Date: June 8-9, 2013
Message: Your Story Matters!!
Passage: Colossians 4:2-6
INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES
What is your all-time favorite movie? Why?
Leader tip: We are attracted to good stories; encourage the speaker to express why they were captivated by the story specifically. Perhaps ask them to recount a memorable scene. Be listening for themes of salvation and redemption.
Read Colossians 4:3-6
What is Paul requesting prayer for?
- Proclaim clearly; Speak plainly
- That God may open doors
- Courage
- Discernment
- Grace that we may know how to answer everyone
- Speak truth
- Self-awareness
- Wisdom of how to treat others
- Grace
- To make the most of his opportunities
According to Paul, what should our conversations look like?
- Full of grace
- Honoring to the other person
- Posture of listening
Leader tip: Guide your group to recognize the vital role prayer plays when telling their story. A stigma against Christians is that they are unapologetically preachy, but Paul encourages us to pray for discernment on when to listen and speak, and how to be intimately connected to our own story.
Sharing pieces of your testimony with nonbelievers is a spiritual act, it requires submission to prayer before it is engaged in.
OBSERVATION –20 MINUTES
When have you seen people tell their story and it has not been well received?
Leader Tip: By story we are referring to moments in your life were God has clearly intervened and revealed something about his character to you. It may be the moment you initially came to faith or it may be at another point in your journey with Him where you relied on Him and He came through.
Answers you may hear:
- Guys on the street corner with John 3:16 signs
- Testimonies or evangelism that are forced with no relationship or conversation
- Mass Evangelism
- Episodes of inappropriate timing:
- at parties
- funerals—misguided or insincere comfort
In opposition, when have you seen people tell their story and it has been well received?
Answers you may hear:
- During times of God’s prompting
- The homeless gentleman by the side of the road, the woman behind you in line at the grocery store, the family at the campsite next to yours, etc.
- People that you have a relationship with; they view you as a safe source to bridge questions with. They know that you are a Christian by how they have seen you act.
- Ex: Guys you play basketball with, your childhood friends, your neighbors, etc. They are prompted to ask, “what makes you different?”
What characteristics mark the difference between ill and well-received stories?
Leader tip: Coach your group to see the value of listening. Often times we devalue the importance of prayer, context, and relationship.
Goals in sharing a story of faith:
Listen to the speaker in order to find the intersections where your story and experience cross theirs. When you connect with the listener in this way, it gives your interaction meaning.
You are a good steward of your story when you are using wisdom to seek out the questions behind another person’s story.
Be wise, and share stories that are holy-spirit driven through appropriateness and relevancy.
APPLICATION–20 MINUTES
How do you feel about telling your story to someone else?
Leader tip: Encourage your group to see the patterns or insecurities that prevent them from sharing their story with others. Help them to recognize that their story does not have to be intense to have an impact.
Many people:
Don’t believe they have a significant story
Compare the impact value of their story to others
They devalue their own story
If you shared your story in Rooted, what was your experience?
Leader tip: Have your group look back and identify what their expections were and whether they were met or not?
Who are the people you feel called to share your story with?
Leader tip: This may be an instance of God’s prompting that they have been brushing off or are eagerly working towards.
Prayer:
Our gracious God, we come before you humbled and thankful that we do not have to do life alone. We are thankful that you have surrounded us with people and opportunities to share stories of your faithfulness and glory. Give us hearts that long to understand, value, and communicate our own story with hurting and broken people, that they may see the redemption you bring to those who suffer. We pray that your Holy Spirit will enlighten us with the wisdom to know when to listen, when to speak, and when to share our story. Make us aware of the wounds we share with the people we interact with and show us the areas where our stories intersect theirs. Give us the strength and the courage to bestow your loving kindness on our brothers and sisters. Amen
LIVE IT OUT–20 MINUTES
This week, share some of your story of faith with one person.
Leader tip: For those in your group who are apprehensive to share their story, remind them that this exercise is about planting the seeds of faith, not attempting to lead people through to conversion. Listen well, speak wisely.
Prayer:
Our gracious God, we come before you humbled and thankful that we do not have to do life alone. We are thankful that you have surrounded us with people and opportunities to share stories of your faithfulness and glory. Give us hearts that long to understand, value, and communicate our own story with hurting and broken people, that they may see the redemption you bring to those who suffer. We pray that your Holy Spirit will enlighten us with the wisdom to know when to listen, when to speak, and when to share our story. Make us aware of the wounds we share with the people we interact with and show us the areas where our stories intersect theirs. Give us the strength and the courage to bestow your loving kindness on our brothers and sisters. Amen
Leader Challenge: Open your group next week by following up with the challenge of sharing their story. Collect accounts of experiences and share them with your life group directors.