Thrive in the City by Living Into the Great StorySample

Transforming Culture 

The story God invites us into points to the renewal of all things that are both already and not yet. Our role as image bearers and Jesus followers is to participate in this renewal by loving God, ourselves, others, and creation. The power of the Holy Spirit and our attentiveness to our own transformation into Christ-likeness allows us to be a transformative presence in the world around us. 

Simply put, transformed individuals transform culture. 

However, attempting to change the culture in our workplace, community, or city without putting any effort in our own transformation would be similar to attempting to rescue someone who is drowning without training to be a strong swimmer. 

You may die trying. 

Our formation into Christ-likeness goes beyond external manifestations of Christ-likeness or moral conformity but involves one’s inner-character transformation to resemble that of Jesus. It’s expected that we become more like Jesus as we mature in a life of faith. So how are we to become partakers of this divine nature?

The process of discipleship involves surrendering your personal kingdom to God’s kingdom. Your personal kingdom is: 

A. How you live in your BODY;

B. The patterns of thought in your MIND;

C. Your FEELINGS, EGO & IDENTITY;

D. Your RELATIONSHIPS;

E. The ethics of your SPENDING AND POSSESSIONS;

F. Your WORK and VOCATION;

G. How you spend your discretionary TIME; and

H. Where your heart finds its TREASURE.

The transformation of mind, body, and spirit requires discipline and a purposeful change in normal activities and patterns of habit. There is no drifting into the ways of Jesus. As Dallas Willard has put forth, God’s grace is opposed to earning, but not opposed to effort on our part. Paul says to “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  1 Timothy 4:7-8

How did Jesus teach his disciples? He knew information alone would not transform them. Jesus formed their inner world as a community of practice by engaging their head, heart, and hands by giving them practical foretastes of the kingdom of God and opportunities to participate within it. Jesus was their Rabbi inviting them to make a pilgrimage into the heart and life of God. 

Take a moment with God.

What areas of your personal kingdom do you need to surrender to God’s Kingdom?

Talk to the people in your community of practice (church, small group) about ways in which your faith can better engage your head, heart, and hands.