Spiritual Applications from D.I.C.E. 2016

Every year since 2002 there has been a meeting of the greatest minds in video game design and development. This meeting is called the D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit. The 2016 D.I.C.E. Summit was held in Las Vegas from February 16-18. Tommy Francois (VP Editorial, Ubisoft) spoke concerning how to build engaging open worlds. After his presentation, I started thinking about one of the statements he made, and realized it has tremendous application to the church concerning both Bible study and world evangelism.

Tommy talked about the pitfalls of world creation, citing their production of a game set in New York as an example. Their game world was being shaped mostly by what they had seen in movies and other forms of media, and as a result it became an inaccurate and diluted picture of New York. Speaking to the team, he said, “You’ve become a digestion of their creative process”. The same pitfall exists in Bible study.

For some, Bible study consists mainly of listening to the preacher’s sermons from the pulpit and following along as he reads the Scriptures and explains his understanding of them. While listening to another’s conclusions based on good, exegetical Bible study can provide much needed clarity on difficult passages, it should never replace the individual, open minded search through the Scriptures for God’s truth. The faith of those who never dig into the Scriptures for themselves becomes diluted, a digestion of the preacher’s study process. Evangelism can suffer the same fate.

When evangelism is discussed, and especially the sort involving every member’s time rather than just the preacher’s, some of the only comments concern what has been seen and heard from other congregations, rather than what the Bible teaches and how best to accomplish it today. Outreach molded solely by others’ experiences becomes diluted, a digestion of their evangelistic process. Instead of talking about failures and successes others have seen, examine the talents of those present, the available tools and resources, and the local culture. Use those factors to find an effective approach which involves every member of the congregation, as God intends.

Every congregation of the Lord’s people can accomplish great things if each member digs into the Word of God, and each member is involved in a cooperative, congregational, evangelistic effort. Let’s work together and get the gospel to the lost, because time is running out!