EXEGESIS (ěk’sə-jē‘sĭs) Critical explanation or analysis; to interpret
We need to exegete…culture in the same way that missionaries have been so good at doing with diverse tribal culture of previously unreached people. We need to exegete…the themes of Rolling Stones…, Dennis Rodman, Madonna, (and) David Letterman…We need to comprehend that the Spirit of the Living God is at work in these cultural expressions, preparing the hearts of men and women to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have to find, in good missionary fashion, those motifs and themes that connect with the truths of the gospel. We need to learn how to proclaim, “That which you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.” This is the missionary vision at its best.
-Craig Van Gelder
Questions your MC can ask in the process of understanding your culture and mission:
- What are the emotional needs of the elderly, families, teens, singles, men, women, children?
- What are the social, economic or educational needs of the same?
- What are the flaws and difficulties with the systems of the community?
- What is their worldview?
- What redemptive analogies best fit this culture?
- What does this culture understand about the basic components of the gospel story?
- What questions are being asked in the culture that point to their need for the gospel?
US Literacy Facts That Impact Our Exegesis:
Did you know that in the USA…
- Over 50% of people over age 16 are functionally illiterate*.
- 58% of the U.S. adult population never reads another book after high school.
- 42% of college graduates never read another book.
- 80% of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.
- 57% of new books are not read to completion. Most readers do not get past page 18 in a book they have purchased.
- Each day, people in the US spend four hours watching TV, three hours listening to the radio and 14 minutes reading magazines.
- It is estimated that people spend as much as 80% of their non-working, non-sleeping time in front of a screen - TV or computer.
*Does this affect or change how we declare and demonstrate the gospel in our community?
Statistics compiled from:
- National Center for Education Statistics > nces.ed.gov
- National Institute for Literacy > nifl .gov
- Chronological Bible Storying > chronologicalbiblestorying.com
- International Mission Board (Southern Baptist) > www.imb.org
image: York Minister by: vgm8383
