Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Week 14: Part III, Chapter 13 — Rethinking the Church's Mission
Read Part III, Chapter 13 of Surprised by Hope. Key passages: Matthew 5:13–16; Luke 4:18–19; Isaiah 61; James 2:14–26.
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Wright offers a five-fold framework for the Church's mission in the world — and insists that getting eschatology right has revolutionary implications for how the Church engages society.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Wright argues that 'mission' is often understood too narrowly as 'verbal proclamation of the gospel for the purpose of converting souls.' What is the fuller vision of mission he presents, rooted in the inauguration of God's new creation?
2.Wright outlines five dimensions of the Church's mission: evangelism, service, justice work, art and culture, and prayer. Which of these five does your church take most seriously? Which is most neglected, and why do you think that is?
3.Wright makes a striking claim: that when Christians work for justice, beauty, and human flourishing in the world, they are not just doing 'social work' — they are anticipating and participating in the coming new creation. What is the theological basis for this claim?
a.Does this raise the stakes for your work, or does it feel like an overstatement? Why?
b.How does it guard against the idea that 'secular' work is less spiritually significant than 'church' work?
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