In the Mack student group, we’re going to be discussing Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, subtitled “Repainting the Christian Faith”.

Some of it is very, very good. Some of it is pretty bad. A lot of it just seems confused, though it raises some good questions.

All this makes it ideal for a group of students to get their teeth into, testing it, thinking about it, wrestling with it, as the book commendably recommends that we do.

To help us see how it measures up against what the Bible says, I’ve put together a few questions. This week we’ll be looking at the introduction and first “movement” (chapters aren’t cool enough, apparently).

Introduction

• Does the Christian faith always need repainting, as Rob Bell argues?
• Are there non-negotiables that are fixed and unchanging?
• “The pursuit of Jesus is leading us backwards as much as forwards”. What essentials do we need to return to? What elements of how we live out the Christian faith need repainting?

Movement 1: Jump

• Does everyone follow someone? If so, what difference does this make?
• Is Jesus’ way just “a better way to live”, or is there more to it?
• If God reveals himself, can we say that the “springs” emerged over time?
• Should we “invite people to jump on the trampoline”, rather than “defend the wall”? What does this look like in practice?
• Are all questions good? What’s the difference between a good and a bad question?
• Is “our joy” the point of the Christian faith? Is this what “Delight yourself in the Lord” means?