STAND FIRM: Following Jesus is the Epic Life

      If you’re still reading these articles after a 12-parter, then thank you! That was a long series, of course. When you’re writing about trying to tell the epic story of truth in the Bible, 12 weeks is short! I hope, even though you have a great handle on Scripture, that some new connections were made, and the story of the Bible grew in your mind and heart. I even hope it stirred up some questions you hadn’t thought to ask. More than anything, I hope it reminded you just how amazing your life in Christ is! Following Jesus is the Epic Life.

      The series probably gave away why the name of the mission in Pea Ridge is called Epic Life. The story we’re invited into through salvation is theepic story, but it’s not a tale that’s distant from us but one we get to live. There is no other cause in life we could become involved in that would even scratch the surface of the epicness of following Jesus.

      So often, we focus on the “new life” we get in Jesus, which is amazing, but that can become just a one-time transactional idea, while our decision to follow Jesus isn’t a singular transaction that gives us a ticket for something epic in the age to come. Rather, each and every day, we step in that epic path as we follow Jesus. Through the work in Pea Ridge, we hope to bring out this reality. It is also aimed especially at the emerging generations because research from groups like Barna and Pew Research show that the reason young people leave church and even the faith is because it is too safe and doesn’t encompass the questions they have. This isn’t indicative of the Bible or a true walk with the Lord but is indicative of the minute sliver the gospel and story of truth has been boiled down to in modern-western Christian teaching. Following Jesus and the teaching in the Bible leads to the greatest life that can be lived. There is nothing God’s Word and ways doesn’t encompass. Scripture defines reality rather than tries to describe it.

      In Pea Ridge, our goal is to develop coaches who serve as missionaries in their neighborhood or network of people. We’re trying to start a group in every neighborhood. In those groups we use the Discovery Bible Study method. We simply read Scripture together and ask a few simple questions. We make sure Scripture has the final word. Part of that vision is that everyone who comes through an Epic Life Connection Group will have the same foundation.

      To do this, we have created a series of Bible studies. The first is what we call the Epic Life Dare, which is a 12-week Discovery Bible Study of the articles you just read. Then we have a series on what the Epic Life truly is. Just think about all the “benefits” that come with salvation and following Jesus! We need to reflect on what we have in Christ! Then we talk about how we follow Jesus. We want to help people enjoy this epic life because following Jesus is the epic life.

      That brings me to a challenge — are you following Jesus? As you can tell in this article, I’m intentionally using “following Jesus” rather than “being a Christian.” There can be a difference. I’ve been a “Christian” and not necessarily followed Jesus.

      One of the goals of sharing the Epic Story of Truth is to point out parts of the story of Scripture that get left out. I particularly point out missing pieces such as the end of the age, God’s continued plan for Israel and the unseen world, but there’s an even greater thing we leave out in modern Christianity — following Jesus.

      We talk about salvation with phrases like “being saved,” “born again” or “asking Jesus into our heart.” They aren’t wrong. Well, the last one might not be the best phrasing, but we know what we’re trying to say. These phrases are biblical. Paul uses the salvation phrasing. Romans 10:13 is a great example. The Old Testament foretells of a coming salvation. The Messiah, Jesus, is referred to as Savior. Jesus talks about being born again in John 3. All of these are true and biblical, but they can give a static idea rather than a dynamic one. Jesus often used the invitation to follow Him, and it would be helpful to us to keep that in the mix of how we refer to salvation and belonging to Christ because following Jesus is the epic life.

         — Jake is a state missionary and would love to share about the work in Northwest Arkansas and encourage your church to stand firm. (standfirmministries.com)