Weekly News | 8.22.25
How are we formed into Christlikeness?
Sometimes we can approach formation a bit like Michaelangelo approached sculpting.* His particular genius was seeing his vision beneath the chunk of rock: “I saw the angel and carved until I set him free.”
We might look for a sculptor (discipler) who will thoughtfully and methodically “chip away” at us, fostering our freedom in Christ. Or we might try to play that role for ourselves, identifying areas we want to grow and then reading books or amending personal habits. A lot of goodness comes from 1-1 mentorship of others and from personal engagement!
However, this view of formation doesn’t quite look like the way we see Jesus forming disciples, or the way we understand formation in the communities to which Paul wrote.
They were formed less by a sculptor, and more by a rock tumbler.
A rock tumbler takes unpolished rocks, dull and jagged, and puts them together. Adding grit, adding water, and tumbling them together over time, these rocks become smooth and lustrous. The rocks together gain an undeniable brilliance and vibrancy. A fair synopsis of Jesus’ time with the Apostles!
How are we formed into Christlikeness?
A number of good answers exist! God is endlessly, redemptively creative. But when we look at Scripture, at God’s intentional forming of a people - not just persons - part of the answer must be “together.”
Serving one another chips away at self-focus.
Encouraging one another to follow Jesus allows the gospel to penetrate the surface of our lives.
Loving one another - especially those you did not choose! - wears down our sharp edges.
Neighborhood Groups are meant to be tumblers at Church of the Cross. Places where we regularly offer not a shiny facade or finished work, but our work-in-progress dull and jagged edges. Places where we bump into each other, share the grit of everyday life and the renewing water of the Spirit. Places where God forms us, over time, in Christlikeness.
Neighborhood Groups resume the week of 9/7. If you are not already in a group, consider joining one!
Grateful to be in the COTC tumbler with you,
Sarah+
*The comparison between Michaelangelo and the tumbler comes from Rich Lamb, a former InterVarsity staff member, and I continue to be thankful for the “stickiness” of the many images he offered in his ministry.