I’m reading Kyle Strobel’s Metamorpha and have invited you to join me in some discussion, so here goes for part 1 of the book.

Part 1 - Metamorpha: A New Way of Seeing

Chapter 1 - Our Need: A New Way of Seeing

Kyle begins by presenting the need for a new vision, a new way of seeing, a new worldview. We all have a worldview whether or not we know what it is. This vision shapes how we live, what we believe and what we accept. He writes, “The story we are telling has everything to do with the worldview we have, and redeeming this worldview should be central to our lives as disciples.”

The problem is that many of us get stuck in our worldview and unfortunately that worldview is not completely Biblical. However, “the Christian life is a life of increasing sight”. In other words, the Christian life is one of constant growth and change. “The enemy of a health faith is a worldview that is static and “complete”.”

Discussion (from the downloadable study guide)

Write down the first three attributes that come to your mind when you think about God, and then spend some time meditating and praying about why those three came to mind. Afterwards, discuss these questions:
• What do these three attributes tell you about what you think of God?
• Do these attributes say more about you, God, or your church/family background, etc.?

List three things you do (or think you should do) to make sure your worldview does not become static. How often do you really make these things a priority in your life?

Chapter 2 - Our Hope: Embracing Metamorpha

In this next chaper, Kyle discusses the difference between the “metamorpha” life and the static life. He also presents what he believes are the primary worldview informers for the Christian: Bible, Spirit, Community.  I like how he presents conversion as a “passport”. A passport is needed if you want to travel the world, but it is just a piece of paper until you use it. When we see the Christian life as a journey then our conversion becomes like a passport, rather than the destination itself. This reminds me of Gordon Smith’s book Beginning Well: Christian Conversion and Authentic Transformation in which he says that conversion must lead to transformation.

When we think in these terms, our ideas of what a “healthy” Christian life changes as well. “The healthy Christian life is not understood as complete or having arrived but in terms of journeying well, guided by the three worldview informers.” This reminds me of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:12-14.

This concept of the Metamorpha life is the basis on which we can begin to journey forward into transformation.

Discussion

Have my life and worldview led me simply to do “religious” things, or to come to a deeper knowledge and love of Jesus? Am I in a place in my life where I can expect to answer this question honestly, or could I be deceiving myself? Why or why not? What are some of the teachings in the New Testament that talk
about what the Christian life should look like?

When confronted with the reality that your worldview may be maligned or naïve, how are you tempted to respond? Are you tempted to ignore that possibility, to lose faith, to be angry or overwhelmed? What does that say about you and your worldview?

Chapter 3 - Our Reality: A Tale of Two Visions

Chapter 3 wraps up Part 1 of the book which serves as a foundation on which the rest of the book will build upon.  The reality of what our worldview is can easily be seen in the way we live our life. We can say we believe certain things, but how we live is the true test of our beliefs.

In this chapter Kyle presents two types of churchs (or Christians for that matter): solidified/static and developmental/metamorpha. This builds on the last two chapters but now address how these two visions (worldviews) determine the way we live and “do” church. He has some stinging but often true remarks:

• We have found it easier to make churches that are exciting than to make disciples who are holy
• The underlying problem with these churches is that they are in the business not of disciple making but of church growing

For me, the vision of a developmental/metamorpha church is exciting and got me energized! This is, I believe, what Jesus has in mind for His Bride.

Discussion

Do your solutions to your problems deal with the fruit that is appearing in your life, or with the roots?

In what way do you “take your spiritual temperature?”

So, whether or not you’ve read Part 1, feel free to join in on the conversation! Leave your thoughts, comments, questions, whatever in the comments section.

Tags: book club, metamorpha, spiritual formation

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