some of the things that helped believers in the wake of Jesus’ appearing to long for and pursue what it meant to experience authentic, living faith. After all, can true living faith be anything other than authentic?
You will enjoy the explanation of principles of first century authenticity, story illustrations, and the strait-forward and non-americanized freedom from which these authors communicate.
The prescription for 21st century authenticity?
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-5
I think these Shaping conversations will motivate you to evaluate and consider strategies which will connect (or reconnect) you with the genuine reality of an alive spirituality. Did you know that Jesus mentioned the word church only a few times but spoke of the Kingdom over 100 times? Why do you think this is? You can find my Kingdom audiobook to the right.
Enjoy this Shaping conversation!
Dave Nadler
A Summary of Authentic Kingdom Community
Shaping Questions
Quotes from the Shaping book (in case you won’t read the book)
A Good Shaping Song