The Provocative Church

by Graham Tomlin

About the book

9780281060061 - Provocative Church 3rd EditionThis lively book offers a practical theology of evangelism and the local church. Alpha, Emmaus and the like have proved excellent tools for those interested in Christianity. But what about those not interested? The basic theme of Life in the Kingdom of God is that we need ‘provocative’ churches which raise the question asked by the onlookers in Acts 2:12: ‘What does all this mean?’ Only when people have seen something in church or Christian life that is provocative or attractive, will they be intrigued enough to want to know what’s going on.

You can buy The Provocative Church here.

About the author

The Revd. Dr. Graham Tomlin is Vice Principal and Tutor in Historical Theology and Evangelism at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served in a parish in Exeter before becoming Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford. Among his publications are The Power of the Cross (Paternoster, 1999) and Luther and his World (Lion 2002). He is married with two children.

Questions about The Provocative Church

1. Read the brief quotes from John Diamond and Derek Draper on pages 1, 3 and 5. Do you know people with similar views; and where do you fit in the spectrum between John’s lack of interest and Derek’s changed life? What do you understand by ‘evangelism’ and what kind of evangelism do you think is most appropriate for your church, if you have one, and for you?

2. What do you understand by the Christian concept of The Kingdom of God? Where, if anywhere do you look for it? Can you give examples of what you would describe as the The Kingdom of God in action?

3. Chapter 4 contains summaries of ten theses:

  • The gospel centres on the Lordship of Christ
  • Church and Kingdom are not the same
  • The Community of Jesus has the task of bearing witness to his rightful rule
  • Church is to be a visible reminder of life under God’s rule
  • The Church is to announce the Kingship of God
  • Evangelism involves words
  • The Church exists to invite people to unite under the rule of God
  • Evangelism lies at the heart of the Church’s identity
  • Evangelism can never stand alone
  • The Kingdom speaks to the culture

4. a)  Ask individuals to present a brief summary of one of these and then discuss.

b)  Choose one of the above that you find attractive and helpful and one which you find less so – perhaps you find it confusing or it simply doesn’t resonate with your experience. Discuss these together exploring your different reactions.

5. There are several stories in Chapter 5 about groups of Christians acting selflessly because they believe that they are following the example of Jesus. Do you have experience of Christian or other groups behaving in this way? Are there things that your church could do in a similar fashion?

6. Chapter 6 asks, ‘Is my church worth going to?’ If you go to a church, what would your reply be? What is it that makes going to church ‘worth it’? And is this the right question to ask?

7. In Chapter 7 Graham Tomlin makes the claim that ‘the church is to be an arena in which people can be transformed into full humanity, the image of God’. Imagine such a place, such a community that really worked. What would it look like and can you point to echoes or suggestions of it from your experience?

8. Chapter 8 offers insights on:

  • A new relationship with God – Adoration
  • A new relationship with others – Belonging
  • A new relationship with creation – Compassion
  • A new relationship with the self – Discipleship
  • A new relationship with words – Evangelism

Do you find this A,B,C,D, helpful? Is one or more particularly so? Why?

9. Has reading this book changed your understanding of evangelism?