Surprised by Hope Bible Study Participant's Guide

1. Heaven and Earth: Interlocking Spheres of God's Creation

Heaven and earth are the two interlocking spheres of God's good creation.

God's space and our space. Heaven is not a distant, disconnected realm, but the control room for earth. This understanding reshapes our view of God's presence and activity in the world. It means that God is intimately involved in earthly affairs, and that our actions have cosmic significance.

Overlap and intersection. The Bible presents a vision of reality where heaven and earth are meant to come together. This convergence began with Jesus' incarnation and resurrection, and continues through the work of the Church. We are called to be agents of this heavenly invasion, bringing God's will "on earth as it is in heaven."

Examples of heaven-earth intersection:

• Prayer
• Worship
• Acts of justice and compassion
• Moments of divine intervention or guidance

2. Resurrection: The Beginning of God's New Creation

Easter was when Hope in person surprised the whole world by coming forward from the future into the present.

Bodily resurrection. Jesus' resurrection was not just a spiritual event, but a physical one. This affirms the goodness of the material world and sets the pattern for God's redemption of all creation. It challenges both the idea of a disembodied afterlife and the notion that the physical world is disposable.

New creation launched. The resurrection of Jesus marks the beginning of God's new creation breaking into the present. It is not just about individual salvation, but the renewal of the entire cosmos. This has profound implications for how we view our role in the world today.

Implications of resurrection belief:

• Affirmation of the physical world's value
• Hope for the transformation of all creation
• Motivation for environmental stewardship
• Basis for working towards justice and renewal in the present

3. The Kingdom of God: Already Here, Not Yet Fully Realized

God's kingdom in the preaching of Jesus refers not to postmortem destiny, not to our escape from this world into another one, but to God's sovereign rule coming "on earth as it is in heaven."

Present reality. The kingdom of God is not just a future hope, but a present reality that began with Jesus' ministry. It is God's rule and reign breaking into the world, challenging and transforming human systems and structures.

Tension of the "already and not yet." While the kingdom has been inaugurated, it is not yet fully realized. This creates a dynamic tension in which Christians live, working towards the full manifestation of God's reign while recognizing its partial presence now.

Signs of the kingdom in the present:

• Acts of justice and mercy
• Reconciliation and peacemaking
• Healing and restoration
• Communities embodying God's love and justice

4. Salvation: More Than Just Going to Heaven

Salvation is not "going to heaven" but "being raised in life in God's new heaven and new earth."

Holistic redemption. Biblical salvation encompasses the whole person - body, soul, and spirit - and extends to the entire creation. It's not about escaping the world, but about its transformation and renewal.

Present and future dimensions. Salvation has both present and future aspects. It involves our current transformation and participation in God's work of renewal, as well as the hope of final resurrection and new creation.

Aspects of biblical salvation:

• Forgiveness of sins
• Reconciliation with God and others
• Inner transformation by the Holy Spirit
• Participation in God's mission of renewal
• Future bodily resurrection
• New heavens and new earth

5. The Second Coming: Jesus Returning to Make All Things New

There will come a time, which might indeed come at any time, when, in the great renewal of the world that Easter itself foreshadowed, Jesus himself will be personally present and will be the agent and model of the transformation that will happen both to the whole world and also to believers.

Culmination of God's plan. The second coming is not about the destruction of the world, but its full renewal and transformation. It's the moment when God's space and our space fully merge, and creation reaches its intended goal.

Judge and Renewer. Jesus will return as both judge and renewer. His judgment is not merely punitive, but restorative - setting right all that is wrong in the world. This hope shapes how we live and work in the present.

Implications of the second coming:

• Motivation for faithful living and service
• Hope in the face of injustice and suffering
• Commitment to stewardship of creation
• Anticipation of full restoration and renewal

6. Christian Hope: Active Participation in God's Renewal of Creation

If we are engaging in the work of new creation, in seeking to bring advance signs of God's eventual new world into being in the present, in justice and beauty and a million other ways, then at the center of the picture stands the personal call of the gospel of Jesus to every child, woman, and man.

Hope in action. Christian hope is not passive waiting, but active participation in God's work of renewal. It involves bringing signs of God's future into the present through acts of justice, beauty, and love.

Transformative power. This hope has the power to transform individuals and communities. It gives purpose and meaning to our work and relationships, seeing them in light of God's larger plan for creation.

Ways to participate in God's renewal:

• Working for justice and peace
• Creating and appreciating beauty
• Caring for the environment
• Building communities of love and reconciliation
• Sharing the gospel message

7. The Church's Mission: Building for God's Kingdom Today

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Kingdom builders. The church's mission is to be a sign and foretaste of God's kingdom. This involves both proclaiming the gospel and embodying its reality through our actions and communities.

Eternal significance of present work. Our current efforts in line with God's purposes have eternal significance. They are not just temporary fixes, but contribute to the new creation God is bringing about.

Areas of kingdom-building work:

• Evangelism and discipleship
• Social justice initiatives
• Creation care projects
• Artistic and cultural engagement
• Peacemaking and reconciliation efforts
• Building life-giving communities

Last updated: September 12, 2024