WHAT

Storytelling is the discipline of sharing the story of God’s presence and activity in our lives. Our lives are a series of stories. For instance, throughout the Old Testament, God identifies himself to his people as the God who rescued them from Egypt. There’s a story attached to God’s redemption of their lives. God’s presence and activity in their lives is tangible. God’s people face a challenge and God steps into the tension to bring resolution.

WHY

Learning to tell our story of God’s presence and activity in our lives not only stirs our own faith but sparks it in others. In Mark 5, the Gerasene demoniac is healed by Christ. When the townspeople who knew him as the frightening guy who terrorized his family and community show up and see him clothed and in his right mind, they marvel at the Christ who healed him.

In John 4, when the Samaritan woman at the well has an encounter with Jesus, she runs back to the town to tell everyone about Jesus. With nothing but the story of her encounter with Christ, she rounds up a whole town of people who used to avoid her. They believe her story and follow her to Christ and they themselves are also transformed.

 In John 9, the man born blind is healed and is then interrogated with questions about the subtle nuances about Christ. To what extent is the man who healed you a sinner? To what extent can a sinner heal people? The man born blind but now with restored sight cannot answer any of these questions. “…I do not know” he answers. However, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

HOW

Your story may be a distinct conversion story like that of the Samaritan woman. Or perhaps your story begins with being raised in a Christian home, being baptized as an infant, making a profession of faith as a teenager, but experiencing countless moments of healing and restoration like that of the man born blind. Your story may include a miraculous conversion + healing story like that of the Gerasene demoniac. Whatever the narrative arc of your story, learn the intricacies of your story.

Here are a few questions to get you started…

• How did you come to know Christ?
• What has God rescued you from?
• Where has God brought healing and restoration to your life?
• Where was God in the high moments of your life? How did God bring about triumph?
• Where was God in the low moments of your life? How did God redeem the challenge?

Your B.C./A.D. (Before Christ + After Christ)

• Briefly describe your life before Christ. What was missing, lacking, not working?
• Describe the circumstances that led to your encounter with Christ. How did you encounter Christ?
• Describe what has changed and is changing in your life after meeting Christ. How has Christ added to your life?

FIRST STEP

Begin by prayerfully asking God to show you the stories of your life and begin to record these stories in a journal.