The first step in evangelizing is to move and be moved by God and by the spiritual needs of others. And our hope is also that both the person who shares the Good News about Jesus and the one who receives this life-giving message, are moved by the Holy Spirit. So “getting in shape” and “keeping fit” for the evangelizing mission of Jesus Christ and the Church means improving our ability to move through regular “working outs”! The goal is to stretch our capacity to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus in everyday life.
Who is God for You?
Beginning with a Baylor University Institute for Studies of Religion over 15 years ago, many of us were surprised to realize that American Catholics seem to have four different preferred images of who God is. Although we cannot change their preferred image(s), we need to understand their thoughts and the story of how they came to believe in them.
We always try listen in a non-judgmental way and without giving advice. At some point we might ask, “How is that image working for you?” If someone says, “I don’t believe in God?” Then we might ask, “Can you tell me about this God that you don’t believe in?” At some point in our conversation, we also hope to share who God is for us and how we came to believe this way.
“Who is God for YOU?” Individual Activity (5 min.)
Below are short descriptions of the major images of God that were surfaced in the Baylor University study. In silence, reflect on your preferred image of God, the one that usually arises have when you pray, study, worship, or speak to others about the Lord. Keep in mind that many of us slide from one image to another quite easily.
Circle the description of God that is closest to your image.
□ Authoritative God: highly involved in personal decision-making and world affairs—responsible for economic problems, earthquakes, tsunamis—sends down punishment to unfaithful people now and in the future.
□ Benevolent God: highly involved and active in our daily lives, but not in angry and wrathful ways—positive influence upon, and deeply engaged in, our world.
□ Critical God: does not interact directly with the world, but views it and us unfavorably. God’s displeasure with us will be felt in divine justice after we die.
□ Distant God: does not “do” things in the world nor hold any opinions about us or world events. God is a cosmic force that set the laws of nature in motion and walked away.
Share within a small parish/neighborhood group (3 or 4 people—10-20 min.)
- Each person explains which of these major images is “God for YOU.” Why did you choose that image(s)?
- Next go back over the four images and put the initials of three people from your everyday life next to what you would guess is their primary image of God. [if appropriate, ask them later.]
- Share about the similarities and differences that you and the people in your group have about the images of God.
- Why is it important to understand what people’s operative image of God is when we try to reach out to share faith, to evangelize, and to invite others to come back to Jesus and the Mass?
People-Homework: Share with a family member or friend
You can use this exercise to informally survey friends and family about their perceptions about God. An opening might be, “Can you help me with homework I have received from my parish?” Use questions 1 – 3, but skip #4 above.
Window illustration by Peter J Boucher