The Power of the Big Idea

So what if we took that same trip to church, and instead of hearing lots of competing little ideas, our whole family was taught only one Big Idea?
One Big Idea is displayed on the church website.

One Big Idea is on the cover of the church bulletin you are handed at the door.

One Big Idea is projected on the screen as you listen to the prelude music while taking your seat.

One Big Idea is introduced in the welcome by the worship leader.
One Big Idea is the focus of the opening prayer.
One Big Idea is the theme of song 1 in the worship service.

One Big Idea is supported by the Scripture reading by the worship leader.

One Big Idea is the theme of song 2 in the worship service.

One Big Idea is at the heart of a secular song used as the special music.

One Big Idea and how you can understand it further in a small group is the only announcement.

One Big Idea is explained in the first — and only — point of the sermon.

One Big Idea is reinforced through a video.

One Big Idea is the theme of song 3 in the worship service.

One Big Idea is the focus of the closing prayer.

One Big Idea can be explored even more deeply by going to the “next steps” table and picking up a recommended reading list.

One Big Idea and how to have a conversation with your kids on this topic is the theme of the Kids’ City handout given to parents.

One Big Idea is the central topic of discussion at small group during the week.

One Big Idea is the focus of the prayer time during small group.

One Big Idea is reinforced by podcast and/or a webcast later in the week.

(Silence.) “Ummm” would not be your response if you were asked, “So what did you learn?” What the church needs is one unmistakable Big Idea. A crystal-clear Big Idea that calls everyone to act on Jesus’ mission.

So why does the church in the United States have 247 million Christians and not nearly enough Christ followers? And why is it that we have access to the best and most thoroughly thought-through theology in all of history yet still aren’t gaining ground in accomplishing the mission of Jesus? Could it be that we have forgotten the Big Idea and gotten lost in too many little ideas? Is it because the church of Jesus Christ has not challenged people the way Jesus challenged people — with one Big Idea, simple and clear: “Follow me”?

I no longer call myself a Christian. I no longer try to convert people to Christianity. It’s not that the title is wrong but that as a label it has come to mean something far different than what it means to follow Jesus. Being a Christian has been reduced to the expectation of niceness. How pathetic. How boring. How easy. How insignificant. And even that expectation of niceness doesn’t have to be fulfilled, because the greater expectation is hypocrisy — the practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not live out. Who would want to be associated with that?

I no longer call myself a Christian. I no longer try to convert people to Christianity. I am a Christ follower. I follow Jesus step by step as his Spirit moves me in his community called the church.

I am a Christ follower. I follow Jesus step by step as his Spirit moves me in his community called the church. When Jesus steps, I follow. When Jesus speeds up, I increase my pace. When Jesus slows down, I slow down too. The direction, the speed, and the ultimate destination of my life are determined by keeping in step with Jesus’ Spirit. Simple. Clear. Not easy!

Ferguson, D., Ferguson, J., & Bramlett, E. (2009). The big idea: focus the message---multiply the impact. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

If you need help with custom lessons for your church, please contact me. josh@joshhunt.com 575.650.4564

-- Josh Hunt