Putting together the stories

October 20- Putting Together the Stories  – John 3:16-17

Today we will put together the story line of the good news of Scripture in a way that is clear

and engaging to people outside the church. We will learn to engage the story of Scripture in a way that can be authentically shared with others. We have not only our story to share, but also the message of Scripture.

James Choung’s book, True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In, is very helpful in learning how to share the essentials of the faith with another person. His portrayal of the Big Story of Scripture is a very compelling and effective way of sharing God’s mission. By telling this story, you are able to help people identify where they are and where they want to be in the faith. The major parts of the story are the following:

1)      WE ARE DESIGNED FOR GOOD: Choung describes God’s good creation and emphasizes God’s purpose for human beings as loving God, one another, and caring for creation.

2)      WE ARE DAMAGED BY EVIL: Creation is broken because of our desire to be God instead of trusting God and living into our purpose. All of creation is broken! Relationships are broken. Our lives are broken. Communities are broken.

3)      WE ARE RESTORED FOR BETTER: The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ bring us forgiveness and hope and set us on a journey of healing the world.

4)      WE ARE SENT TO HEAL TOGETHER: This is the mission of the church! This, and only this purpose, is the reason the church exists.

Pray about what seems helpful and what seems difficult about this way of describing the

gospel. Pray about how to share the story in your own. Write out your own story of faith. Some helpful ideas to ponder are:

1)      The closest I have felt to God in my life was . . .

2)      If I could thank God for one person or circumstance in my life, it would be . . .

3)      If I could name a turning point in my relationship with God, it would be . . .

4)      How have you responded to a nudge from God?

Tracie notes that John 3:16 is often called “the gospel in a nutshell.”  Reflect on John 3:16 -17.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.