Since I’m a pastor, I’m deeply interested in being a part of and/or seeing God bring restoration and healing into people’s lives. It’s a joy to see God’s work in this area. If you have an interest in that, I want to recommend that you pick up Kevin Scott’s new book, ReCreatable: How God Heals the Brokenness of Life.
In Scott’s eyes, being a follower of Jesus means that we become someone who:
“reflects his glory
by living well
in a pocket of the kingdom.”
From this summary, Scott builds on each of the three lines and add his take on how God is at work in the lives of his people (as well as how we can be used to help in that process). As Scott notes, “God is in the business of putting broken lives and relationships back together again.” Amen. I totally agree.
Stand out chapters, in my opinion, are on “Hope,” “Scripture,” “Community,” and “Mission.” Scott travels a well worn path with fresh observations and helpful challenges. The ecclesiological dimensions in regards to how the community of faith functions as a “family,” body,” and “pocket of the kingdom” are beautiful. I really appreciate how Scott sees the relationship between the church and the kingdom of God.
I can honestly say that I didn’t have anything to constructively push back on. I plan on having my people in small groups in our congregation take a look at this book because I think it is that fantastic. Plus, it comes with a small group discussion guide! Here are a stand out quotes:
“Sustainable discipleship is not driven by accomplishment, and it is not results-oriented. Instead it focuses on the process of growing in Christ, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation as we cooperate in the ways that we know how.” (p.83)
“When Christians come to God in worship, we never do so as the initiator. It was not our idea to worship God, and we do not spontaneously decide to do so out of the goodness of our hearts. Our worship is always a response. It’s a response to God’s invitation and command to worship him. It’s a response to his mighty works, his position in the world, his great love for us, his mercy, his grace, and his work of redemption in our lives.” (p.167)
If you are a follower of Jesus who is concerned with making other followers of Jesus, get this book. You won’t regret it!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review*
Luke is a pastor-theologian living in northern California, serving as a co-lead pastor with his life, Dawn, at the Red Bluff Vineyard. Father of five amazing kids, when Luke isn’t hanging with his family, reading or writing theology, he moonlights as a fly fishing guide for Confluence Outfitters. He blogs regularly at LukeGeraty.com and regularly contributes to his YouTube channel.
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