Discover the biblical story of God's missional church.

Theologian Michael Goheen explores the mission of the church by grounding its identity and purpose in the overarching narrative we find in the Bible. The Bible's story reveals a church whose vocation is to be the "new humanity," a people gathered, formed, and empowered by Jesus to live out and display the life of God's coming kingdom for the sake of the world.

The Bible's vision is cosmic, communal, and personal, and it redefines mission as a way of life in which the church embodies God's blessing and rule, drawing others to turn and look to Jesus.

You should take this course to:

• Clarify the Church's True Identity: Move beyond modern cultural narratives (like consumerism or nationalism) to find the church's foundational role in God's universal, historical purpose.

• Deepen Your Understanding of the Gospel: Learn to see the gospel not merely as a personal salvation plan, but as the announcement of God's kingdom, which has cosmic and communal implications.

• Understand Your Missional Vocation: Be equipped to live a distinctive, counter-cultural life that acts as a "preview" of the new creation, challenging the dehumanizing narratives of contemporary life.

• Gain a Framework for Ministry: Learn how the church's gatheredlife (through worship, fellowship, and Scripture) is meant to empower its scattered life (in homes, workplaces, and the wider world) for global witness.

This course is based on A Light to the Nations, made in partnership with Baker Publishing.