Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: May 4, 2010
Sermon Title: What’s Your Story?
Sermon Text: John 21:24-25
Small Group Text: John 20:30-31 & John 21:24-25
Introduction
What kind of story intrigues you most: made up stories or true stories? The one thing the true story has going for it is reality (in other words, possibility). A true story seems to engage us more than a made up one because it causes us to contemplate the potential impact of the reality upon our own lives. Pinocchio is an entertaining story that teaches a good moral lesson or two. But the true story of Rudy or the Diary of Anne Frank inspires us in ways that a fictional story may not because we can actually place ourselves in the drama. In our passage this week, John acknowledges he has written a true story of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ for the benefit of those who will read it. Let’s see how the true story of your experiences with Christ might also be of benefit to others.
Discussion
Application
Read John 20:30-31 & John 21:24-25 1. According to these passages, what was the purpose of John’s role in writing his experiences with Christ? 2. It has been said that over the past 2,000 years, millions upon millions of volumes have been and continue to be written about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In what sense is this a true statement?
Skeptics debate the validity of Scripture and argue against the legitimacy of Christian apologetics, but no one can argue against your true story. When you express your story of how God has worked in your life, how he has blessed, transformed, and encouraged you, no one can argue or debate it. Your story moves beyond the realm of empirical science into the realm of a personal relationship with God. Historically, Christians have used journaling as a way to preserve their experiences with God. Journals reflect
God’s presence, guidance and saving grace. But reflecting on the activity of God in one’s life takes time. 1. If your life is lived at full throttle all the time, what impact would this pace have on your ability to reflect on your experiences? 2. How might journaling help you slow down long enough to focus on your experiences and God’s guidance in your life? 3. Now, let’s give journaling a try. Read Ephesians 4:29. Pause and ask God to reveal an area in your life where this Scripture may need application. Write your response to this question: How might I be different today because of what I just read? 4. You can journal on your computer, you can journal in a spiral notebook, or consider purchasing a Life Journal this weekend and using it for the next three weeks. See how God might use your role in His story to benefit others.
Sermon-Based Curriculum