November 12, 2024
The pickaxe is a simple tool for breaking up the ground and opening up paths for new life. The ground can be hard, but we work with the Spirit, preparing the way for authentic Gospel renewal.
But are we personally engaged in Gospel renewal?
Like the Samaritan woman, who met Jesus at the well, we seek the Living Water to quench our thirst. With this encounter, she not only learned who Jesus was, but also the truth of her own story.
She was in need of a Messiah.
In turn, Jesus became the main character in her life. And with a joyful passion, she shared this story, bringing the good news of Jesus to her community.
There are many wonderful devotional models that help people access the Living Water. The difference with the method presented here is that it considers the biblical context and culture first, before jumping to "application."
The key concept in this method is that of story. How do we let this story shape who we are? How do we drink deep the story of God?
God's Story
At a very basic level, a story consists of setting, plot, characters, and some form of resolution. The Bible is no different and contains all these elements (see The Blue Parakeet, 67).
What is the story?
God created the world with humans bearing his image. However, we betrayed our Creator and brought corruption into the world. We are now separated from the presence of God.
The consequence is death.
Nonetheless, God began a redemptive path forward by making covenant with Abraham. Through the Mosaic law, God intended to make Israel a light to the nations. Sadly, the story of Israel ended in failure. Despite the prophetic calls to return to God, they did not keep covenant.
They ended up in exile. Something more was needed to overcome sin and evil.
The prophets foresaw a Messiah, who would come not with military power like David, but as a suffering servant. Jesus of Nazareth is that Messiah, who proclaimed the Kingdom of God on earth. He was crucified for the forgiveness of sins and raised on the third day. Through faith in Jesus, we are reconciled to our Creator.
Why did God do this? Because of his eternal love for us!
The Lord sent the Spirit of God to the church to bear witness to kingdom of God. The church lives out and preaches the Gospel to all nations until the consummation of all things. Christ will return to bring judgement on all evil and redeem those who put their faith in him.
God's people will reign with him for all eternity in the new creation.
Journal Method
The Pickaxe Journal Method seeks to ask questions that help us listen to God sensitive to the biblical story. This method of study is a variation of Paul Scott Wilson's The Four Page Sermon.
We begin with a prayer, becoming silent before him, ready to hear his voice.
There is no pressure to read the entire Bible in a specific time. Just stay engaged in the story, not loosing the forest for the trees. It is like a daily liturgy, sinking the roots of our soul in the story of God, experiencing Gospel renewal.
What problem is addressed in the biblical story?
What problem, conflict, or crisis does the story/text address in its primary context? Is there a particular form of sin or human brokenness that is being addressed?
It is okay if we don't have all the answers to this, as it may require further reading. Nonetheless, it is important to realise that the Bible was written in ancient Middle Eastern culture, governed by values of honour and shame. Even when we read something from the law of Moses or a Psalm or Proverb, everything was written in this particular culture context and history. Consider using a commentary to assist you in this step.
Example from John 1:35-51. People in the story are in search of a Messiah. As readers, we are told that Jesus is the Messiah. John the Baptist recognises him as the Lamb of God (1:36). John's disciples inquire after Jesus (1:37). Jesus asks them, "what do you seek?" (I:38) However, some are a bit more skeptical, like Nathaniel (1:46). Could this man from Nazareth really be the Messiah?
Where do we see the problem in our story?
How does this issue or conflict relate to our lives in our culture? Can we see how the issues raised in the Bible are also a problem in our own world?
Of course, this does not mean that every problem or issue will directly correspond to our lives or our culture.
The challenge is to discern the deeper problem that we share in common, regardless of which culture or time period that we live in. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where it may speak to us. Perhaps there is something in our lives the Holy Spirit wants to draw our attention to.
Is there something in our life that needs confession? Is there a problem we are facing, where we need God's help?
Example from John 1: 35-51. People in our modern Western culture are also skeptical that Jesus is the Messiah of the world. How can this be in light of the religious diversity? How can this be in light of what we know scientifically? Can God really come in the flesh?
However, people still search for a Messiah. There is still a longing for the transcendent.
What is the good news in the biblical story?
hat is the ‘good news’ of this text in the original culture? How is he affecting his redemptive story? Of course, the Gospel proper is that Jesus is the Messiah, who died for the sins of the world. He was raised from the dead and gives us his Spirit (1 Cor. 15).
However, we can assume that God is at work to redeem and to save in every passage of scripture. And in the Old Testament, we can consider how the passage may point to or anticipate Messiah Jesus. This is why it is important to have the entire story of the bible as a reference here.
For example, there are many difficult texts in the scripture that do not seem like “good news” to modern sensibilities. The challenge is probe deeper into the underlying problem and the text addresses this in redemptive way. Ultimately, we look to Jesus and the new covenant to consider what it means for us today.
Example John 1:35-51. Jesus did not turn away those who sought after him. He invited the seeking disciples to "come and see" (1:39). After spending time with Jesus, they were persuaded that he was the Messiah, sharing this with Peter (1:41-42).
Jesus persuaded Nathanial as well, by revealing that he saw him under the fig tree (1:47-48). Nathanial confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, the king of Israel (1:49).
What is the good news in our story?
Good News for us. What could this ‘good news’ mean for my life and culture today? How might the passage in question give us language to understand God’s character and work in our life? How does the story of the Bible challenge or encourage us?
This is an exciting question because it addresses the good news for today, for all nations and cultures. But it is also for each of us personally. The assumption in this reading of the Bible is that God is a God of good news, who longs reconcile and redeem the world through Jesus Christ. We can live out this Gospel through the Holy Spirit.
Example from John 1:35-51. When we seek Jesus today, he will reveal himself. Jesus can overcome our doubts, like he did with Nathanial. Jesus encountered me. I was feeling lost and empty. I sought for meaning in secular literature. Then I picked up a book about Christianity. I was convicted by the name of Jesus, which means "Yahweh saves."
I whispered, "I give in." I then sensed God's presence and put my faith in Christ.
Listening to the Lord of the story
Here we may take a moment to be silent in prayer before Jesus, the true Word of God. What does the Lord want to say to us personally?
If we believe that Jesus is Lord, then we are filled with His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12). The apostle Paul writes that the Spirit testifies in our hearts that we are God’s children (Rom 8).
Write what we hear. Some people write in the first person, “my dear child, I love you and I am your salvation…” What we hear will always correspond with the scripture.
But we also want to be open to prophetic words, for us personally or perhaps a word he wants us to share with someone. Our posture is one of open surrender to the voice and will of God.
Example from John 1:35-51. My son, keep seeking me everyday. I love you and gave my life for you. Keep going with what I have called you to do, to make my name known.
Like the early disciples, continue to lead people to spend time with me. And I will reveal myself to them too.
Prayerfully living out God's story
The final step is praying back to God what we have heard and bringing before him our petitions and concerns. Perhaps we will pray for strength and courage to live out what we have heard in the story of God.
We may want to use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide for our time of prayer (Matthew 6).
Moreover, after having spent time in his Word, we can pray with faith and confidence that God hears us. Like a loving parent, the Lord welcomes our requests, as we bring our concerns to him as a beloved child.
This is a time to worship the Lord and thank him for his grace and presence. We can use this time to personally praise the Lord and exalt the name of Jesus. This corresponds to and anticipates the end of the story, the consummation of all things.
In the book of Revelation, there is a powerful vision of all creation, all nations, and all angels gathering around Jesus, the lamb, who was slain, giving him worship (Revelation 5). We are created to worship the Lord for all eternity.
The Lord is our greatest joy and the highest purpose of our lives.
Example from John 1:35-51. Lord, I thank you for your gracious revelation and the assurance of your presence. I ask for the grace to remain in your Word. Help me to live out your story in the world, so that others may too come to know you. For you are the Messiah of the world.
May all creation worship and praise you, for who you are and what you have done. Amen.
Sources
Bartholomew, Craig G. and Goheen, Michael W. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story. Ada, Mich: Baker Academic, 2014.
McKnight, Scot. The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking how you read the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2018.
Wilson, Paul Scott. The Four Page Sermon. Nashville, Tenn: Abingdon Press, 2018