Share Jesus Without Freaking Out series post 2/8
Principle 2: In order to share Jesus confidently and consistently with others, first share him confidently and consistently with yourself.
The next generation loves movies. Netflix, Redbox, and theatres across the country testify to this fact. Just look at the gross net for weekend ticket sales at the box office. A lot can be learned about the next generation by just observing the movies they choose to watch.
Christopher Brooker identified seven basic plotlines in movies: (1) Overcoming the monster, (2) Rags to Riches, (3) The quest, (4) Voyage and return, (5) Comedy, (6) Tragedy, and (7) Rebirth. Who doesn’t like telling a story or listening to a story? But what makes a movie great is that we get to watch a story unfold.
The Bible or God’s story is the ultimate story that traces history (His Story) from beginning to end! The gospel forms the framework of God’s story, but the gospel is so much bigger than just the burial, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. The gospel includes the puzzle pieces of Creation, Fall, Rescue, and Restoration (The Story) and the gospel informs every detail of our lives (work, marriage, family, finances, etc.), not just our salvation. But how do we share this all-encompassing glorious gospel with the world today? I’ve heard many suggestions but the one I like best is “start in their world” (or start with their worldview).
As I said, the next generation loves movies but they love movies because movies represent both fantasy and reality. Remember, a good story doesn’t always have to be true. That’s why nonfiction books are still a money maker. A fish story may not be true, but it sure is entertaining to listen to.
Alvin Reid has identified three genres of movies whereby we can insert the gospel into our natural conversations with movie lovers: (1) Man falls into a hole (think kill the dragon, get the girl), (2) Boy meets girl, and (3) Rags to riches. Examples for each movie genre include (1) Die Hard, Marvel Films like The Avengers, and Taken (2) Hitch, The Proposal, Along came Polly, The Vow, and Love Happens, and (3) Cinderella, The Princess Diaries, and What a girl wants.
So how do you use a movie to present the gospel? The same way you use the gospel pieces of Creation, Fall, Rescue, and Restoration to inform someone’s life. For example, many people who say they don’t believe in God will say Creation is beautiful. Ask them why they go to the beach, mountains, or forest to vacation? Because it’s beautiful. Point out there was a Creator. If someone is struggling with pain such as a recent death, disease, or disorder, start your conversation with the Fall, but remind them Creation wasn’t always this way (Genesis 1-3).
Last night, the UNC Tar Heels won the National Championship in NCAA basketball. Having lost the Championship game last year on a buzzer-beater, the team’s theme this season was Redemption (or Rescue). We love second chances and that’s exactly what Jesus came to give us! Listen to how Dr. Reid describes how to weave in the gospel pieces of Rescue and Restoration into your movie conversations:
“We love it when a hero in a movie rescues those in danger, we love the thought of being delivered from sin. All those storylines I mentioned above are reflected in the work of Christ. We are in a hole; only Jesus can get us out. We seek a relationship that lasts with one who loves us perfectly, and Jesus is the One. We are all in rags, paupers wrecked by sin, but Jesus will give us the riches of glory by faith. Remember “kill the dragon, get the girl”? Jesus defeated the works of the devil, that old dragon, on the cross. One day, He will present the bride of Christ, his church, at the wedding feast of the lamb. Kill the dragon; get the girl. The reason we love stories with a happily ever after, and the reason Hollywood makes movie after movie with this ending, is because we all yearn for this (when young people think about eternity, they want it to be happy ever after).”
I challenge you: Next time you hear the next generation (or any age for that matter) talking about a movie or even their own life, work into your conversation the subjects of Creation, Fall, Rescue, and Restoration!