As we discussed last Sunday, we’re planning to add another tool to our evangelistic toolbox. It’s called “Life Explored” (LE). You can go HERE to see some sample videos.
Below is what we handed out to give an overview of this helpful outreach tool:
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What’s the Big Idea of Life Explored?
We all want to be happy. Why is lasting happiness so hard to find? Life Explored (LE) is an exposé of the little gods that promise us so much happiness, yet deliver so little. As it explores the Bible story (creation, fall, redemption, new creation), Life Explored shows how our deepest desires for happiness can only be satisfied in one person, Jesus Christ. The best gift God can give us is himself.
At a time in the Western world when basic knowledge of the Bible is increasingly rare, it is a pleasure to recommend Life Explored. Here is an introduction to the good news found in Jesus Christ, sweeping through some of the “big pictures” in the Bible. As far as a short series can, Life Explored outlines what the Bible is about, exposes our idolatry, and makes clear where forgiveness and hope lie. This is one of the best of the rising number of evangelistic tools addressing men and women in the twenty-first century. – D. A. Carson
For Whom is LE Intended?
LE has been designed to speak powerfully to those who don’t consider themselves to be religious and have never read the Bible. But it will also provoke good discussions among followers of Christ, too.
What are the Distinctives of LE?
- Introduces a biblical worldview: Because in the West, we can no longer take any level of biblical literacy for granted, LE gives people the context they need to be able to understand who Jesus is and why he came. A panoramic view of the Bible is given – creation, fall, redemption and new creation – rather than just a narrow slice of the picture.
- Focuses on the nature of God: Because we can no longer assume that the God many have rejected is actually the triune God revealed in Scripture, each session emphasizes a different aspect of God’s wondrous character and work – i.e., the good God, the trustworthy God, the generous God, the liberating God, etc.
- Teaches sin as idolatry: Because it’s more readily acknowledged among post-moderns than the concept of law-breaking, LE explains sin as idolatry. People begin to see that they are worshipers of something, whatever that may be, and if it is not the living God who made them and gives them every good thing they enjoy, their chosen god will “eat them alive” (to use David Foster Wallace’s phrase).
- Uses visually-engaging tools: Because of the way Nathan brings David to repentance in 2 Samuel 12 – telling him a story which “catches the conscience of the King” – LE includes a series of short films which help people to grasp biblical truth in a deeper, more convicting way.
How does a typical LE session work?
- Meal: begin with a simple meal together
- Film 1: introduces the theme for the evening (10 minutes)
- Discussion: brief introductory discussion of the theme (5 minutes)
- Bible: a Scripture reading connected with the theme (2 minutes)
- Film 2: a visually-engaging teaching on the theme (15 minutes)
- Bible: a passage that further develops the theme (3 minutes)
- Discussion: an investigative Bible study of the above passage (25 minutes)
LE covers seven sessions; the intended start date is FRIDAY, APRIL 26 (the week after Easter)
